Are You Holding On To Something When You’d Be Better To Just Let Go?

Have you ever had something happen that you think is a complete DISASTER?

Well for those of you who read my post Have You Ever Had A DIY Disaster? earlier this year, you’ll recall that what started as a simple (ha!) kitchen makeover using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, turned into a full kitchen rip out. At the time, it felt like a DISASTER! We hadn’t planned for the cost of a new kitchen, but having discovered what had been a very slow water leak behind some of the cupboards, we had no option but to rip the old kitchen out and start again.

Sometimes in life though, what feels like a disaster at the time, becomes just a minor BLIP, in the bigger scheme of our lives. It also turns out to be the best thing that could happen.

That was definitely the case with our DIY Kitchen Disaster.

Often we have to experience something that feels bad, to force us to change?

Have you ever tried to hold onto something when you’d be better off just letting go?

I definitely have. I’ve stuck with relationships, friendships and jobs over the years, that had in some cases, turned toxic and yet I clung on. I feared letting them go. I’ve also held on to clutter (oh gosh – my sister is even worse!), filling my house with memories and not always good ones…..  and yet, I struggle to throw those bits and pieces away and the wardrobes bulge!

Are you sticking with something that you’d be better to let go of?

February 2017 will forever stick in my mind as the month the Universe stepped in and forced me to take notice. I was forced into such discomfort, that I had no option but to sit up, pay attention and take action to change. 

Sometimes what feels like the worst thing that could happen, is simply the catalyst to transform our lives.

I look back now and realise that I was holding onto a kitchen that was 28 years old and a job that had become toxic to me and was literally destroying me physically. In both cases, I was left with no option but to stop, take stock and make decisions, because there really were no alternatives!

As it turns out, both decisions were definitely for the best!

Our kitchen had been fitted, when we first moved into our house 28 years ago and we’d already made it over several times, trying to avoid the expense of a new kitchen. Even though it had seen better days and I’d put on my Vision Board that I dreamed of a new kitchen, I was still holding onto it and my attempted Annie Sloan makeover was the kitchen’s last straw.

Initially, it felt like a disaster because we hadn’t planned for the cost of a new kitchen, but looking back, I know it was meant to be and was the best thing that could have happened. Not only did I end up with a lovely new kitchen, but being without any kitchen for several months and cooking on a camping stove and washing pots in a bucket, made me appreciate our new kitchen all the more.

I gained a different perspective on what’s important in my life and it made me realise, how much I normally take for granted. Having to go just a few yards outside to a cold tap, became really aggravating and yet, also made me realise how lucky I’ve been (and continue to be), to have clean water on tap throughout my life.

Yes, in the greater scheme of life, our DIY Disaster, was definitely just a blip and out of the painful experience, we’ve now got a lovely new kitchen and I appreciate it so much, after the harsh reality of cooking on a camping stove for 3 months.

Yes – February 2017 was a memorable month. It was the month I let go of my old faithful yet very tatty kitchen and also let go of my job, to follow my dreams…

I feel lucky and it certainly goes to show that sometimes we have to let go of the old, to allow in the new. That’s definitely one of the great Laws of the Universe! New things often don’t arrive, until we’ve created the space for them!

As promised to some of my blogging friends, I’ve finally managed to pull together a summary of our journey from Kitchen Disaster to Kitchen Transformation and I’m sorry it’s taken so long!

Are you holding on to something,  when really you’d be better to let it go?