Muses and mentors

                             
                             

muse:     someone who is the source of inspiration (for something creative)

mentor: someone who advises or trains

mentors

I have had both muses and mentors, in my life. With healing, in particular. Not so many mentors, but a couple, over the years. I would definitely say that the first two people who taught me healing, over twenty-six years ago, were my mentors. Plus a Maori healer. Ironically it is I who has mentored others who are also healers. And with the yoga, most definitely. Publicly, as a yoga teacher trainer, and with teaching deep spirituality. I am always available on this level for anyone whom I've trained as a yoga teacher, or have taught deep spirituality to, as I firmly believe in being there for people. 

And no, seeing people as a source of income is not true mentoring, in my opinion. Of course we all have to come up with money to pay the rent and so on, and there are instances where I definitely do charge, for that reason. And I don't just hand out, willy-nilly. Not at all. For I also firmly believe that we all need to put in Time. Time teaching, time practicing, time doing whatever it is that one does. Putting in an earnest effort, as I don't just hand out advanced healing methods and knowledge. 

daily life mentors

On a life level, I do have my own 'secret mentors'. People who have no idea whatsoever, that they are secretly 'training' me. These are people who have it all sorted in an area where I do not. And I just take their advice, which I might read about (hello Elizabeth Hurley). Or, I might nosily ask someone something that they have got all sorted out, whereas I haven't. 

At present, I'm looking at restructuring my daily and weekly life. It's a rather full life, and in many ways is just overfill, so I do need to be organised. Which I am. Mostly. But sometimes I am not. And this is one of those times, so I do need to get some things sorted out. I am watching and listening to people whom I think have It All Sorted Out. In fact, they might not, but I as I am after tips at the moment, I just ignore this.

Some things that I am looking at with secret mentors, is organisation so that my life is, well, nice. It is nice, anyway, but why not make it even better?

• I was getting so stressed out about exercise that I stopped it for a week. I want it to be unstressful. So I'm looking at ways and means to make it more pleasant
• my meals have been All Over The Place. I could actually pre-plan this area, and I'm sure that I would save a few dollars doing so
• and talking of money: eeks! some tidying up needed here
• I have been given so many things that I now need a biff-out. Stuff and clutter do not go hand in hand with a nice life, for me
• I'm starting a writing course soon and also want to keep studying te reo Maori during the holidays, so I shall have to be super organised, as
• it's summer! I also need to go beaching 

muses

A muse is quite different from a mentor.  A muse inspires us creatively. But, I wonder, does a muse have to know that they are a muse? I think not. One of my most important healing muses, who had absolutely no idea that he was, was quite a few years ago. It was a male friend and every time that I gave him a clairvoyant reading or healing for him, I honestly would jump up a level as a reader and a healer. We spent quite a bit of time together, it was so magical, and it was a time of accelerated spiritual growth for me. For which I am very grateful. I have had other healing muses, too. And yes, none of them have known that they were. 

But as for me being a muse to someone, I'm not so sure. Maybe a long time ago with yoga, but not now. And being a muse with everyday life? Um. No. 

But anyway, this is a little mihi (thank you and acknowledgement) to all the muses and mentors whom I've known. And that includes you, too, Elizabeth Hurley. 

being independent

                               
                              (teenage years at Nanna's)

a special gift for life

One of the Special Gifts that my years spent living with Nanna, gave me, was independence.  This was totally new to me. Honestly, when there are four or more children, the eldest child, or children, simply have to pull their weight to help share the load. This is just the way that it is. The offshoot of this, is that the eldest do not have time for many things that other children get to do. And my early years most definitely were like this. I was Mum's right hand, so to speak. But, you know, Mum went to a tremendous amount of trouble to make sure that I did occasionally get to do some things that my younger sisters didn't. Sort of like a prize for getting older. And I one hundred percent appreciated this.

So when I went to live with Nanna, Granddad, Margaret, and Dad, having lots of free time was like being Set Free. From many things which go with being the eldest of many. I took as much advantage of this as I could. 

