Just for you!
Nothing New: Lesson Learned
When at the beginning of this year Sash at Inked in Colour started her Nothing New project, I was in the process of managing and sorting our household possessions and so I thought to myself, I’ll join her. Our drawers and wardrobes were full, our cupboards were full and despite my decluttering efforts, with all the new stuff that comes with having a growing up baby, I still felt really bogged down. I felt that the Nothing New project is a perfect solution for our family and I really didn’t think that having new items would in any way add to the quality of our existence.
To firm up my resolution I decided to save the money that I would otherwise spend on my clothes and other small temptations and give them to charity towards the end of this year. Marathon runners do it. They train, they run, they sweat and they raise funds. I thought I would exercise my strong will and I’ll do the same. In the village where I grew up generosity has always been seen as a core value. I would not feel at ease with myself if I did otherwise. After all, this project is not only about buying nothing new but also about sharing. These were my purposes: decluttering and sharing – but actually there are other things at stake here… things that I have just recently learnt to fully appreciate…
There is something disconcerting about human nature and this is our capacity and tendency to neglect the old when the prospect of the new emerges… I’ve seen it many times… you must have too. Stopping the inflow of new items into your house makes you really aware of it, makes it all overt.
Perhaps the most wonderful side effect of the Nothing New project is that it makes you more caring. You care about what’s at your hand, about what’s present and about what’s around you. You care and you take pride in it because you are making a visible difference to what’s just next to you, to your surroundings and you train yourself to make the best and long-lasting use of it. You learn to truly and wholeheartedly love…
…the environment.
You don’t want to consume mindlessly or you just don’t want to consume like you used to…
…it’s no longer a comfortable norm to follow.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” —Jane Goodall
Careful Caring
Someone reminded me of this post today… and I am so happy they did… I though I’ll share it with you again… It’s one of those that I should be reading to myself every day…
When you have a child you think a lot about caring. You do it and you question it too. Am I doing it right? Is this how I should be looking after a child who’s ten months, one year, a year and a half, two or 16? The wondering never stops. You always look for answers. And oh yes… there are so many people, books, gurus or even companies and organizations that are delighted to tell you how to do it… naturally recommending their own preferred ways.
When you are new to the role and utterly shattered it’s all too easy to go for those choices… to be swayed by persuasion of almost anyone… and this happens precisely because you truly love and you truly care… and thus you are truly willing to extend yourselves and make those steps and sacrifices that are often prescribed as necessary and crucial for…
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There is food, there is fire, and there is a teddy bear… home it is, my friends… home (A collection of photographs)
There is food, there is fire, and there is a teddy bear… home it is, my friends… home.
Travelling with a toddler (by plane): a checklist
A while ago I created for myself this checklist of items to pack when I travel by plane with my toddler son. It saves me from those last-minute panics and it has proved really helpful during my last two plane trips. A friend of mine who is taking a longer plane trip with her daughter soon thought it would be a good idea to post it here. Some mums may find it useful. Of course every mum knows their child’s preferences best and should trust their instinct and judgement first so use this checklist as a memory aid rather than a must-have list of items.
The items that I found indispensable were:
1. The reins. My little boy kept running towards escalators and all sorts of conveyor belts. The reins helped me keep him close to me. I didn’t need to run after him or leave my baggage unattended.
2. Milk and other drinks for the child. Helps the child to deal with changes in air pressure during the flight.
3. The toddler’s favourite food. Travel is stressful for the toddler and the parents, familiar food brings comfort and reduces anxiety associated with change in the environment and new people’s faces.
4. Walkman (or ipad – I don’t have one but my friend does so do take it if you have it), something to colour in, various books – very useful for long flights when lots of sitting in one place is required.
5. Change of clothes for yourself and the baby – things happen during the flight.
6. Tissues – again just because things happen.
Other advice:
Try to have two bags of hand luggage prepared. One that you can safely place in the overhead lockers above your head and a smaller one with baby items that will be at your feet throughout the flight. You must be able to grab the drink for the baby even if the seat-belt sign is on.
Enjoy your holiday!
Postcards Without Stamps 