I’ve moved house! For so many years living out of a suitcase, lugging my life around with me on my back and dreaming of having an actual wardrobe I am SO utterly excited at being able to move into one place and making it my own. Or should I say our own … as it is also the first place I’m officially living in with my new man. Yep. This jilted bride has got herself a fella. Whoop whoop.
But less about that and more about the move as it’s got me thinking how much I crave a routine. I know, I know, I’m such a contradiction in terms. I get annoyed at myself sometimes because of this too!
Don’t get me wrong I LOVE the freedom that travel gives you, the addictive taste of selfishness that you get when on the road knowing that wherever you wake up you can do whatever the hell you want with your day.
But, I also love the safety and security of having your things in one lovely place when you’re not jet-setting. A place where everything has a home and you can close the door, shut the curtains and just be.
The older I get the more I realise that this nomadic lifestyle can only be maintained (at least, for me) if I have a base, if I enforce routine on myself and if I have more structure in my day to allow me to achieve all the things I dream of.
Being a writer with set deadlines means I have to have an element of routine even if this word makes me itch with cold sweats. I need a quite space where I can focus on creating the best novels that I can and not always be on the move to achieve this.
Routine isn’t something to be feared or dismissed. Yes, I believe that if you NEVER change things up then life/relationships/work will get stale and boring very quickly but a basic routine is what many successful people swear by. My issue is that all of this goes against how I am when I travel, when I see where the days take me with minimal planning as possible. Having to adjust to this is what I’m currently struggling with.
Please don’t get me wrong - I am so lucky to be able to be in this position but sometimes being self-employed isn’t the lie-ins, lack of a sweaty commute or pj days many people think it is. It can be lonely, overwhelming and difficult to stick to the direction of all the tasks you need to do with no idea how to do them.
Because I work from home I have to be so motivated and strict with myself to not turn on the TV, to get my bum at my desk for 9am and also to get outside for both fresh air and to socialise with the human world at some point during the working day. Freedom requires discipline and structure sets the direction in your life, this structure lets you plan the tasks ahead and tick them off with a satisfying swipe of a pen (preferably red).
The way I see it the harder I work whilst in the UK living a fairly ‘normal’ lifestyle then the more fun I can have when I’m globe-trotting having met my deadlines. Work hard play hard.
But back to the house - crooked, charming and oh so snug it already feels like home but as it is a 16th century cottage it’s so teeny weeny meaning storage and space is an issue. Because of this it was essential that we both had a good old clear out and were ruthless with our space-hogging belongings, something that was actually quite satisfying.
After my break up I had a good clear out and although it can be painful at the time it is also one of the best things you can do to help you move on. By binning stuff you owned but no longer love you realise it is just stuff and that you can buy new things that aren’t laden with shared memories.
It also made me think about how we need to be ruthless when packing to go travelling. This is another time when space is at a premium so every item that goes into your case has to have a purpose. I’ve shared packing tips previously here and here. The key is always to fill your bag then take out half. You do not need as much stuff as you think you do, I promise.
So, I’m hopeful that this new step of moving house, living with Mr Notwedordead and following a better routine will be the fresh start I need. I’m off to take another few bin bags up to the charity shop - another good thing that comes from having a clear out!
I’d love to know what you think about routine and how you use it to work for you? I’m nosey like that, you see. As always you can contact me using any of the below links!
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