:: I'm feeling a bit spring-spirated ::

{ jonquils in our garden }

 

I think Spring forgot that he doesn't officially start until next week, because this week has been about as different to the last several dreary months as a rain-sogged sock is to a fluffy-warm-sundried towel. It's like there really is a Spring "switch" up there above the clouds.

 

The change in temperature (literally double numbers to what we had) has produced a surge of energy in me. I feel fresh, productive, ready to shake of the winter woolies and really welcome Spring into my home and heart.

 

I've got a few challenges up my sleeve for the month of September. The idea of "minimalism" has been appealing to me for some time now, and although there is no way I could truly cull my possessions back to life-and-death basics, I know that I have way too many things that I would never miss if they were to disappear without my knowledge.

 

I started my "purge" the other week actually, by selecting a large box from the shed, and making it the mini challenge for the day to fill it. Didn't matter what with... clothes, books, coffee mugs... but I had to fill it with things I could part with, right there and then. It was very easy to do. So now I'm inspired to get even more ruthless, and cut, cut, cut! Is that cake tin that I only use for 'that cake' (which I make once every 4 years) really worth the space it takes up in my pokey, overcrowded kitchen cupboard? Does that pair of shoes that I used to love but are looking a bit too shabby (and have been avoided for the last year) need to go? I found some really good tips in this article here:

http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2013/08/27/clutter-free-forever-vintage-tips-for-an-organized-home/

 

My biggest hurdle is overcoming my sentimentality. I am huuugely sentimental, and keep rocks, coins, letters, school assignments, my school desk contents (including my pencil stubs...they were pretty pencils that saw me through many tough days, understand?!) and even my major haircut 'trophies'. I disgust myself sometimes. But it's time to get real. If I lost all this in a housefire, would I even remember I owned it?

 

The other challenge that Jason and I are giving ourselves for the month of September, is to not buy anything except food. And pay bills obviously. Every time pay day comes around, whatever we have not spent from the last pay, we will transfer into our savings account. We aren't impulse buyers or anything and love our thrift-shopping etc, but it all adds up. And if you think about it, what else do we really need anyway? We are curious to see how much we would have left over if we didn't buy anything we saw that looked 'handy', a 'bargain' or 'that's-just-so-perfect-for-such-and-such'.

 

Who else feels inspired to let the sunshine get into your bones this Spring and make a change?!

 

{ love my lavender }