Firstly, there was the beach. Mum used to take us all to the beach. It was a really long way from our home, and we walked. Mum was just so amazing how she went out of her way to do these things, without money. But, at Nanna's, we overlooked the ocean. Trish my new best friend, and I, spent endless hours there, walking, playing in the ocean, cooking in oil to get a tan. As if I actually needed one, being quite brown already in those days!

getting to and from places

Trish and I walked home from Intermediate (middle) school, and then to and from High School, as often as we could. Trust me, these were not short distances. We laughed, told each other secrets, and had a wonderful time. And of course, as we got older, we got to flirt and wave at the boys. Ah, the innocence of being a teenager in those days. Sometimes we would stop at the local hamburger dive to get a small burger. Yep, hamburgers were not humungous in those days. Or a doughnut. From those magical memories, I still love small doughnuts.

If I needed to go anywhere, I had to walk, as Nanna and Granddad did not own a car. Nor did Dad. Or else we all took buses. Or walked and bused. When a (young teenage) child is responsible for getting themselves on and off a bus, train or boat, alone, they develop skills which last them a lifetime. Independence being one of them. I might add that I often would walk long distances to save my bus money for teenage treats.

With all of this new independence, I also had to be home at the right time, and this taught me another kind of personal responsibility. 

I alone, was responsible for myself

This also carried over into my behaviour, homework, and chores. It also taught me to be On Time for things.

a strong work ethic

I was expected to work part-time whilst still at school. I'm quite sure that this was actually Dad's decree, for no-one else pressured me into doing this. And, years after. with his new family, as the children came into their teens, he found work for them during their school holidays.

So, from the age of twelve, I semi-entered the Work Force. I still haven't left it. Hard work and I were already well acquainted all of those years ago, before I went to Nanna's, but now I was getting paid for it! Not much, but still, it was money. Something I had previously seldom had. And it was all mine. I didn't have to share it. 

For a few years, I worked weekends and school holidays at a Trish's father's shop. He made us work hard. And before me, Margaret had, too, for her best friend was Trish's older sister. It was a Milk Bar. A proper one, with booths, and a juke box. I thought I was so grown-up being there. Whenever her Dad wasn't here, we made ourselves outrageous milkshakes from cream, ice-cream and tons of flavoured sugar syrup. I loved creaming soda, and chocolate. 

Then after that, Dad found work for me in the school holidays serving in a bakery shop. He worked there, baking the bread and delivering the goods. I can honestly say that without Trish, and the creamshakes, it wasn't so enjoyable. And I also had to find my own way there and back. No hand-outs nor help from Dad, but my parents and Grandparents, each, in their way, inadvertently taught me that Life was not about being given things and having everything done for me. I am so grateful for this. 

There is tremendous freedom in being independent. In being one's own surety. 

still organising. or not.

                    

the thing about choices and routines

Sometimes I feel that this is all one ever does in a life. Work; cook; clean; shop; and organise it all. Which is not very rewarding. But, we do need a background to our life. Well, I do. Some sort of background rhythm which makes life flow easier. Even though it's a bit boring doing this.

I've found that I just don't make so many bad daily choices when I have some systems in place, and don't have to make so many little decisions. So part of it is just being practical. 

I don't want to waste my life on little decisions. I want my life to mean more than that. And this is another reason why I so believe in having little routines. So that I have more choices energy for making the important decisions. 

I always used to just get up and do everything first thing in the morning. But now I've learnt to do some things in the evening to prepare for the next day, just to reduce stress. I have always been a person who thrives on routine. From many years of teaching yoga, I learnt how our hormones love routine, and that a healthy hormonal system equals a happier body and mind. Our circadian rhythms love regularity, too. We just thrive better with some Order in our life.

