​The delusion of stability – quite a thought.  What is it in reference to?  Stuff.  Your stuff.  My stuff. 
 
Stuff gives a false sense of security.  We all came into the world with nothing materially and we will leave with the same.  This is a universally accepted truth.  Yet considering the way we live and what we prioritise daily you would never guess this is what we all believe. 
 
To reminisce back to a Seinfeld episode – if Martians were looking down and observing us what would our actions reveal?  Would it be that we favour life, people and experiences over stuff?  Sadly, in many cases – not. 
 
Why do we hold on to so much?  Why do we continue to consume at an unprecedented rate?  Why do we continue to buy into the myth of marketing?  Maybe because of how our stuff makes us feel.  The delusion of stability.  We feel safe, protected, secure.  Nothing sinister can happen to us because we have all this stuff.  We can’t get sick or have any tragedy in our lives because look around – we have all of this stuff.   Our fortified existence behind the city walls of yet more stuff.  We all know this to be only a semblance of what we imagine but we still choose to cling to it.  Sad is not the word! 
 
Put yourself mentally in a place with minimal stuff.  What would that look like?  Scary at first but insightful.  You would have less cleaning, less tidying, less maintenance, less stress, less worry, more money, more confidence, more time, more more more.  Maybe the thought of all of this more is daunting.  What would you do with the newly discovered time, money, relationships?  That is not to be scoffed at.  Think of what you would actually do – study, exercise, read, explore, learn?  This begs the question – do you actually want to have this more or is your current delusion serving you well?

Stop and think about whether or not you consider your present day life to be manageable.  The vast majority of us – if we are honest with ourselves would not describe our existence as manageable. 
 
Controllable, governable, workable, EASY.  Oh the dream!  But does it have to stay a dream?  Personellement, I think not.  It does require concentrated effort. 
 
Firstly, think carefully about what makes you feel that things in your daily grind are not manageable.  It could be big things like relationships, accommodation, career or it could also be on a smaller scale – too many clothes to choose from, disorganized finances, too much clutter, too much technology, too many books, not enough sleep.  Whatever it may be – identify it.
 
Now, think of what advice you would give a friend if they told you this was their bug bear that they were struggling with.  Next, I’m sure this advice was sound but what holds you back from applying it to yourself?  I already know the answer because I share your pain – it’s much easier to apply your advice to others than to put it into practice yourself.
 
I challenge you to just do it! (No, this is not an advert for Nike but they were definitely on to something.)
 
Decide to donate a bag to charity each week – clothes, shoes, handbags, dishes, books, sheets, towels, art supplies, food, furniture, games, sports equipment, plants, bibelots, unused toiletries, alcohol – whatever form it may inhabit in your world – REDUCE IN ORDER TO MANAGE.

​Time for the L. 
 
L is for LIVING
 
To live or not to live – quelle question!  We are all alive if we are reading this but the question is – are you LIVING?
 
We all have days where we feel as though we are sluggishly going through the motions waiting for a break in the monotony.  Fine, day over and onto the next.  If this is your norm you may want to revamp your attack on life.
 
Consider your opening approach to the beginning of your average day.  No need to reproduce a deodorant commercial but maybe develop a bit of a dynamic mindset as to how you proceed. 
 
Completing all the goals you have set for yourself is not the answer but simply starting one or two of these goals is all you need to gain momentum.  Of course a certain level of completion or accomplishment is necessary – later, but to live a vital, ongoing life is primordial. 
 
What is holding you back from LIVING?  Figure it out, take it on and win.  Never let it be said that your life is best defined by the words apathetic, lethargic or mediocre.  There is more to be had and it is doable.  A toi!