OUT with the old and in with the new.

Isn't that what they say?

It's definitely a great time of year to mentally and physically have a good old clear out.

Having had a major clear out recently, I was amazed that my daughter still managed to find bits and pieces which she decided were destined for the bin.

"What on earth are you holding on to this for?" Jenna queried while holding up a large reusable cardboard tube.

"I might need to post something someday," I argued, grabbing it from her and putting it back in its usual place.

"Well, you haven't had anything to post in eight years," she narked back.

"Because that's how long you've had it."

Chatting to my friends about my efforts to de-clutter, Mae chipped in: "Last summer I cleared out my full garage ... it took me a whole day."

"And I bet you felt better for it," I replied.

"Not really," Mae laughed out loud, "because somehow I ended up putting everything back in the garage again."

Realising that Mae and I could benefit from a physical and mental de-clutter I booked us both into a free meditation class.

"Meditation?"

Mae was aghast at the very thought.

"Isn't that what Monks do?"

"Mae, it helps to train your brain," I answered attempting to convince her that she could experience great benefits from meditation classes.

"It can clear your mind and can also have a calming effect."

So, reluctantly, Mae joined me and about thirty others who were already seated in the dimly lit room.

Settling next to each other we were instructed to make ourselves comfortable, take a deep breath, and concentrate on the dot on the large orange and silver painting illuminated high on the wall in front of us.

Suddenly, a soothing female voice echoed around the dark room.

"Take a deep breath. Mmmmmmm. In and out."She repeated.

"Feel your body relax from your head to your toes."

The voice attempted to loosen up every part of our body.

I could hear Mae taking deep breaths in and out as instructed. And, for a while all, seemed to be going great and I was starting to relax as I peered intensely at the bright dot.

Whoosh. I exhaled in unison with the others in the room - until out of the blue I was suddenly elbowed in the ribs.

"I need the toilet," Mae whispered.

"Aaargh... Great timing," I thought.

On her return I gestured to Mae to focus again on the illuminated dot.

Sitting back into position, Mae silently gave me the thumbs up while I prayed that our classmates were oblivious to her goings-on as she yet again attempted to inhale deeply and focus.

The voice spoke again.

"By now you should be awake inside without being aware of anything except awareness itself."

Another poke in the ribs.

"Eh? What does that mean?"

Knowing Mae has the attention span of a five-year-old, I guessed this was going to be a challenge so I tried to silence her by giving her the evil eye.

Again, in and out we breathed slowly in silence until ...

The voice.

"Train your mind like you would train your body and observe your wandering thoughts."

Another dig in the ribs.

Attempting to maintain the calmness of the room, my eyes were almost out on stocks as I gave my restless pal another silent but deadly stare.

The voice.

"You are now aware of your middle eye which is centred in your brain."

In anticipation of another poke in the ribs I managed to scold Mae with one eye open and one eye closed. After all, I was still trying desperately to focus on the illuminated dot that was going to change my life.

Secretly scanning the room I thought to myself: "How can this be? There is calmness all around except for me and my fidgeting pal."

"Whoosh. In and out. In and out," the voice repeated.

"Practice. Practice. Practice, and eventually you will be able to stay happy all of the time, even in the most difficult circumstances."

"Have we got homework then?" a familiar voice whispered.

And that was the final straw.

On the train home I foolishly attempted to sum up our new experience.

"Well, do you feel mentally de-cluttered and calm then Mae?" (Because I certainly didn't).

"Calm? Sorry Janice. I don't think meditation is for me. My mind is like my garage. Cluttered, full to bursting and crammed with useless things," she puffed.

"And I don't see that changing any time soon."

And funnily enough neither did I.