Cinderella Consulting

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Photo sourced from: https://www.google.com/search?safe=active&biw=780&bih=357&tbm=isch&sxsrf=ACYBGNSO0zKDKTR5ywRHxPuQT1a0gFJrEg%3A1575238425530&sa=1&ei=GTvkXYaDIObG4-EPvuWJ0A4&q=labyrinth+junk+lady&oq=labyrinth+junk+lady&gs_l=img.3..0l4j0i8i30l3j0i24.14121.15890..17029...0.0..0.281.2347.0j2j9......0....1..gws-wiz-img.......35i39j0i30.6GlfV9NKlw8&ved=0ahUKEwjG86i2vJXmAhVm4zgGHb5yAuoQ4dUDCAc&uact=5#imgrc=bH8AaieSRxENlM: 

Ever feel like the Junk Lady from the Labyrinth? Sometimes I do. So, I’m minimising eeeeeeeeeeee, man this is a wild ride!! Like a roller-coaster through time. End of life scenes flashing before your eyes. I’ve done it personally two or three times before and I professionally assist people to minimise in my business. The process is hard work, physically and emotionally, but I gotta say the end result is brilliant! On the surface your home will be tidy, clean and clear, but psychologically you will feel like you’ve bathed in a crystal waterfall-ed mountain stream. 

I grew up poor (which the majority of the world does) so the luxury of discretionary spending money and the buzz of shopping, especially nabbing a bargain is almost orgasmic!! Presents, reminders of people, times and places combines psychological situations inducing a tiny bit of hording in us. My home is a renovation construction zone, around which I live, so I can’t confess to hording, but I still have stuff that is superfluous, hey I love beautiful things.

When minimising, we separate things that bring us joy (sparkle sparkle – thank you Konmari) from the things we can release for others to appreciate. This can be a terrifying prospect!

I worked (pass tense) in a horrible place with horrible people to get the money to purchase my things, giving them up is intolerable! Those who lose loved ones or experience disasters, need the freedom from physical reminders minimising gives. This is a hard but immensely worthwhile process. Please contact me if I can assist or support you in any way, it would be my honour.

 So I decided to do the Markets, the Suitcase Rummage in Brissy in the square between the Library and the Casino (https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/suitcaserummage/). It was a truly beautiful QLD day and it was so fun to interact with all these creative people and I did sell a little bit but I was $32.50 in the red after everything.  FYI that afternoon we enjoyed rain! Ah rain, we’ve missed you! Do it again

I am in dual minds about this situation. I want people to buy all my stuff, but I don’t want to encourage shopping so what to do, what to do?? Konmari says to let things go so they can be loved by others. Almost like a break-up. Am I breaking up with my stuff? Did I have to pay for my things to be with me? Am I a John? Ok let’s not go down this rabbit hole right now! So, donate everything hey? Wow that’s hard!

I just found a charity that assists victims of domestic violence to start a new life. Having walked that path myself, I would be so happy for my things to go to these ladies.

 One of my goals is to become waste-free, so the very first thing I do is produce massive waste? In the future I will build the cost of an item’s disposal into the purchase price, like some (ecologically minded) companies do with products they produce. The thing is to not buy anything more in the future, just live the French way, only get classic, timeless things that can fit into a teeny tiny closet (something in, something out) and do experiences and photos.

Life aspiration, no more Junk Lady:

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Journaling & how to change your life

You will need a book with blank pages, or blank paper and pens, pencils, paint, ink, charcoal, whatever makes you happy. I choose books with pretty covers and blank ones I can decorate myself. And a pen for this stage.

Question time…

What are your goals?

What have you always wanted to do?

What do you want, love, hate?

Answer honestly, don’t think, just write the 1st thing that comes to mind. Don’t worry about how ridiculous you think your answer is, just write it. Or draw it if words don’t work. 

One of my clients gave me permission to use her story as an example. Opal, a lovely 62 year old lady was an empty-nester after being a single mother and personal assistant.  The 1st thing that came to her was that she wanted to model.

 So what are your goals? In your dreams, when you were a kid, what have you always wanted to do? What do you lose time doing? What is happening in your happy place? What makes you smile?

 Don’t be shy, no one has to see this. You can write one word or fill the book. Take 2 seconds or a month. It’s all good.

Got it? 

Congratulations this is your goal!

 Part 2 how you are going to get there… the journey.

What do you love what do you hate about your life? What is going to help you and what is going to hinder you? What do you need in your life, what do you need out of your life? Research your goal. 

Opal made an appointment and visited a local modelling agency. Her question for the agent was worded cleverly, “How do I become a model?” Remember she is 62 years old.

Look at your journal, your goal. Where are you now? What do you have to do to reach your goal? What does your journey require? 

