I finally Cleared out my handbag

Why has it taken so long? Because I hold my hands up because of how long it would take and worried I'd get rid of something important. 

Did I though? No. 

My New Handbag 

I have other bags to go through and spent some time as I have gone upstairs clear some bits and doing some as I go, so going to go through one bag at a time. We are moving from Wimbledon, because my Mum and Step dad have moved to a new home where I will be still spending time, but not have to pack every week and because of the move we have had to sort a lot out. 

I am putting together some items for the charity shop or may sell, but it is working out what is the best for those items and skincare that has not been opened. I love a gift set because I like the lotions and some items I can give as gifts or donate or sell. I may give some items to my nieces.

When sorting out my bag I found a broken pair of sunglasses and receipts. How many can nod, who also keep a lot of receipts? I found some loose change. Some cream that lost a lid and tablets I take as some of the bottles of the pills have lost their lids and lipsticks and so it was good to have completed this dreaded task. 

I know Kon Marie says you should do it everyday but for me, just unrealistic, but going to see what I can do about receipts. If you have any tips please feel free to share. You can leave a comment in the box below. 

It is good to have a bag and I feel lost if I don't, so my a goal is to take better care even though I used it a lot and was a while, until I had to sort it out and it has been through many weathers and so it is time to use a new one and others that I have. 

I have my sons old bag to go through and donate as this as it is in good condition and sometimes it is good for items to go to a new home and I am a lot more vigilant in letting things go because of landfill and so I am becoming less wasteful. 

I ask myself "What use does this item have that I need?" So I am going to go through my bags and if they would be good for someone else, then it may be gifted, if it is in a good state wonder "Could it be recycled?" 

I love donating, recycle and I love to use some bits like labels and different type of paper to journal. I find it so good for my mental health and so going to sort more out and then I have clothes to be bought over. I may have to really decide on them because of space so lets see if I am strong enough to have less when it comes to clothes because I know it will be impossible to have them all even though I had done that but still got lots. 

Wish me luck and more blogs to come. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Make one change can make a massive difference

My Shelf

It is amazing how just putting up a shelf up, can make a difference, with set of clothes hooks, so I have a place for my books and my clothes for the day and no longer all over the bed.

Before my Shelf was put up 

                                                  

So just one change can make a difference. It helps me with my laziness and procrastination. If I do one thing I know it will get done, if I have to clean a whole room it makes me want to leave and avoid and so I will break tasks up. 

I will wash up and clean the sink one day. Last night I dusted my file boxes, as there was dust from when my husband put up the Shelf in my room and clothes hook. I now have cleaned the windowsill and my son done one too, later it will be dinner and then tomorrow will clean the windowsills upstairs. 

Check out this blog: https://neworganizedself.blogspot.com/2024/09/one-minute-tasks-i-do-to-stay-productive.html 

Change your sleep pattern. I have always suffered with Insomnia and getting to sleep. I have had weeks of bad sleep and not slept at all and it was really effecting me daily. I would get terrible fatigue and would watch the time. So I no longer have a clock in my room. I use my phone but I put it where I have to get up to turn it off. Or my son will come into my room to turn it off.

I do take medication as it was getting bad and it did effect my mental health. 

It could be organising time to walk. You don't need a gym. I love walking and so I always organise time to do this and it will be 10 to 45 minutes. I love walking up London and local parks. I will check out the shops and have a coffee whilst I walk and love being near the river and it is free. 

Changing your shopping habits. I now try to buy shopping once. I have set up a notebook for planning meals. I did have a folder full of recipes but I never used them and I love the English favourites, Toad in the hole, curry, fish n chips, ham egg and chips, sausage and mash and so I will make sure we have vegetables, but frozen, even fresh veg so it has a longer life span and tinned items of food and it saved me a lot of money. 

 My Clothes Hook

Organising my online planner. Notion. It has saved me a lot of time and have the APP on my phone too and really been a game changer and keep track of things and great if you are planning sort of person and saves me time and money. 

So just one change can make a huge difference. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Why I journal helps keep me Organised and address my fears

Since a child I have written down my thoughts and fears. I use my journal app on my phone also and I haven't kept them all. I have found getting rid of the ones from a child a way of letting go of the past and to focusing on my current thoughts and goals and about the challenges that are occurring and things I am putting off and my anxiety thoughts. 

It helps me to feel that I am okay to be natural in my appearance and not rush around. Now my son has learning at the library I have journaled a lot and it made me set out 2026 and my sentence for me this year is "Wait and see" and started to plan using too old letters or printouts, to recycle and things I want to get done and where my focus is at the moment. 

