Last year I decided to make monthly resolutions but with the year we had I stopped making any after March, and focused on getting through the weirdness that was 2020.

This year I've decided that I want to focus on less. Accumulating and having less to be specific. To be a more mindful consumer.

An Instagram post I saw at the end of 2019 sparked the idea, this person purchased just five items over the course of the year (barring gifts for others, and essentials like food and toiletries). Five items - a shower squeegee, a silicon food pouch and a coconut bottle brush, and two lovely Christmas decorations (a rather splendid ceramic carrot and turnip).

I admired the dedication that required. She said it was simply a case of making the decision that she wouldn't buy anything, that she had all she needed. (I'd link to the post but I couldn't find it when I scrolled back).

I'd been thinking about this post over the course of 2020 and I think it's what prompted me to buy my final purchase of the year - a book called The Year of Less by Cait Flanders. I've already read it and I've realised that giving up unnecessary spending is more than just deciding, it's a process of breaking habits that have been formed over a number of years.

I haven't got it all figured out yet, but I'm hopeful that I can shift my focus to using and appreciating what I have, and doing some more decluttering in the process. Of course I see the irony of buying a book to help me stop spending but it was an interesting read (although the author talked a lot about her life and not as much about her spending ban as I'd have liked).

The first and probably most obvious change I can make it to use the flippin' library! I signed up for a library card a few years ago and other than taking shelter in there from the rain one day I haven't actually borrowed a single book. Of course my local library is shut at the moment, but it'll reopen when this latest lockdown is lifted.

I kept a list of all my spending last year and books are definitely one area in which I can spend less. I might not need to use my local library much as I have more than 50 books sitting in my TBR pile, which is more than enough to keep me entertained for an entire year. But if I need a reference book, a cookery book, or am tempted by the latest 'must-read' then I'll be making my way to the library.

I've said this many times before but clothes are another area for improvement, I have more than enough, although I can foresee a few things I might need. But need is the key word here.

For example I know I'll need some vest tops soon, ones to sleep in, as the elastic is going on the ones I have (they're all a good few years old), and I'll need some new underpants at some point, honestly some of my current ones are in a shameful state, I hope I don't get run over.

I don't foresee any occasions coming up that will require a specific clothing purchase, weddings, evening events, and other special occasions won't be on the cards for a while thanks to the continuing pandemic, but even if an invitation came my way I'm confident that I have something suitable in my wardrobe already.

As I say I haven't got it all figured out just yet but the intention, and basic idea is there. Being in lockdown again with non essential shops shut certainly helps in the short term, allowing me to work on resisting online impulse purchases.

There are other things I would like to do this year but I'm not sure I'd call them resolutions, I'm pretty certain that wanting to grow coral coloured sunflowers, and double the amount of peas don't count :) but that raises the question are seeds an essential purchase? I think we can all agree that they are, yes?

Are you making any resolutions?

Take care and stay safe.
xx