So, I'm currently having a ponder and experimenting with and about little routines To Make Life Nicer. And why not? Theoretically, I now have the time for this. The irony is that I seem to have a wee problem in that I am always filling in nearly all of my time with Things To Do, so that "me" things fall by the wayside. A personality quirk. 

spring woes

I have spent two weeks exhausted and with weeping, sore eyes, bad vision, sniffling nose, and a sore head. All of my Best Laid Plans Of Mice and Men, going awry. I felt so unwell. Just when I was about to go to a doctor, worried that I could be mysteriously seriously ill, and I was also coming down with a severe case of hypochondria, a friend reminded me that I get hay-fever (embarrassment to have forgotten!)

I have been all over the place with hay fever; it is incredibly debilitating. In class I just keep hoping that I am not asked any questions as I also have brain fog with this hay fever.  Mine is from privet mostly but for sure it's other pollens, too. 

I love books

Yes, I do. I'll often buy them at an Op shop or charity book sale for just one dollar each, have a read, then return them. I love vintage and retro books. It's just a little pleasure, and fits in with my love of not wasting resources. But, it does mean that every month or so, I have to be quite ruthless and have a clear out of them. When I get really anal, I have them all grouped together in subjects in my bookcases. 

In my early years, money was so tight, but Mum managed to get us the occasional comic. Shared among five little girls. Every year I would win a book prize at school, and later at church. Usually The Brothers Grimm, those fantastically somewhat macabre children's books. They left me with some weird ideas about life, I can tell you! And a permanent desire for red shoes (you have to have read the stories to understand). Decades later, I discovered that Mum had kept all of those books that I had won, and a young niece owned them. 

We also had a dictionary. At least two of us read it avidly, simply because there wasn't much else to read. I leave out my Maori workbooks by Scotty Morrison to browse, in the same way.

My first two children, I always took them to the library. It was free (yay) and I always wanted them to have that same love of reading. My eldest daughter, when she was young, most of the children's movies that I took her to, left her sad and disappointed, as they were never as good as the books that they came from. 

culling and cherishing

These are somethings that I've also been doing for most of this year. Removing myself from situations where I am uneasy, or not feeling good. It has been a long process. Now I am more in prevention mode. Recognising my own patterns, being aware of how things and people affect me. It has taken a long time to come to this, as I am really soft hearted. And I prefer to be this way. But I also prefer to be happy, so it has been a bit necessary to be a bit tougher with myself. And it has left me with more time to cherish. And I feel that this area of life, the culling and cherishing, is so important. I definitely feel that it fits in with organising one's life. In a most important way. 

when problems disappear

                            

Suddenly it just happens....

boom! A whole pile of problems just disappear into the ether. But, is it the problems going, or our emotional "stuff" to do with them?

where do they disappear to?

Chuckle. I don't know. But they do. Or rather, our deep seated feelings about them do. Just go, that is. And as to where, well, I don't know. But always, for myself, I am so glad when they do. 

I was working on a close friend, recently, doing a healing session for them. And suddenly there it was. In my face. taunting me. I just resolutely kept ignoring it, brushing it aside, and kept going with the healing. And in that moment, it was gone. I was no longer affected. 

Freaking wow. Thank you Universe, or The Powers That
Be. Whomsoever, or whatsoever.

how does it happen?

As a healer, when I am working on someone, I completely understand the process. But it is, I feel, so much harder to heal oneself, on one's own. I honestly feel that when the time is right, that there is a wee window of opportunity for things to happen. And that all sorts of unseen forces create the space. 

• we might just have a life changing epiphany, an understanding about some deep angst, which completely changes us
• a person might be going to a therapist
• or a healer
• we can even realise that we are just simply Over Something.

No more "trying" to be unaffected; we just are. Over. It. And this is what happened to me. In a heartbeat.

As a healer and clairvoyant, I know in my heart that we must each walk our own journey. Others may reach out a hand here and there, but it is our Path to traverse. I, for one, am so grateful to all of the people in my lifetime who have so freely given me help when I needed it. 

