Dear Reader

A gift from a Friend

At coffee yesterday, my friend surprised me with this perfect specimen from her garden. I was (am) mesmerised by the perfection of its flowerheard. I can see what I've been told is true - that the sunflower is a pseudanthium made up of many small flowers. I've never seen one so delicate. I hope my photo does it justice and you enjoy it too.

I've been doing
'Swedish Death Cleaning'

Do you ever come across a concept that has the potential to change your life? And do you then totally forget where you came across that concept?

Well, that's happened to me. Somewhere recently I heard about Swedish Death Cleaning and downloaded a Kindle sample of this book: The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter by Margareta Magnusson.

Contrary to what it seems, the idea of Death Cleaning isn't morbid. It is to make it easier for your loved ones after you've passed away. You do the decluttering now so only the essentials, and those items that have the most meaning for you, remain. And isn't that all we really need right now - regardless of how much longer we have to live?

Memories of my sister and I at Mum's house going through her things flooded my mind as I read about Death Cleaning. Time and again we asked ourselves: What to do with ... I won't bore you with the list! Or what we did or didn't keep. Suffice it to say, it was already a distressing time and to sort through and dispose of things we knew were precious to her at one point, but had no value to us, compounded our distress. If I could save my kids this, it would be worth whatever the effort.

I'm not having thoughts of my imminent departure, don't be concerned. But the thought of decluttering with this in mind gave purpose to my periodic cleanouts that added a dimension of fun that I'd not experienced before.

I am thinking things like: What would my daughters make of all my 'stuff?' What would they be interested in? And, more importantly right now, What do I want/need in my life right now - at least until the next declutter round?

First, we cleaned out the bookshelves, reorganised those books we want to keep in order by genre and author alphabetical order. We only culled about 20 books out of our shelves - leaving us over 160 still. Tidier, with an e-catalogue for reference, and easier to deal with 'when' the time comes.

At "that" time, my writing books and resources will be bound for my author daughter (who will soon be moving to Australia.) I'm now going through those resources. The writing books are the easiest to deal with: Keep them all!

What's been challenging about my writing resources, is dealing to all the bits of paper. I've been through shelves of carefully stored paper items. And soon I'll go through it all again. Challenging, yes. But I must say, what a joy this process is also being!

I've come across saved notes from various courses I've done over the years. All in labelled binders. Then there's my University transcripts, Degrees, Certificates, notes on professional development, references from employers and colleagues - and many others - all with the memories of who I was back then, the growth and progress both personally and professionally I've made.

All this paper stuff reminds me what I've known for a very long time: it's the people I've met and worked with over the years that made my various positions and workplaces enjoyable. I loved my work and felt fulfilled as a result of the people.

I also came across some goal setting exercises I did through the years. I smiled to see one of my goals was to walk the Routeburn Track - which I mentioned having done with Neil in my last Newsletter. (Picture below). I'm glad to see some of my goals achieved!

Death Cleaning has given me a new zest for organising and tidying the spaces in our home. Through this process, and I'm just starting, I'm becoming more aware of what others might know about me, and what might come as a surprise, when they go through what I leave behind. Certainly, it's come as a surprise to me to see most of my 'current' soul yearnings are the same as they were from the time I was a child. I've uncovered several memories that collectively reveal a lot about what sustains me and my passion for living. I know myself better as a result. I have more confidence to be the me I want to be.

I've come across several bits of writing as well and I'm thinking to share these in my Reader's Group on Facebook. I've not shared much there yet. I've been a bit shy, but now's the time to overcome that and share some of the different types of writing. If this interests you, click on the link and join the private group. I'll post the first there in a few days.

Writing Practice with Payton

We've only got together twice so far and I think my granddaughter Payton agrees, it's worthwhile sharing a couple of hours writing together. One of the things we do is write for 10 minutes on a topic. This is the sort of writing exercise I've never really enjoyed, but writing with Payton inspires me.

Last week we each wrote a poem based on a topic she chose with the help of ChatGPT. It's a fun process, just set the timer and let the words flow. Have you done this? It really is fun.

I'm not a poet, I'm sure you'll agree! Yet I enjoyed this process so much, I want to share my poem with you (briefly edited):

The House that Shaped Me

Two bedrooms, or maybe three.
Two siblings and me.
A large kitchen, with a coal range,
Lots of laughter around the table at tea.

A large backyard, and on the side
A vege patch; a chicken run
Trees over the fence
Where I could hide.

A doll's house near the fence
Mine, alone, and to share.
Cricket bat for the boys, a bike, too.
But not for me, my bones might break.

Girls were to be protected.
Boys had fun,
With each other they connected.
Because two of Dad's sisters died,
Through his fears, joys for us girls were denied.

That house, though inviting and warm,
I was glad to escape. I risked the harm
And in setting my own norm
Of what I could do, I created my own course.

No nostalgia for the house that built me.

February 28, 2025
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Whatever brings you joy, I hope you take a few minutes each day for yourself. Maybe start your own Death Cleaning process and see what inspires you.

With love
Stephanie

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My thoughts for Living Life in 2025 and beyond:

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"Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing"

Helen Keller

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck"
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Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

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www.StephanieHammondAuthor.com

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