Thursday 31 January 2013

A month of less

I don't have any photos to accompany this post but as my blog is my diary I wanted to record how January has felt.

Firstly I can't believe a month has passed since I sat breakfasting alone on New Year's day and saw the perfect rainbow which is on my 1st January post.
I'm a little sad that one whole month of the year has gone by in what seems like the blink of an eye but it also serves as a reminder to make the most of every day.

So the title of the post is a month of less and one of the things this refers to is the fact I have spent less time online and less time blogging. It's something I needed to do as there was so much happening here. However I have still managed to make 9 posts this month and kept up (just about) with everyone else. 
Of course not fiddling around on the lap top has been given me more time to do other things, I have read a bit more, I have watched a movie and I have made a couple of things and so this is definitely a good thing.

Less also refers to the fact that there is now less stuff in the house.
After a bit of umming and ahhing (spell check doesn't like that at all!) I signed up for the works on Brocante home
I know that some people are very motivated and don't need a guiding hand but I'm not one of those people.
I like to be organised and I really annoy myself when I don't succeed in getting my act together enough.
I know this kind of thing isn't for everyone but I have found the downloads sent to me by Alison immensely helpful and quite inspirational.
Drawers have been tidied and similar items have been collected together in one place and not strewn across many different places. I know some will be shaking their heads and saying 'Duh of course that's the way you should keep orgainsed' and although changes like these are small I'm so pleased to have made them as they have made a big difference to me.
The whole concept has just made me look at myself and my home in a different way and make a fresh start, very timely for the start of a new year.
I have taken lots of things to the charity shop and feel all the better for doing so.
I am making changes to how I do things and where I keep things, all so I can give myself more time to do other things I want to do with my time.

Less spending has all happened this month. Some of it because of having to be indoors because of sickness, some because of having to be indoors due to rubbish weather, but even when I have been out I have been more discerning about what I chose to buy.

The worst 'less' of the month has be the lack of getting out and about. I have felt very restricted this month and probably for some of December too and don't feel as though I have really been able to go out and do much. I enjoy our family weekends of colouring and board games, Wii games and playing with Barbies but I love it when we are popping out for a walk, hopping on a train to somewhere different or whizzing over to the park, it seems like a very long time since we did anything like that.

One thing I definitely wanted less of was stress. Don't we all!
Work was really getting me down last year, not the job, just one person and I was very relieved when it came to my two weeks off at Christmas. I resolved to be calmer on my return and that has, for the most part, been working. 

There are a lot of good things that have come out of the 'lesser' things and I hope I can carry these forward to next month and through the rest of 2013.

12 comments:

  1. Less is very often more - and I could have written most of this myself this month. Wish you lived nearer my friend xxxxxx

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  2. Having an organised home and life definitely makes things simpler and less stressful, so whatever works for you to make little improvements is good. Having a clear out also declutters the mind.
    I spent less this month too, due to 2 weeks of heavy snow, just getting to work and back was bad enough I didn't want to go anywhere else.

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  3. How can it be the end of January already? But it is; I'm glad you listed your 'less of' things. So many of them are sensible things to do; less time wasting, less spending, less stuff. If you keep this up for the whole year, where will you be?
    Now if only I can get inspired by your post and get some more lesses in my life! ;)

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  4. I HATE JANUARY, there, I've said it. I can't believe it's over already, but February isn't much better. I'm just looking forward and longing for a summer that we haven't had for years.

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  5. I agree with you January has just flown by. Computers can be very time consuming and I too would hope that at some point this year I can get myself more organized. It seems we are singing from the same hymn sheet!
    June

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  6. Great post, Lisa - you've inspired me to do a January 'wrap-up' post, too! Have a lovely weekend x

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  7. January seems to be the best time to pull back from everything and cut down on things we don't need. Maybe it's just a society thing, or maybe it's something to do with the excess of Christmas, but it works for me! I've enjoyed doing and having less in January!

    Catherine xxx

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  8. This post sounds like someone in charge of their life, which is what I need to do!! Love your attitude Lisa.
    There is a world out there which I forget sometimes when blogging.
    I hope the less stress continues...ps you dont happen to have jury service in March do you, I think I could do with a friend. (I mean that I have jury service and not that I need help ;P )

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  9. Well done Lisa ! if you needed a prod then I'm glad there was something to prod you !
    I started January well & fizzled out but do have a pile of stuff to take to the charity shop.
    I'm looking forward to your next outing as I love reading about them !
    Thank you for your lovely comment x

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  10. A lovely post Lisa. I used to read Brocante Home and you have reminded me to go and visit there again. I used to like reading about Alison's shenanigans with her love life! I wish I was organised but I am not. If only I could find a place for everything! I took some stuff to the charity shop on Monday but I still have loads of 'stuff' to unburden myself with. By the way, I hope you have some room for a moonstone charm - you are the winner!!! x

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  11. I can too recognize myself in your lovely post!
    Have a lovely week!
    xxx

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  12. Such a thoughtful post. Less is sometimes more it seems. January can be a hard month, especially when the snow stops us getting out and about as we'd like. At least spring is on it's way.

    Gillian x

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