Resolutions 2021

Thursday, January 14, 2021



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

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11 comments

  1. I'm pretty sure I read that book a few years ago. Did she become a property guardian in London? Funnily enough a derelict pub by us has just become a member of that scheme and I was racking my brains trying to think of where I'd read about it so you've answered my question!
    I agree that shopping can be just a habit, I though I 'd miss charity shops when we were in the first lockdown but I was more than happy being at home with my interests and hobbies and could itch that scratch by looking at lovely things on ebay, watching them and not buying.
    Buying seeds is totally allowed! xxx

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    1. The author was based in the US so I don’t think so, it’s likely there is more than one book on the subject.
      I missed charity shopping at the start of lockdown but soon realised that I didn’t need all the small purchases I was making. I’d like to think when this is all over that charity shopping will be a treat that I enjoy occasionally.
      I’m really looking forward to making my final selection of seeds, it’s really exciting!
      Xx

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  2. my goodness yes seeds are very essential - look at the pleasure you get from growing things, nourishing yourself etc., you can harvest seeds for next year so they are an investment ... does your library have an online app? for several years I have been able to read books on my tablet and also magazines - radio times, you name it - all free - I think a lot of libraries provide this - I hope you will explore their website - ebooks - the latest ones - there's a huge source out there you may be able to tap into and never have to set foot to the library door! I hope you wont be too strict in your challenge - I believe we need small pleasures and if something is beautiful and useful it's worthy.

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    1. I did have a quick look at the library website but mostly to see if it offered a click and collect service. I’ll definitely take another look.
      My list of seeds is growing, they, and anything garden related, is on my essential spending list. It’d be madness to ban such things.
      The idea isn’t to deny myself anything but to try harder to identify the stuff that I really don’t need. I don’t need more clothes or books - I have plenty - but if I see something I love I’ll make it mine.
      Xx

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  3. I'm admiring your resolution to make 2021 the year of less! There are certainly areas that I can improve in too, as long as they don't involve books, clothes or plants :-) Although I agree having a good decluttering session in the books and clothes department from time to time is a necessity, I'd have a hard time giving up my shopping habit for both. Especially note in these trying times, when I do feel the need for a bit of retail therapy at the charity shops now and then. Good luck with your challenge, Hazel. If there's anyone who can do it, it's got to be you! xxx

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    1. Thanks for the vote of confidence Ann!
      I'm not going to deny myself the odd treat, it's about being more mindful, I'm such an impulse shopper and it's left me with so much stuff!
      Have all the retail therapy you Ann, these are strange times.
      xx

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  4. Well, these are all definitely laudible. I have made a low key resolution which I am not setting in stone but TRYING to stick to, only to buy one item a month for me (of the clothing, book, accessory kind) - I have bought my one item this month- which I am ITCHING to arrive, mainly to confirm my hope that I have, yet again, IDed an item of Yaz Khan's wardrobe- so hoping I have found the item a few people also wanted to ID! I DID almost cave last week on Instagram and ask Lorelai to make me a bubble wrap heart necklace as I was feeling sorry for her as she made a story saying she hadn't had many sales that week but then she was rather rude in posting a message some 20minutes later telling people not to DM as she wishes she could stop the messages which seemed like a direct response to my message AND a really nice one earlier in the week where I complimented her designs and suggested a design idea (the one I was to then ask if she'd consider making) so it was just as well she was rude as I then didn't break my resolution!

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  5. ....whether the rudeness was intentional or not...

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    1. It's s good resolution. I had that for clothing last year, and whilst I did buy more than 12 items, it did stop me buying a number of items.
      Sounds like Lorelai is struggling a bit, what a shame she was rude when people where probably just trying to be kind and supportive.
      I hope your purchase arrives soon and that it is a correctly IDd Yaz item - I look forward to seeing it!
      Good luck with your resolution :)
      xx

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  6. It's an excellent direction to aim for. I'm terrible though, whenever I hope to become less something I usually end up being more of it. I could never cut down on my seeds and plants spending, I feel like it's such a worthwhile spend. My vest tops are all worn out now, it's dreadful but replacing them is such a challenge as I really liked the cotton/elastane mix and the fit. A good vest top is hard to find.
    I'd love to get rid of a lot of 'stuff' but since the vast majority of it belongs to C I suspect he'd be very cross.

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    1. It's the impulse purchases and unnecessary items that I want to avoid, seeds and anything garden related will absolutely be permitted!
      I'm doing OK with online purchases at the moment (it's only been 20 days), but I do wonder how I'll get on when the shops open again, a little wander around my local charity shop will be very tempting indeed.
      I go to Primark for my vest tops (the spaghetti strap variety from the underwear dept), I know they have a lousy reputation but these tops last for years, I haven't found anything to rival them yet. I have tried some more ethical (more expensive) options that sadly didn't do well in comparison.
      Luckily Andy doesn't have much stuff - not in the house anyway, the sheds are another matter - so I'm lucky not to have the spouse/junk issue. It's a tricky one to navigate.
      xx

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