I did aura healing for fifteen years before becoming involved in Maori healing. So, aura healing is quite ethereal: love, light and happiness. Very little physical contact. Very profound. To be honest, originally I was only interested in the deep ancient spirituality of Maori. But, my teacher insisted that I also do the healing modality. It took me a while to get my head around it all, as it was so different from aura healing.

Maori healing is much more physical than what I had been previously doing. I was so hurting emotionally when I first started with this new way (new to me), that I couldn't cope with being touched. Luckily I had a good teacher who respected this. I now sort of enjoy it. Being poked and manipulated and I love the way that it releases present life trauma. I also just love doing it. And I love it because things which have been causing us heartbreak... they just disappear. Into the ether. During a healing session.

Thank you Universe.

being different

                        

myself: Donene, eldest child: Taynith, Nanna: Vera Inch, Granddad: Lawrence Inch, Dad: Don Inch

being different in my early years

Growing up, I was always The Little Brown Girl, wherever I went. I looked different. I felt different. And guess what? I was often treated differently by people outside of my family and my parents circle. And not usually in a good way.

But when I went to live with Nanna, all of this changed. Although I looked different, I never, ever, was treated as such. Not by my new friends, nor the neighbours. And of course, not by my new family. I was just accepted as I was. This gave me tremendous confidence. I felt alive. I didn't feel as though I had to hide in the background anymore. I finally felt as though I was just fine just the way that I was.

And, I learnt at my new home, that being different was okay. Mainly by my grandfather's example.  Granddad was quite a different sort of person. He did not conform to society's norms.

my beloved grandfather

He was quite a brilliant man.

Granddad was a Barrister, so he was often in the Law Courts, representing his clients. Decades after living with my grandparents, I was teaching yoga to two older lawyers. I was given some strong mana just by virtue of being Lawrence Inch's grand-daughter. It seemed as though Granddad was quite revered by these lawyers, who were more than forty years younger than he.

Mana is a type of "power", or "prestige" that we carry. It can be earned, carried over through the family line (such as me being Lawrence Inch's granddaughter), or earned. Mana is an honorable energy.

Granddad was a softie. He often took on cases where there really wasn't payment involved. Which of course, impacted our family finances. But, you know, in my own young and impressionable way, I realised that income wasn't all about money. Sometimes it involved work done for other reasons. I could see that Granddad felt good about being that person, and this affected me quite strongly. So, as a healer, I have always made space in my life to work on those who are in need of healing, and who don't have money. I am quite discriminating about it, but it is a creed that I have always lived by: giving back. And it was my grandfather's quiet influence which generated this.

When Granddad retired, he was asked to "put together" an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). It was to be a very different system, innovative. At that time, New Zealand was still a strong socialist country. ACC is a no-fault accidental injury scheme, providing financial support for accidents. So, all businesses pay into it, including sole traders, exercise teachers, gardeners, and so forth. It has become a massive "entity" in this country, and without it, gosh, I don't even want to imagine that.

I asked Granddad how he became a lawyer, which was in the last days of parchment and copperplate (his words)  He said that he worked as a law clerk by day, and studied at night to become a lawyer. When I naively remarked "that must have been hard too do", he just smiled at me and replied:

"you can do anything if you put your mind to it"

I took this on board as another Life Creed. I have done many things in my life, without much money.  And certainly very little encouragement. Quite the opposite really. And I just put my mind to something, and keep it on what I'm doing. 

Thank-you, Granddad.

different, but in a cultured way

Both of my grandparents were passionate golfers. Here I failed most miserably as a granddaughter, For, I would often hear them chatting excitedly to each other about "birdies" and "bogeys", and I simply could not understand what they were talking about. Nor why it made them so excited. I still don't. 

Granddad often wore plus fours ( an old fashioned type of English golfing trousers) and a cloth peaked cap with his knitted vest, shirt and tweed jacket. I can definitely tell you that no-one else dressed like that. I used to wonder if he sometimes wore those to go to "The Club", but on adult reflection, it would have been straight from the golf course.  Sometimes he would arrive home late for dinner, and grinning broadly. (drinkies!) In an era where people, especially men, drank to excess, I never once saw Granddad over imbibing.

