Plan B - more room, inside and out

more room by rachel awes

I recently came across (as one does sometimes when browsing randomly) a new-to-me blog called All I did was Listen, the lovely online space of Rachel Awes. I was immediately entranced by Rachel's whimsical drawings and heart-rich musings - each and every one beautiful and special. The drawing above particularly struck a chord with me and as soon as Rachel opened her Etsy shop, I had to order one. It so reflects where I am right now - ready to make more room, inside and out.

Firstly, the outside space: A confluence of lucky factors means that I will be moving into a new apartment towards the end of April. I'm very excited about this as it will be the start of a new phase for me and I'll no longer be sharing my living space with anyone at all. My current housemate and I have had a great innings and I've enjoyed living here but I'm ready, willing, and now able to enjoy a place entirely to myself. I know that moving house is considered quite a stressful experience but I'm actually looking forward to packing up and then unpacking and settling in to my new space. It will be fun. An adventure. I've moved many, many, many times in my life so this is not an upheaval that fazes me but somehow this feels so different. Not having to consider anyone's needs or tastes but my own. At all. It will be the first time in more than twenty years that this has been the case and I'm incredibly energised at the thought. Terribly selfish I know, but true. It may not be forever, it may not even last very long, and that's fine (I like sharing my space too and am always happy to have loved ones to stay) but for now... I can't wait.

It will also provide a great opportunity for me to sift through my belongings and declutter, and I'm looking forward to that too. I've accumulated a lot of stuff considering the tiny space I currently have and I know it could do with a bit of paring down. They're not large items but there are lots of them. I no longer own much furniture (I let most of that go when my husband and I parted ways and my current apartment is let partially furnished so there's been no need to buy any) and I have no real inclination to acquire more now. Ikea will provide the fundamentals and I have some lovely decorative bits that I've collected over years on my travels that will add colour and texture. I envisage a bed, a few floor cushions, piles of books, some pretty personal details, lots of fresh flowers... and not much else. At least to begin with. I see my new style being something along the lines of stripped-back zen minimalism crossed with student make-do chic and bohemian jewel-rich comfort. I quite like the mix.

And on the inside: This process of clearing stuff will be good for this too - more room inside. I intend to take with me only things I love. Things that have good associations. Nothing that reminds me of times or people or states of mind that no longer serve me well or don't make me happy. I don't have much that falls into this category but enough to make this a worthwhile exercise. 

I've held on to things that represent memories I no longer want to carry with me so this juncture is also an opportunity to leave behind some emotional clutter and create more room for good stuff. I'm looking forward to that too. More than anything.

As my travel plans have not worked out the way I'd hoped, I'm intending now to use some of my leave to start this process of sorting and clearing and packing. Perhaps this is one of the good things to come out of having that dream denied right now - the space to move on more quickly than I'd anticipated with another. Plan B unfolds. 

Wishing you a very happy Friday with all the room, inside and out, that your plans require!

♥