Today I spent some time listing things on TradeMe — books, natural pigments, a flute, and a lot of Sistaco products. It’s not a big clear‑out or a dramatic life shift. It’s simply something I need to do. The garage here is full, and if I don’t start moving things along, I’ll get in trouble. So I’m doing my best to stay on top of it.
There’s a strange kind of honesty in sorting through your belongings. Each item has a little story attached to it — a colour I once loved, a hobby I thought I’d explore, a book I meant to read. Some things remind me of who I used to be, and some remind me of who I’m becoming. Recovery isn’t only about the big emotional work. Sometimes it’s about these small, practical steps that keep life steady and manageable.
As I photographed each item and wrote its description, I felt that familiar mix of practicality and reflection. Selling things isn’t glamorous, but it’s grounding. It reminds me that I’m taking responsibility for my space, my choices, and my future. I’m not running from things anymore. I’m dealing with them, one listing at a time.
There’s also a quiet relief in letting certain objects go. Not because they’re painful, but because they’re simply no longer part of my life. I don’t need to hold onto everything. I don’t need to carry every version of myself forward. Some things can be released gently, without drama, without meaning anything more than “I don’t need this now.”
Working on my autobiography is a huge emotional project. Some days it feels heavy, and some days it feels hopeful. Doing these TradeMe listings today reminded me that progress doesn’t always look like writing a chapter. Sometimes it looks like clearing a shelf, making space, and staying accountable to the life I’m building.
I’m learning that recovery is made up of small, steady actions. Today wasn’t about breakthroughs. It was about responsibility, honesty, and taking care of what needs to be taken care of. And that’s part of my journey too.