If I have changed my mind on what to do on some days. You don't always need a to do list to get things done or a fancy notebook. I do because I love a notebook. They help enthuse my feelings and my creativity. 

Journaling can be done using your Notes APP if you have enough space on your phone. You can use Notion or a plain notebook pocket size or bigger. I like it because there's no rules, just write what you feel or what you see your life going and address your fears. 

Allow your fears give your armer to take on the fears to prove that something is good. 

I went through all my fears. I have a radio show and I get so nervous and I sorry TMI but need a loo a lot before I go to the studio and feels good once I am doing my show and that I didn't bail out and I enjoy it. I really feel such pride about it.

My fear of being stranded when my son wants to go on a train or bus ride. I think of everything that could go wrong and then write what if it work outs? 

I go through what I can do to help to prevent things going wrong. Like I I worry about being late. Leave early. What if there are delays. Check to see if there is another route. Get my show all written down so I can set up my show ahead of time. It evaluates my fears and good to express what I feel and fear because it is my mind just weighing up and do and don't. 

If you feel uncomfortable about someone. What is it. Their manner, do they tut a lot when you speak? Do they huff when you try to speak to them? Where is it happening?

I find it makes me powerful. I focus on those like me open minded and those who also journal to learn new skills and to improve my wellbeing and this year it is about "Growing" and keep going. I love being a blogger, writing my books, I love putting my radio show together and I love to journal.

It really has helped me build good habits, like reading everyday. Decluttering and planning programmes and projects. It to me has been my ultimate discovery and want to help you all to enjoy life more and be good to yourself and what I have done to help build my self as a person, who is a daughter, mum, sister, niece and auntie.  

I hope you do enjoy these blogs and you can subscribe. Costs nothing and you will be alerted each time I post. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

What to do when is cold?

Living in the UK it is unpredictable the weather. There is always speculation of will we have snow? Well we did and now it is slowly fading but was a surprise and will it rain at some point?

It can have down pours and sleet rain and as a English girl I am a used to it and why it is good to have thing indoors to get through the rainy cold days. 

Who knows, so it is good to have rainy days activities. This morning I cleared out a cupboard, my husband did run on the treadmill and Henry played one of his new games. It is good to have a collection of items that can help the days when it is too cold to go out.

I am on a look out for a pack of cards so gonna look in the charity shop to buy a set as I thought we did have pack but not sure as to where they are.

Invite friends over and have a meal indoors or a coffee and chat. It is good to set up a playdate and one thing I'd like to have is a playroom, but now we spend our time in the Living room and so we have toys available such as a dartboard and an a indoor golf set. 

Having a bit of sports day. At the moment I am watching Birmingham vs Coventry and later watching the Chelsea game and so gonna have dinner early. It is good to just be with family and my son wanted me to watch it with him, before he begins to do his learning again with his tutor. It will begin either this week or week after. 

When my son has his tutoring at the local library I also will do some reading and learning and updating journal and planning shows, blogs and Vlogs. You can check out my content via my X platforms, Facebook or Pinterest. See links below:

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It is also a good time to have Facetime if you can't visit fiends or family in person or phone them for a chat. 

Allow for some TV time and I love watching concerts and documentaries and later will be watching some comedy.

So there is always plenty to do, whatever the weather. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Getting organised in 2026

I no longer want to buy brand new clothes. I have all I need and need to remind myself of that. I have bought items emotionally not really needing the item. I feel like if it is on food then it is okay, but no, it all adds up when you know you have plenty of food in the food cupboard and freezer.

Since tracking my money it has opened my mind in seeing where my money is going and has been mind-blowing. I own too much so need to decide on what I want less of, or more.

I know going to the shops everyday is good because of building my steps, which I have written a blog about: Get Active Get Fit : Shopping can have its benefits when staying Active and part of that is because of the weather. When my son has had his lessons in the library, I have not wanted to go out unless it is a gift leading up to Christmas and I do tend to take break come Autumn and Winter when it comes to fitness. 

So if you want to help manage your finances and get organised in 2026, I now go through what I have paid out and add to my savings as I want to go to different places for a holiday. I set a savings target and add to each week and have specific goal. 

                                      

Next it is online. I lastnight went through my emails. I did more unsubscribing from sites. One thing I learned was that Google if you have a google email, will alert you of companies emails you have not read emails, notify you and so going to clear another account and it helps me not waste money. So Finance has been a focus and will continue to track my spending in 2026 and is important because I want to make my money useful and not buy emotionally but when we have no food left and I do buy bulk items, like toilet rolls and kitchen towels. 

I have purchased some shower gel for my son and sanitary products. 

