This is a big week in our house.
Not because of school restarting in Scotland (more on that in a mo).
But simply because we are having our kitchen refitted, after 17 years in this house with a kitchen we have never loved. This has involved having the entire contents of the kitchen redistributed throughout the rest of the house, the old kitchen units ripped out, and a lot of noise and dust.
A wonderful team of cheerful, hard working and efficient kitchen fitters, electricians, plumbers and a tiler are at work this week to create all things new in our kitchen. On Day 1, Johnny Cash songs were being belted out at top volume over the noise of hammers and drills. A large box of chocolate biscuits left for them was consumed with great gusto.
We are excited about the end result, and it has reaffirmed our shared love of all things cooking and baking, and sharing food with loved ones.
There are so many things in this process that we are grateful for.
And it is time for a reset.
Both Nearest-and-Dearest were involved earlier this month in a sorting out of our kitchen contents. This was badly needed – when was the last time you looked into the deepest recesses of your kitchen cupboards?
My point exactly.
We ate some quite random things. We sorted, made decisions, gave away, threw out and generally had a very satisfying stock take of our kitchen. Everything was boxed up to be moved out of the way of the noise, dust and construction work that now ensues.
As we approach the last third of this year, perhaps it is time for a reset for you too?
Not that I am suggesting the level of upheaval and financial outlay of a new kitchen.
But it can be a helpful time of year to stop, take stock, and reset.
We are familiar with the idea of making plans, setting intentions, and perhaps creating resolutions at the start of the year.
But as autumn approaches – I can actually see the odd orangey-yellow leaf on the tree opposite – life tends to get busier again. Terms resume at school, college and university. Classes, events, courses etc ramp up again. Commitments tend to increase.
How do you know how to use your time well? I hope these thoughts on making the most of your time might also be helpful to think on this further.
And this is a lovely podcast by Emily P Freeman on approaching autumn with a minimalist’s eye view.
What is most important to you?
And to what extent are you making time for that? What was last autumn like, and how do you want this one to compare?
What therefore might a reset look like for you?
This is food for thought as always, there are no right or wrong answers. But I know that in this house, as we take delight in restocking our new kitchen, it can serve as a great opportunity to think about how I am restocking my week.
School does indeed start this week in Scotland. Back onto that same old treadmill for many – do read this if you have a child at school.
And if you have a child starting school or moving school, do read this post on school starts and transitions, and know that I am feeling all the feelings with you.
For our family, we are commencing our last year of school ever, as younger Nearest-and-Dearest is in her final year. That means that this is the 16th and final year of the same structure, and this time next year, our lives will look very different.
How do I want to use this year?
18 years of a young person’s life passes so quickly, so how do I ensure I am present to her even as she is preparing for this next major transition into independence?
What is most important to me, what choices am I going to make? To what do I say yes, and indeed, no?
Time for a reset indeed.