Turns out there is a demand for older models and actors. Opal has to create a portfolio, do some training and attend auditions in various places around the country. She had exercised every day of her life, but it was a walk or a swim, maybe a few exercises. The agent advised her to join a gym and see a trainer on a regular basis. She was shocked at how encouraging the agent was. However, Opal, has little money, she rents a large house full of her children’s (children who left home years ago and refuse to talk to her) things. Tower time…

Look at the people on the card. Yes the tower has been hit by lightning and the crown is flying off to who knows where. Look at the difference between the people… the person on the right is falling upside down, uncontrolled, not a happy chappy. 

But look at the figure on the left, they’re flying, they’re “woohoo-ing”! There is a cloud signifying air underneath the figure, this is an exciting journey to their goal. Also the tower isn’t destroyed, all the crap is being burnt away, it’s a purge of the old life to make way for the new.

 Where are you and where do you want to be? What steps are required to reach your destination?

 Journal your answers. Add drawings and magazine pictures. Paint, ink, sculpt, vlog, blog, record your responses. Google, watch YouTube inform yourself, become an expert on yourself.

 What happened with Opal? Well she followed the agent’s advice and the Konmari method to purge everything that didn’t bring her joy (we’ll do this in a future blog). She donated and threw away a lot of stuff and she sold a tonne of things giving her enough money to:

·        Downsize to a lovely little apartment

·        Attend modelling classes

·        Travel to her first audition – a national newspaper advertisement for a       Retirement Plan – that she won!

Opal’s children were very unhappy about her life choices, but she followed her heart. I’m not going to sugar-coat it, that aspect of her journey was a hard, but really what did she have to lose? She says now her children do occasionally talk to her. Opal, joined the local theater group to learn acting, so she has a whole bunch of new friends and she flies all over the country to model. She loves her apartment, we decorated it with furniture she already owned that we shabby chic-ed to look French and farmhouse-y. She says she’s waiting for her apartment to come up for sale, as she can afford to buy it now. Not only does she look fit and fabulous, but she feels great and is very happy in her new life. Opal’s story began and was signposted by journaling. Internalise the fact that right now you’re out of your place, journaling will get you to your goal. To quote another model, “it won’t happen overnight, but it will happen”.  

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Today I was going to write about Journaling & how to change your life, however, something happened this morning that made me think. Many of us work hard to improve ourselves, practicing acts of kindness and forgiveness, veganism, yoga meditation, living with a waste free goal, or some form of positivity, when we can. But what does it matter if this beautiful world we live in is populated by assholes?

Case in point:

Tine: Yesterday morning

Place: JBHiFi

I took a thing in to get a charger and the salesman broke it. Did he apologies, replace it, anything? He gave both pieces back and walked away. Another salesperson asked what happened, I told him the other guy broke it, and he said “Oh well” and walked away.

I know it was an accident, he didn’t lurk around waiting for me to come in so he could break my thing. But he did. In his capacity as salesperson, he represents the store.

Question, what would you have done, if you were him?

I would have apologised and rushed to my manager, undertake whatever fate awaited me. I can hear ‘young kids these days’ rattling around in the ether. I don’t think it’s a generational thing, my beautiful 20 year old daughter would have replaced it out of her own money.

Question, what would you have done if you were me?

I didn’t say anything in the store, no point. I emailed the store to see what they’d do, I advised I’d write this blog and offered them an opportunity to make it right.

Thinking about it, it’s an opportunity to practice forgiveness to rise above the ugliness. I want to make the world a more beautiful place so I won’t encourage negative unethical entities by associating with the store again. However, I do forgive the lad and the store.

Wow that feels so good!! I can’t not encourage you enough to do the same in your own situations. Be the best person you can be in every facet of your existence. I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I do know I feel fantastic. To be continued…

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Confidence

How to own yourself

Be yourself. Be happy. Harm none. Live your dharma.

All societies have ideals of beauty. If a member of a society does not have features aligned with the current ideals, this member can experience a lack of confidence. People who age out of youth also tend to consider themselves less attractive and therefore less valuable. However, beauty standards are different in different geographical locations and times in history.

The four most important things to do in this life is to be yourself, be happy, harm none and live your dharma. You are the center of your universe and you need to treat yourself as such. This is true of the rose, every stage is beautiful, bud, closed flower, full bloom and hips. The rose doesn’t look at the other roses and close up in self depreciation. It lifts its face to the sun and shines in all its glory. It loves itself, honestly.

The worst thing would be to get to the end of life with regrets of unfulfilled wishes. What do you want, love, hate? What are your goals? Journal your answers. Have you always loved dreadlocks but never done your hair? Do you have a hat you’d love to wear? Keep your best cutlery and china locked away so never use it? Love to travel? Want to move? Renovate? Minimise? Maximise? In short, honestly express yourself in your journal. We’ll address how you will you get there next blog.