He would take Margaret to a pantomime each year, and when I was twelve, of course, I got to go too. I loved it! Even if Granddad listened to the races with his earphones on throughout. Yep, no-one else did that either. It was such an exciting night for me. Someone whom I knew from school was the lead actress. She was only eleven. I was so impressionable. I was like: oh, so

people can do extra things with their time. Things that they love doing 

I hadn't known that. I took this on board, too.

alternative food tendencies

Granddad got up early every morning and had a cold bath. Then if it was fine, he would sit outside on the verandah that he had made, and eat the same breakfast before work. On his tray were always tea, molasses, butter, toast, a spread, and Epsom salts. It never varied. He had a healthfood raw food book which I eagerly devoured. Remember, I was this little girl who hadn't gotten to do much, who loved to read, and had entered A New Life. When my second child was born, and had allergies, I remembered Granddad's alternative ways, and became a Health Food enthusiast. I'm sure that it saved my baby's life.

Granddad was a poet

During The Great Depression, Granddad travelled around, earning money as a journalist. Which became his livelihood for twenty years. Then he returned to law. He wrote beautiful poetry. His children arranged to have some of his poems made into a book:

My Scrip Of Joy: Lawrence Inch

Inside the cover, he says:

his cry is for spontaneity and sincerity, simplicity and clear expression

Life is for living. Seeming is not being

The poems are those of a deeply spiritual man, and some are  about his beloved Taranaki, where he grew up. Granddad was not religious at all, but spiritual. When I was living in an Ashram, bald head, orange robes, following a lifelong spiritual quest. I went to see him and asked: Granddad why do you write about higher consciousness? He was so happy that I had noticed that and that I wanted to know the story behind it. He replied that he had drowned in a rock pool at the seaside when he was but five, and during this, he had experienced infinity. (At five!)

This, and growing up with a gentle mother who later became a Christian Scientist, and a father who was immersed in Maoritanga, made for a different kind of person. 

Plus the brilliance. I feel that it probably came from his father, and has appeared in many of the family:

quirkiness, and/or brilliance. We have a poet, an amazing artist, brilliance at maths, brilliant astrologer, he has a great, great grandchild who is almost a genius at languages (passed down through the DNA from Granddad's father), and these are only the ones that I know of. There is also a strange type of nerdism, which is quite prevalent. I have this myself, and spirituality is the path that I followed with it. I do feel that this tendency was from Granddad.

Thank you Granddad. Tears in my eyes and heart as I write all of this. Forever grateful.

what blocks our dreams and goals?

                                 

I'm joining in with Fiona Ferris from Howtobechic. She is doing an end of year project, which for Fiona is decluttering and organising her life and home. We are on to week two. (I actually am a week behind on this blog).

Fiona suggests two steps to start with: 

• decide what your project is
• and what is getting in the way of your desired vision

Often we are not even clear of what we want to do, let about think about what is stopping or hindering us. I am no different.

Fiona is doing this, in connection with having the home and life that she desires. Which she already has, but it's the functional living details which she says are in need of tidying up. You know, clearing out and tidying rooms, things we would like to do around the house, hobbies, clothes - the list can be endless really.

So what are our dreams and goals?

Sometimes, in fact many times, in my life, what I wanted wasn't a priority. These times happen. And, for me, it would be an unrewarding life if it was only about moi. One of the reasons I like to join in with Fiona is that in her own life, it's not just all about her either.

But, I do have hopes, dreams, and goals. It's coming to mid-October now, and my main focus for the rest of the year, is on:

• studying and doing my te reo Maori course. Only eight more weeks to go (panic!) Two more oral tests. Lots of singing. Loudly. More language structure. There have been so many obstacles for me to do deal with during the time that I have been studying, but I still managed to keep on going.

