My work tends to go in cycles. I have a very hectic period from mid-January until the end of June and then again from mid-August until mid-December. During those times I am on the go all the time. I rush around and work most weekends. When I leave work in the early morning I will not be back until about 8pm at night and I carry my office around with me in my large handbag and my planner. By the end of a two month stretch I am sick of the sight of both handbag and planner, my back aches and I am tired.
So generally when summer approaches and the load gets lighter, my mind wanders to colourful, smaller bags and planners. I don’t have to carry scarves, gloves and hats with me and the paper load is less because all the group courses end at the beginning of June and I only have individual training which requires less paper.
My work changes at that time – I work more with translationI, I sort out all my paperwork at home and in my more copious spare time I do things that are neglected during my busy time – have my hair cut, go to the doctor and dentist, sort through my wardrobe and take things to the charity shop, to sell, to be dry-cleaned, to mend. and have a huge tidy and clear out of books, magazines, and old course materials. I also plan my days away (I usually travel during the summer).
This means that my planning can move into a notebook (usually a Midori-type traveler’s notebook) and my planner/wallet can move from personal size to pocket size because I don’t have that many meetings (probably three or four a week as against 7 or 8 a day).
I find the process of moving into a smaller handbag and planner as exciting as packing my luggage for a holiday where soft faded worn denim and simple leather flat sandals are the order of the day.
Does anyone else do this? Downsize or have the urge to downsize over summer?
