Declutter and be free......

Over the past week I have felt a certain shift in my life. To simplify things. To get rid of all the clutter in my home and surrounding me. 

As I enter a new phase in my life with impending study (and more balls to somehow juggle) I had an overwhelming urge to get my home in order, to start this new chapter afresh. 

Let me tell you, I have plenty of clutter! I'm sentimental, I hold onto things, lots and lots of things that are all so dear to my heart, but when I thought about it more its the feelings and the memories that these objects evoke.  I knew they had to be thrown out,  so as a compromise I have taken a picture of all of the things that previously I couldn't part with. A moment in time, and  now they are gone. The picture will still remain on my computers hard drive if I choose to look for it.  Its not the same, but at least I can reconnect with that memory whenever I want without it taking up the space it did. 

Its so very cleansing to get rid of so much stuff. To remove much of the material things from my home, to and really rid myself of all this baggage. 

Because that's exactly what it all is, baggage that is weighing me down.  

Today I was going through shelves in my wardrobe, which to be honest haven't been touched since I moved in, over 3 years ago. 

When Darby and I moved into our little unit  it was such a roller coaster time, that I couldn't deal with some of the unpacking of my former life. So in the bags on the shelves they have remained. I'm not sure if it was  psychological that I just wasn't yet ready to unpack back then or just that I didn't need these things anymore. Whatever the reason it  all had to go! 

I can't keep bringing new into my life if the old still remains. The old has to be set free. So cupboard by cupboard, drawer by drawer. I have been getting rid of mess, of rubbish, of things that are no longer necessary in my life. 

I have donated multiple bags of clothes, shoes and bags to charity. I have thrown out old makeup and letters and cards and useless bits of paper. I have got rid of food I don't eat, cleaning products I don't use anymore (well donated to Darby's dad!!)

When does one ever get time to wear their entire wardrobe. There are plenty of the "when I fit in to that etc " but I am not in that mindset anymore. I want to wear the things that fit me right now, so all of the too small stuff just had to go. Downsizing my wardrobe has been a very cleansing experience. 

And then once the bedroom was done, it was on to the kitchen and laundry, bathroom. 

 

I have come to realise that to be happy, I do not need much in my life. I have all the essentials. I have a roof over my head, I have food, water and plenty of clothes and most importantly I have Darby. And really that is all  that I need to be happy.

And now  that brings me to the subject of my blog.  I feel at  the moment, maybe its time to close its little door too.  To let go of the baggage that is stored within it.  It  has served a beautiful  purpose for me over the last 3 years.  I have cleansed and healed and renewed. I am a completeley different person to who I was back then.
It has brought some magical and amazing people into my life. The people I often think of first now. They are part of my life now and that will not change whether I have a blog or not.

I have had the feeling for quite awhile that its  time for a bit of a change, a shift in my focus. Its  been happening naturally over these past 3 years and it feels like the right time. With massive change in life come massive growth.  A change in my perceptions, lifestyle and my  health.

The changes are still occurring and that's the exciting part.  I'm not closing the online door forever,  I can see that I will be back somewhere in some shape or form (hopefully soon). Just not as Java Jane anymore.

So there it is, a post about de-cluttering which so happens to be my last post  on this blog.  A little sad to say goodbye, but exciting at what the future may have in store for me.

Love and light
Java Jane
 

Adventures of June

What an extraordinary start to Winter. Its funny to think that in one short month I have made some  exciting and scary life changes.  I call it putting destiny in my own hands.

Now when I look back over June I would have to say it was my greatest month so far this year.

I have dreaded June for oh so long, but I think I am past all of that now. I approached it from such a different mindset and although I did let myself grieve a little for the life lost, I embraced all the the remarkable things that are happening in my life too.

In embracing this new found zest, I found that I had some confidence, not much, but just enough to make some big big changes of the serious risk taking kind.   I have tried new and wondrous things.
I have stepped way out of the border of that comfort zone I have myself imprisoned in and have enjoyed so many new adventures.

I know life is going to get tremendously busy  and much trickier to navigate, but to be honest I wouldn't have it any other way.

