To make a task or job easier and quicker to do: get clever and cut the corners. It’s something we can all do for the mundane jobs that steal our precious time!

I’ve got a brilliant one for putting a duvet cover back on. I simply hang the duvet over the balustrades, and then do some tricky, but nifty corner – grabbing- shaking stuff – and it’s done. Hooray!

Even though the cerebral palsy is hindering, I’m efficient at housework; as a child parent, I’m well-experienced…

Yet, it’s not always been about cutting corners, albeit, I had to pull-off some quick – thinking ones, when I heard the dreaded key fob. The metallic chinking sending my arms flaying and eyes pinging- out on stalks. I had to scour the rooms- seeking perfection.

Goodness me mother was difficult, woe betide me if her cup of tea wasn’t ready when she walked in, and the right colour and temperature, no trace of tannin permitted. She would throw it down the sink – if it was wrong.  The kettle had to face a certain direction, without over-looking, that her tea had to be served in a bone china cup and saucer, when her fickle mood fancied… and then each room was scrutinized, and I was punished for her perceived imperfections.

In those days her ridiculous procedures and recitals were exhausting: memorizing insignificant dates, prayers for latest-fad religions: Tried-on and disposed of, like a jacket. By the time I was eleven, she’d changed faith at least four times.

It was a continuous roll call of unnecessary procedures and rituals; all of which had to be undertaken, and, she’d regularly test us, with watched- over precision…

And so, in my adulthood, the echoes of such energy-depleting screeds rang – on, and for too many years. But one day and on purpose, I started to cut corners, because I’d grown consciously aware that the dictator’s narrative was not mine.

It was immensely energising to do things my way, and to finally release myself from the spell of the anxious six-year-old bilious self. Moreover, I found lots of ways to cut corners which made everyday living that bit easier.

And guess what? It’s so calming and time -saving, new petals of calm flourish in me now. Chunks of time saved for important stuff.

I’ve been looking at the other vile ivy threads that clutched at the soul of me. The echoes of my childhood and I’m encouraging you to try doing it too – if this resonates with you. If you carry the weight any kind of trauma. Look at what its origin is, like the roots of an actual ivy bush. We must purposefully cut behavioral corners, from our psyche.

You’re already doing this subconsciously and likely with addled or sleepy minds. Simply start thinking about them, how they started, because it will help soothe and heal you. To help you to achieve this, start by narrating your way through the day. If possible, aloud – this way you will listen to number one. Number one rules okay, and you deserve to be strong!!  After only a few days of doing this, you with start to unearth yours, and then you will be able to chop- off and fix each one, in turn: one gentle step at a time!

I hope this is helpful.

SUNNY wishes,

Emma x