Reflective decluttering

We are living in temporary accommodation at the moment, while we wait for a house sale.

New Year 2025 and I decided to look through a plastic tub with all my psychotherapy material in it. Most of the contents were from 2005 -2013 and provided the background to the publication of the book, 'Are you Chasing Rainbows?' There were years of memories. Some of the material could be thrown away, which was idea of looking inside the tub.  These were my conclusion after the first filter, which I posted on Facebook.

Book Tub Declutter Part 1. Completed.

Discovered from background reading and newspaper cuttings from 20 years ago.

1. Media was full of problem children and problem parenting.

2. Doctors were over prescribing medications.

3. Medications could have serious side effects.

4. Adults were behaving like children.

No change there.

5. Experienced and survived some serious workplace bullying.

6.Had some wonderful supportive colleagues - Wendy Amey Gail Rhodes and local paper The Press in York

7. The initial ideas were the right ideas, but in the wrong format.

8. Didn't give up.

9. It is nearly five years since the last entry on my blog.

10. Am motivated again.

#areyouchasingrainbows #emotionalintelligence #wisewords

#nevertooold #nevergiveup

A week later I started another filtering and posted again on Facebook.

Book Tub Cull Part 2. Completed

How a book evolves...

2001-5 -Increasing awareness that clients admitting they felt like children.

2005 - Create a visual timeline illustrating an emotional hijack.

2006 - Mention timeline to Wendy Amey, who uses it successfully with clients. Together with Wendy Amey and John Amey we develop an idea for a workbook to accompany the illustration. Create draft series called ‘Act Your Age’. Not popular. Change to 'Chasing Rainbows...'. Change of plans due to logistics.

2007 - Last minute conference replacement. Call presentation, ‘Chasing Rainbows’.

2008 - 2013 Peer group opposition, family bereavement, work relocation and house move intervene.

2013 - Stick to my guns. Find supportive and motivating publisher, Ed Peppitt. Create pen name Alison R Russell. Publish book.

©AlisonRRussell2025