Looking after my own well-being

Today, I made a stand for my own well-being.

In coming to this decision I have (and still do) wrestled with my conscience.

But I have had to admit defeat.

I should be better than this. I’m an Eighties chick. I’ve been bought up with an attitude that I can have it all. I can do it all. I can have a husband, children, a full time engaging and challenging job. My house should be beautiful, with interior design to impress Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, ready for visitors at a moments notice, and my garden should be colourful, weed-free and producing vegetables all year round. I can walk the dogs, go to the gym, read the latest novel or advice book, write regularly on this blog and be fashionably, professionally and attractively presented at all times.

But it’s just not happening.

So today I decided to take an element away that has been stressing me out.

My Mount Everest ironing pile.

I have suspected for many months that I possess, in fact, a full and varied wardrobe that would satisfy Gok Wan. Unfortunately the majority of it has built into a pile the size of which can only be measured by some serious trigonometry in one corner of my living room.

So this morning I removed all those fitted ladies work shirts from the pile, stuffed them into a bag and took them down to the dry cleaners to be washed and ironed.

OK, it cost me a few pounds.

But the weight that has been lifted from my shoulders is immense and it means I can now manage the rest of it. The cardigans, t-shirts and casual attire that has been hidden right at the bottom has now been rediscovered. I can be nicely turned out for work and I can turn my attention to everything else on my to-do list.

The truth is, I can’t do everything. I have to muddle along with everyone else, trying to please as many people as I can and accepting that not everyone is going to be lucky today.

Perhaps it’ll be their turn tomorrow.

Looking after our own well-being is so important. I’m no good to anyone if I’m not focused on the important stuff (birthdays, deadlines, budgets, putting food on the table etc.) and I can’t do that if I’m worrying about being eaten alive by the entity evolving into a malicious consciousness that was previously my ironing pile.

So please don’t judge my untidy home, weedy garden, dishevelled family and old Mother Hubbard cupboards…but you can marvel at my crisply ironed shirt!

What changes have you made to improve your well-being?