When We Come Apart.

As I write this I'm lying in bed at home. Home, home. My country home. It's been a bit too long. A long winter, as they say. In my case, literally and figuratively.

Sometimes we come apart from ourselves.

Like the end of a thread, nestled against a seam; an accidental pull, a spare length just a tad too long threatens to pull everything apart.

I love this print by Rachel E Foster called "The Kissing Checklist". I have one in Ladyland. It's so simple, so whimsical and most importantly it conjures up so much emotion - vivid memories of first love(s) and frenzied bellies, full of butterflies.

We sometimes need reminders of what to worry about and what not to worry about. What to spend our time doing and what (and who!) to just ignore. To prioritise things that help our warring internal tribes stay together.

Every Friday Facebook is littered with the exclamations of relieved masses about the joy of reaching the end of another week. Half of those then seem to go out and get trolleyed because they were so happy but they then spend the rest of the weekend in the depths of depression for doing so. We've all felt those Sunday evening blues at the prospect of facing another unfulfilling week.

We need to change the cycle. To practise mindfulness, to chase down and pounce on the things that make us joyful. Then keep 'em close. As close as can be. To compartmentalise the grey parts of our lives that bring us down and turn us into those supermarket-zombies. Easy, right?

If I was to mould my reminders into a list it would go something like this:

Play the piano.
Go to bed no later than 10:30pm every night.
Sing loudly in the car along to the radio, iPod, the hum of the engine.
Go camping. As often as possible.
Watch re-runs of The West Wing.
Stop worrying that you'll disappoint people.
Go for very long walks.
Stop offering everything to everybody.
Turn phone to silent when it's not absolutely necessary to have it on.
Write. Anything. Using a pen.
Hit the road, discover new country towns and pillage their op shops.
Stop trying to ensure that every single person you meet will like you.
Go home.

What's on your list?

I recommend giving it some thought with this ol' favourite as your soundtrack.