Is there someone stopping you evolve? Why? Is there a good/safe reason why you can’t live life the way you want to?

Yes – can you negotiate the changes you can make? Be realistic, but don’t be confined unnecessarily. When I was 14 to 18 I taught horse riding and beach-craft at summer camps. One week a year was for blind kids. Yep! I taught blind kids to ride horses! And I learnt very little is impossible if we really want to do it.

No – Do what makes you happy, it’s you life and your not hurting anyone. Love and bless you. You can’t absolve yourself of your responsibilities. I mean if you’re a parent, be the best parent you can be. However, if you parent a 40 year old fully functioning adult… Don’t hurt anyone, be kind but you deserve to truly be yourself. Believe it or not Coco Chanel grew up in absolute poverty, her life was completely miserable, so in her own words “My life didn't please me, so I created my life”. Don’t be fooled, this is a hard road and you’ll have to go through a period of chaos, think the tower in the tarot. But how sweet will it be when you’re you?

I heard a thought, Caterpillars would tease butterflies for being ugly, just before they fly away. I don’t know about you, but no one pays my bills, the only one I need to answer to is God (beliefs differ however my belief is all life combined is God) so ultimately I’m answering to myself. This is why it is also imperative to be yourself – creation is not whole if you are not being you.

I wish you every happiness and I hope all your dreams come true.

Next blog, What do you want, love, hate? What are your goals? Find out journaling

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Sourced from: https://www.google.com/search?q=free+horder+pic&safe=active&sxsrf=ACYBGNRFwPnxgHcLj9ibyBaC5ZzSLXYn4w:1567983805399&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-0e_tqsLkAhWHF3IKHeI8CNgQ_AUIEigB&biw=1051&bih=500#imgrc=1yFTpSBLOsCfDM:&spf=1567983868896

Sourced from: https://picjumbo.com/download/?d=dark-wood-texture.jpg&n=free-dark-wood-texture&id=12

Sourced at: https://burst.shopify.com/photos/modern-wood-panelled-wall-and-shelving-interior?q=interior+styles

[cinderellaconsulting-blog]

Do You !

Chapter 1

So the most common question in in design is what style should I do? There are so many different styles available to people right now and so many places where you can access pieces for your style, some easier than others for sure. What to choose? People get confused throw their hands in the air and forget the whole idea sadly.

Truth is, the most insanely important aspect is to do you!  Meaning, to be truly your home, your space needs to be an extension of you, your loves, what makes you happy, comfy and relaxed? Life and people are sooo stressy, when you walk into your home you need to feel ‘ahhhhh’, shoulders drop in relief! And that feeling will be achieved differently for everyone. So ask yourself some questions and record your answers within a ‘Lookbook’ or journal either virtual or real:

What is my fav colour/s? So for me I love every colour except pink and orange.

Describe your happy place? A billabong in Darwin clothed in lotus flowers.

What do you lose time doing? Designing, painting, travelling and exploring

What is your favourite travel destination? Paris!!!!

Gather examples of these things and put them together in your lookbook. Don’t worry about the aesthetic of this, you just need to put the items adjacent. Flick some paint in your fav colours, add notes & voila, you can see what you love, yay!

The second most common question is ‘How does what is trending right now adapt to my style?’ Remember you are not designing your nest for just now, you are going to live in your new space for the foreseeable future. So you are designing for the future. Will you love in 1 year or 10 years what you love now? The fashion and trends will move on. So if you choose timeless and classic pieces you adore, you will always be happy. To be concise – do you

 Checkout the different styles online. Don’t look in stores yet – you’ll absolutely blow your budget. You don’t need to pick just one style, you can have a combination of 2 or more styles. Record in your lookbook. Don’t worry about all the aspects and items of styles you are not incorporating into your design, you are creating a space that is perfectly you. For example, don’t get stuck on thinking things like you have a million things, photos, black is your fav colour but you love minimalism and don’t think it will combine, don’t worry we have tricks for that. Hooking up a huge virtual picture frame on slideshow will display all your memories for you to enjoy constantly, and it will be better than any art for you. The light and airy atmosphere of white walls interspersed with black feature walls will highlight everything else, like negative space around your objects, plus everything you buy will get to be black. Konmari would encourage you to purge your things in the ‘Sentimental Items’ stage (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNaPKFA1niUFRgzkVqqhJVg). However, if you have traveled, had amazing times and collected memories, and want to keep them all, pop all your precious bits in large coordinating glass containers in your chosen style, there are hundreds of designs in ‘cheap shops’. Alternatively you could place your things in a cupboard, beautifully displayed when the door is open and invisible when the door is closed. It’s imperative to express exactly what YOU love. Don’t let yourself to be influenced by others or ‘shoulds’. It’s your home, your money, your life, your choice!