Being quietly determined is what I am like. I might get a bit "down", insecure, but I will and do, keep on going. When I had just started my classes, I turned up one morning in tears from some bullying which I had been receiving. Not from the classes, from elsewhere. My teacher told me  "never let anyone stop you from what you are doing." I took this advice on board, and just kept turning up, trying hard. And I'm going back next year for the next two levels at night classes.

• I do have a couple of "secret" projects that I am working on. I have found that often it's best not to announce my intentions. Hopefully when my classes are finished for this year, I can work even more on these
• I'm working more on my blogs. Making new connections. On my other blog I'm going through some old yoga scriptures and translating them in a very user friendly practical way. And hopefully dispelling some myths. It seems to be a rite of passage for older yoga teachers to do this
• I'm working on my weight, fitness, health, and such. Making quiet adjustments to my lifestyle. I think that this will take a while. I was going full steam ahead at the beginning of 2018, and I'm still not happy at the obstacles which later blocked this. 
• I don't need to work on my healing business, as people contact me from goodness-knows-where for my services.  This didn't happen when I was living in a situation where I could not have regular clients. Which was quite difficult financially, (this is an understatement!) and very frustrating. But now that I am in my new abode, it's 100% full steam ahead

So, that's me. 

what is getting in the way of the desired vision/s?

(aside from moi-self, that is!)

The current "blocks" for me with te reo Maori, my projects, and blogs, are all, at the moment, to do with: 

• time. At the moment, my life is finding it hard to fit into the hours available. 
• and organisation. I am that person who needs visual reminders, and structure. Without these two, I am "all over the place". So I need to, you know, get up at such and such a time, eat at this time, sleep at this time. I know that this can be boring for many people, but it does enable me to Get Things Done.  

How I intend to  deal with these is:

• have a couple of fixed days and nights for healing appointments
• I've been getting up early to study, as this seems to be the best time for me to learn. I have whatever I am studying out on my desk-table before I go to bed. So that as I walk past and see it all, I have a big reminder. Then I quickly "see" myself doing it. I end up doing it pronto, and it sets me up for class that day
• followed by some exercise. I'm not really doing enough so I shall just wait till the end of my course, this year, to add more. I'll have more time, then
• I have been organising myself on the food front, so that I have the foods that suit moi, at home, to keep me healthy. And (mostly) I've cut at sugar. But, at regular times, I can still hear the siren song of that annoying sugar, calling me, seducing me. Mostly I have been able to resist. I'm also having as many meals as possible at home
• I've moved my writing time to later in the day, and evenings, as it all flows better for me at this time. I found that early morning writing was using up my mental work time, and it was then too hard to switch to te reo in class each morning. And it seems that we are more creative when our mental energy is down, which for me is afternoons. When I put away my te reo study books (into my giant "school" bag), after morning study, I simultaneously put my computer on my desk right where I can't miss seeing it. My desk is small, antique, has a wooden intricate inlay on it's top surface. I love it. A gift from a friend (thanks Jenny)

So, is this a good time for you to look at

• decluttering and organising?
• your dreams, goals? I think that dreams and goals do fit into decluttering and organising. In fact, I can't even start anything until I've "cleared the decks"
• what is stopping your goals, organisation, decluttering, whatever?

Sometimes we just need to put a wee bit of thought into these things. Clarify them. 

The Great Declutter and Reorganise

                 

A few years ago, I was moving house. I was so overwhelmed. So, each afternoon, I'd sit in a worried stupor in front of tv, feeling immobilised, unable to sort, clear and pack. And I kid you not, there was always a hoarder programme on! Talk about getting to me. I'd move really fast afterwards, biffing, packing and cleaning. It was bizarre. I didn't have much, but had been there seven years and a daughter had lived there too for three years, so we had a few more belongings than we needed (to be polite). It was a turning point in my decluttering habits, as, even though I hadn't accrued much, I wasn't clearing out often enough.

my new moi programme

I have joined in on fellow kiwi blogger Fiona Ferris of howtobechic.com, her end of year project of getting everything in her life, including herself, decluttered and organised. To put it briefly.

