This is an awesome thread! Fiona I'm going to find that book and read it, sounds good.

I definitely put aside time on a regular (almost daily basis) for mental housekeeping. It's not a set time, just when I need it or get a chance. I am pretty well constantly monitoring myself and thinking about how I'm feeling and whats happening. That sounds horrible written like that and I'm probably not expressing myself very well today but I think a lot about stuff like this. I'm definitely not an impulsive reactor to things. Sometimes I wish I was because it could be simpler in lots of ways but I ALWAYS think about my response and question whether its appropriate or reasonable.

I also do a lot of emotional housekeeping for others in my work. While I love my job most of the time, it has meant that I've had to develop good mental strategies for myself. To put boundaries around other people's stuff and to spend enough time with myself in my head (rather than everyone else in there as well!). That's probably why I feel like I do this every day or few days.

I also think that I'm getting better at it (or quicker as someone else mentioned) as I get older and have more life experience to compare things to. I used to ruminate for days and weeks about specific issues and replay things in my head and obssess etc but I seem to be getting faster to put things into perspective and move on. Big life events can change the way you view the little stuff. It's all relative I guess.

In terms of the people around me in my family and close friends, I think most of them are good emotional housekeepers too. Some aren't obviously and when I was younger I seemed to attract the 'dramatic' people who were always in crisis as friends. I got burned quite a few times and so now, when I spot that personality style, I am polite and friendly but I don't put myself on the line anymore and I don't invest too much emotionally unless I know it's a two way street. I have enough one-way street and 'dramatic' stuff in my working life so a while ago I decided that I didn't want to invite that sort of dynamic into my personal life. That sounds harsh but like MD said, this is part of my taking care of myself so I maintain the capacity to help others (clients, real friends etc).