h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

There's no need to hold onto things which don't fit my life.

No need to keep clothes which fit and are perfectly serviceable, but don't suit me. No need to keep whatever was given to me, unless I like it and still need it.

No need to keep hold of "just in case".

The very worst of poverty ended several years ago. It still has the tips of its claws in me, I still bear the scars of it, but by the standards of those years, I'm extremely wealthy.

Enough money to pay the bills and still have some over. Enough for luxuries - not caviar or vintage champagne, but enough to spare on a secondhand dress (for a special occasion which might be this summer) just because I like it and it'll suit me. Enough for a bus fare to and from the swimming pool. Enough to live instead of existing.

And so, tonight, I'm combing through a compacted and tangled mound of clothes. Some for the textile bank, some for the charity shop, some to wash and wear, some for the bin. A scary number of pairs of worn out black leggings have been unearthed, the same goes for a double armful of opaque tights.

The ConDems are still in power but for now, I hope, Him Indoors and I are relatively safe. And we will continue to extend what we can, when we can, of that safety to others.