I love Fiona's blog and joined in with her, a couple of years ago, for a month of Being Chic, which I really enjoyed. It was fun, and made me realise how I'd like to externally express myself, with clothes and also, my home.

But now it's The Great Sort Out. And don't ask me why I decided to start this on birthday week and celebrations. Only Christmas could have been a worse time.  Things have come into my sparsely decorated abode: skin care, make-up, lotions, a vintage spice shelf thingey, a book, and an antique washstand (which I am in love with) and large painting are soon to arrive. Not to mention second hand books and library books.

It's like, I made The Big Sort Out decision, and all of this Stuff poured into my home. Lucky me, actually, it's all lovely gifts.

I am very visual, and decluttering has to be a way of life for me, as mess disturbs me visually. And I find it invasive when there are too many belongings which are taking up all of the room available. Because I am more introverted, I am very aware of my need for space, as in not filling up walls, surfaces, and floors, with belongings. And stuff everywhere is also visual distracting, to me.  I can't write nor study in such a scenario. I know that everyone is not this way, but I am. 

Trust me, if you've decluttered fairly often, as a matter of course, and then suddenly have to move house, it's w-a-y easier, than if one has been hunter-gathering "stuff", without also biffing. 

so, how do we get started?

first, declutter

• Clear the decks. 
• Tidy up before I start. Well, I don't have too many belongings, including dishes, so that's the easy part. In other words, tidy the home. It's the pits trying to sort out things when there is mess everywhere.

Sorting out belongings can be stressful. It's not just the useless stuff that we are going through, and then (hopefully) throwing away; it's also deciding what memories to keep. 

• So maybe, it's first and foremost: make it as easy as you can. 
• And, another of my own hints is: don't do everything all at once. It's just too overwhelming. Why not just do it more often?

it helps to declutter, often

I've done this for quite a few years now, mainly because of the reasons I gave (and the house moving episode). And I get "down" when everything is crowded. So, I automatically do my decluttering regularly. It really takes the pressure off, and becomes effortless. 

My main area of gathering is with second hand books. Those I love, I keep, but I also "pass on" any that I have no real "need" for (hehe, there is no "need" with me, I just keep those I love), go back to the op-shop.

But how do we declutter often, or even on an ongoing basis? Easily? My friend Trish, has such a clean and tidy home. I get a tad envious as it all looks so elegant. Her advice, which actually is very old-fashioned, but still totally relevant, is:

• leave a room as you find it. I am assuming that the room was clean and tidy to begin with.
• tidy up as you go. This is as simple as:

• cleaning and putting away as you cook
• doing dishes after a meal
• making your bed early in the day
• putting clothes in the laundry basket as you take them off
• keeping on top of washing. Everyday, if necessary
• giving the bathroom and toilet a quick wipe each day

All easy chores, which help to make our homes lovely and welcoming. If we do these quickly, moving a bit faster, it can become a habit. Then, when some more thorough cleaning is needed, it's easier, because the basics are always done. And, I find that it's just a nicer way to live. 

I can get a bit untidy when it's just me, so I make myself keep on top of things. Sometimes all of these  quick daily chores don't happen, but as no life is perfect, I'm okay with this. I also like to "air" the house, by opening doors and windows, which of course makes everything smell nice, too. 

the op-shops and moi

I always have a shopping bag for books and clothes to take to the op-shop, which now lives in my hall cupboard. Honestly, just this one habit makes decluttering so easy. As I move about my daily life, I just pop any belongings that I no longer need, into that bag. 

And when I go through my two clothes storage boxes at the beginning of each season, as I take clothes out and also as I'm storing clothes from the season just past, I always, absolutely always, have a wee biff out then, as well. 

My best clothes biff-outs have been joyous occasions, for they have happened when I've been gifted some nice (pre-loved) clothes.

None of my hints are rocket science. Do you have a system for dealing with belongings? I love hearing other people's ideas, and (ahem) "borrowing" them.