Cleaning products is good to buy and I clean after each meal, rather than first thing in the morning or evening. I like to read before bed and in the mornings. 

I use a bag on my bed to stop having so many clothes at the bottom of the bed and take control of my spending on books but I accumulated free books and I know I will read them and for this is not a waste and buy one book a month or so. I love reading and love audible and I get so much out of it.

Its okay to have stuff but only if it gets used or you know you will use. 

My nan and I would share books, my mum has books and plan to have shelves in my room for my books and journals. I haven't always kept my journals as the one thing I have found good to let go of the past, is to not keep all my journals and then focused on the now and move on from the past.

However I like to keep them now as I like to decorate then and keep cards and junk journal and so means I have to let something go and so going to have a low spend year and keep decluttering one thing a day and then the other thing is bags. 

I love a bag but my problem is clearing them out. 

Not sure how to keep up with it. I know Kon Marie says that you should do it daily but I know I won't stick to that so need to figure this out. I don't want to have loads of bags so is a working progress.

So these are going to be my focus and only keep what is really important to me and sort out my bedroom, by sorting out my bags and let more things go. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

Getting Ready for 2026

It is on the horizon, but feel good about it. I means starting a new chapter and sticking with some existing things like reading. If I don't conquer my reading goal which is 20 then so be it, will try again. It means getting some projects finished, like my sons bedroom and mine. Hopefully my son gets a place in a school and my blogs and YouTube channels continue to grow and have another book published. 

One of my favourite meals not just at Christmas, with healthy food for 2026, along with sticking with our favourites. 

So what habits are you going to continue and projects?

It doesn't have to be done in January but when it feels right to you. I was reading an article and there was an article interviewing Amelia Fox who's famous actor, she doesn't make resolutions but she goes through what she wants the new year to look like. 

Everyone has their own way and it doesn't make it wrong. Each to their own. It is what works for you.

I like to make life changes. I like to have word. Two thousand and six is Grow. 

It means doing more Radio shows and not allow my fear over take and not shy away from other opportunities. It means letting go of stuff no longer serve me. So I am getting rid of my baking items and I will be moving. I live with my mum and step dad aswell with my son and husband part of the time. So that is going to be a massive change but not worried, which is the first of me. 

I can worry my socks off and all it does is cause stress and so letting go of my old feelings, for 2026.

Then my son has his sports clubs and get back to my walking and building my steps. 

I am taking part in a Walking Event in April and seeing Bon Jovi in concert so got a few things to look forward to.

It is good to have things planned. It can be meeting with a specific friend you don't often see once a month or week. It can be to go for a walk in a park once a week and go on a shopping trip. I will be doing No Spend January and cutting my spending down and since Henry's learning in the library for now spent less and so saving for holidays we plan to have in 2026. 

So lets get ready for the new year to have a lot more happiness, if possible and things to look forward to.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Avoiding The Mess

It has been a long insight to see that I avoid the mess.  There is something about mess that makes me close my door and ignore it. I have tried to put things away but I will pretend it isn't there and know at some point I will tidy it up. I am a still decluttering, but I have a cupboard full of underwear and socks, I have box files that have no order so I know I need to step up. 

So the first thing I need to do is to step away. I need to allow rest time and then when I go to brush my teeth will tidy up my bed once I have had my tea and it is time to brush my teeth and in fact I am going to do that now.

Do a bit a day. A small amount can still make a difference and I am enjoying my decluttering. Finding items that are just gathering dust. If there is no reason for an item, then it goes.

It is good to allow others to motivate. I will clean, tidy and declutter if I see my husband cleaning so he will be the influence and then I will sort my mess out and that I am not letting the side down.

Let your kids help clear up the mess. My son has the habit of leaving is teddy bear on the floor so will tune into asking him to pick it up and the same with other toys and things he has finished using. 

It is good to have a calendar that is available to you. So plan what you are going to focus on first, to break it down and avoid overwhelm if this is causing you to avoid any mess.

Journal your fears about the mess. I will write down my fears. I find it helps address them and how to get over it and if it works out and you do it, how will it make you feel? 

Have a system. When it comes to washing up, I will use my morning whilst the kettle is on to clear any plates or mugs away used the night before. Then, when it comes to dinner time I will clear away any items used for lunch and what needs to be left out for dinner. 

I find I am more untidy during the winter with gifts for Christmas and muddy clothes from the rain and taking my son to do his sports at the weekend and find it hard to dress because of the cold. I love to layer up so clothes are messy and the bottom of the bed, keeping stuff to junk journal and I love notebooks and so need to make choice if I want it to be tidy or live in a mess.

So 2026 it is a year of change and invest in the things that are help me "Grow" which is my word for 2026. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X