I want to make sure I have memories of each month, as I can see the rest of this year is going to be swallowed up with work/study/parenting/sleep on repeat.  So I thought I would start to document my favourite moments of each month to remind myself of all the wonder in my life. 

Here are a few of my favourite June moments...

~ I got all dressed up with my gorgeous friend to see the Great Gatsby. We were supporting a local charity "Women of the West",  more specifically for  Women's Health West,  who are based in Footscray. These amazing ladies are committed to improving equity and justice for women in Melbourne’s western region. They provide shelter for women and their children escaping family violence.  Such a great cause to get behind. We couldn't not go! 

I also loved seeing my favourite book made into a film. The story always breaks my heart, but I do still think I like the Robert Redford/Mia Farrow version better!

~ Spending time with my dear friend Pip, from Bub, Sweat and Tears. We attended the Mind, Body Spirit festival in Melbourne. Not everything there was for us, but we sought out the things that we wanted and came away with some great products. My favourite was the Cacao Cashew Clusters. An amazing sweet treat and energy booster in one!  You only need a small handful to get rid of any sweet cravings! 

I just love spending time with great friends, I love the laughter and energy and I come away feeling so rejuvenated and inspired. 

~ My little guy is growing so damn fast. It wasn't all that long ago he couldn't write a thing and now he is writing the names of his favourite superheroes! Bless his little heart! Soon he will be writing his own stories!  He has a glorious little imagination, I cannot wait to see where his writing will take him. 

~ I spent two Saturdays of June going to local Farmers markets in my area. I am so lucky that my local one is right across the road from me. I love to go and wander, Darby gets his face painted and I pick up some yummy local produce. 

My sister and I went to the Ceres Farmers market in Brunswick. It has a brilliant array of produce and awesome health food shop on site as well. 

~ Afternoons out with my little guy.  Every week he grows some more and I am trying to take in his 5 year old soul for as long as possible, before long he will be at birthday number 6 (gulp). 

~ We had our first parent teacher interview. It was a time for us to hear what the teacher had to say about Darby's progress at school.   I was a little scared,  I feel like it wasn't that long ago that my mum was going to my interviews!

These  were some of  the words his teacher used to describe him -   delightful, compassionate, cheeky, a beautiful heart, resilient, adaptable to change, all reflective of how he must have been bought up.   My heart swelled  and although I had to fight back the tears, I felt a little bit proud.

~ I helped my gorgeous sister move into the most stunning apartment.  It has character and warmth and I now love spending time there. It is even closer to me which is an extra bonus! I have spent so much time there now, it is like my second home. 

~ I made the most of the plethora of health books and dvds my sister has and started reading and watching in any spare moment I had. My favourites were Food Matters, Hungry for Change and Lets be Frank. All motivational and all leading me to some big decisions about what I want to do!

~ I discovered a love for Spirulina, I started taking this in May to help cure my cold, and I have been addicted ever since. My energy levels are so much higher and I really notice it if I haven't had it for a day!

~ Darby and I began meditating. Thanks to some recommendations from the lovely and wise Amelia at Nurture and Shine  I finally downloaded some apps on my phone.  Darby likes the Smiling Mind, whereas I prefer Headspace (I love the sound of the guys voice!)  We haven't looked back really, although we need to do them more in the day time to relax our mind, instead of in bed as we often both just nod off to sleep.

~ It took me a long time to discover my local Japanese restaurant, but I am so glad I did. I have become rather addicted. Their sushi is the best I have had, fresh and nutritious and the Miso soup is so nourishing and warming, I have fallen for it hard. Luckily Darby has adopted Japanese as his favourite food too. We have been here a few times for dinner now, its very popular in the area and you have to book ahead. 

http://www.ajitoya.com.au

~Lastly I took the plunge and applied for  the course I had been wanting to do for so long. It felt so right and I now feel complete. 

I am eager to start, even though I am petrified of the unknown, and how I will manage it with everything else, the time is just right and there is no point holding back now! I'm going to give it a good old crack! I have overcome other challenges in life, and this is just another one.

I just have to have the end game in sight to keep me motivated along the way. I think a vision board is calling my name! 

Until next time...