Hi There Babelicious,

So it's 2019. 

How are you going with your New Years Resolutions?

Slipping already (like me...)?

Look, New Years resolutions can be fun. No need to get too serious and overanalyse the little process- mental or on paper- that many of us go through as the next calendar year begins.

We just want to be out best selves.

The problem is that, of course, i'm still me.

You're still you.

And changing things is really hard. Mentally, environmentally, emotionally, spiritually.

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just accept that, and not feel so bad about ourselves when the good intentions don't quite match up to our actions?

I notice that when we start to feel bad like that it makes doing new things even harder. The not-good-enoughs creep in; shame steps into the spotlight; we run away, stop trying, and add to the failure stories circling in our minds.

Enter Sharon Chisholm.

Sharon is a women’s coach; an outspoken advocate for people with Bipolar and reducing the stigma of mental illness. She appeared on SBS last year in ‘How Mad Are You?’

She also started a decluttering group on Facebook less than a week ago that already has over 700 members (and counting).

But what does mental health have to do with ‘Tidying Up’? 

And why might being part of a group actually enable us to make positive changes and let go of shame (instead of increasing it)?

...

You may be aware that, alongside being a therapist, I also volunteer as a presenter on my local community radio station.

There's not always a crossover between my Unveiled Stories community and my radio show. 

But in this case I just had to share with you my interview with Sharon Chisholm all about Marie Kondo's Netflix show 'Tidying Up' (click on the blue 'listen here' button below).

Sharon talks in depth with me about the overwhelming positivity in her FB group, how the members are dealing with all the ‘decluttered’ stuff (no they’re not just clogging up Vinnies), and the exhilaration turned to shame many people experience around consuming ‘to feel better’.

Also, there's a whole lot of eclectic Japanese music in keeping with the Marie Kondo vibes (but if it's not to your taste, feel free to skip it of course). 

Interview starts at 24 mins.

Love,

Nicole