Minimalism has inspired me and taught me so much since I first discovered it three years ago. It has helped me not to just re-evaluate my possessions but also my attitudes to money, time and lifestyle. Now we live a happier, simpler life on a much smaller budget.
Over the last three years I have decluttered years of possessions, gone part-time, downsized our house, reduced my overspending, streamlined my wardrobe, started to waste less food, begun to enjoy more time with family and friends and found more time for interests like reading and walking. I have also, of course, been inspired to start writing this blog.
So what are my minimalist plans for 2014?
I have big minimalist plans for 2014. Living in a much smaller house requires discipline but stuff soon creeps back in. Since moving here in June 2012 we have celebrated several birthdays and two Christmases and the house is beginning to groan a little with the excess weight of surplus possessions. Now is the time for further decluttering. Here's a list of my main minimalist aims for this year.
- Declutter our loft space (this has now become our 'spare room' a.k.a. our dumping ground). Although it is invaluable for storing items we use only occasionally it still contains items from our last house move that we have still not used. Time to go through everything in there.
- Declutter our bedroom (we have stuff stashed under the bed and few clear surfaces). Remember my Making Room series? Time for a relaunch - this room deserves so much more.
- Declutter our paperwork (my least favorite job).
- Have a serious attempt at decluttering my laptop as it is suffering from a severe lack of memory.
- Continue editing my wardrobe. I followed Project 333 twice last year (winter and summer) and my wardrobe is emptier but I still have a suitcase of clothes in the loft. It's time to revisit these items and either sell or donate them. It would be so much easier to have all my clothes in one space or at least to know that my out-of-season clothes in the loft are all needed.
- Create a wish list to move my wardrobe nearer to a fully coordinating capsule wardrobe. Project 333 has taught me that a capsule wardrobe does require planning. Apart from a £40 gift voucher (Christmas present) I think I could manage a whole year without buying clothes. I intend to write about any new wardrobe purchases here as means of disciplining myself. If I do buy more clothes they will be to fill the gaps in my wardrobe.
- Redesign our small lawned garden into a low maintenance courtyard garden. Last year we hoped to remove our small lawn but were unsure exactly how to do it. It would be great to accomplish this makeover in 2014 as it would free up more time and give us so much pleasure.
- Minimalise time wasted to allow more time for personal and health goals - but that's another post.
- Minimalise money wasted by following a strict grocery budget to allow for a few new experiences and treats (coffee shops, days out and possibly a holiday) throughout the year. This year I aim to analyze my spending diary, menu plans and shopping receipts much more regularly and thoroughly.
So I'm setting myself quite a few challenges: major decluttering, a garden makeover and sticking to a tight budget. I need a lot of motivation so as well as reading my favorite minimalist blogs I will be gleaming tips from my frugal blogging friends as much as I can.
Do you have any major decluttering projects for 2014? Would you like to simplify your life more this year? I'd love to hear from you.
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