It’s the end of 2021 and I want to be honest with you in an update about how my goals to live more simply have gone. Success or fail, this is my End of the Year update…
We’re pretty much at the end of 2021 (and I take a vacation in December for the holidays!), so I thought I would share a wrap up of my goals to live a more simple year. These goals included:
- No spending except in specific categories with budgets
- Decluttering 2,021 possessions
- Less yelling and micromanaging for better relationships in my family
- Living a less hurried life by creating margin, working less, and finding ways to relax and enjoy my time more
I’ll admit that I did not meet my goals perfectly, especially in the spending department. But I feel that I learned a lot about my habits and why I do things. I also was able to try new things that sometimes worked really well for me and my family, particularly in the micromanaging area.
So, with all that in mind, here is my End of the Year Update on the goals I succeeded at or struggled with in 2021.
UPDATE: My Year of Simple – End of the Year
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No Spend Year
My EOY update on spending includes a splurge on hobby items, not meeting my grocery goals, and why I can’t carry credit cards.
- Hobby splurge – In October when we were dealing with Covid, appendicitis, and a broken wrist, I spent quite a bit on hobby building kits, board games, and puzzles. This was not in the budget, but with kids feeling sick, in pain, and healthy ones quarantined at home, it felt necessary for our mental health. I don’t regret these expenses because frugality over the year left me with the budget margin to spend in this way.
- My $600 grocery goal that never was – I had the hardest time meeting this goal. I don’t think it’s impossible to keep the grocery expenses to $600 a month for a family of 7, but I treat grocery stores like some people feel at outlet malls. Way too excited. I am currently inventorying our freezer and pantry to see how we can eat what we have to lower our food spending this winter.
- Put away the credit cards – In the beginning of the year, I had put away all my credit cards, deleted their numbers from online accounts, and stopped autopays to avoid unintentional expenses on extras. But during the fall, I pulled them out for an emergency, then found myself falling into the old habits of buying without consideration of how this adds up. They are going back into their hiding place, especially with the holidays here. Cash is best in almost every circumstance.
Simplifying the Clutter
I wanted very much to meet my decluttering goals on 2,021 things by the end of the year – and I did! Also, we spent time organizing, repurposing, and cleaning up our home.
- We decluttered 2,050 items by Thanksgiving – I did not want to miss this goal, so over the course of October and November, I went through my kids’ playroom, my classroom, and our clothes closets. I actually may have exceeded this number, but quit keeping track once I met the goal. I love having less stuff, and hope I can continue in this vein into 2022.
- Organizing the house – Organizing can be tricky because it makes us think we need to get organizing tools and containers. If I get that feeling, I usually know I need to declutter a little more first. Putting my classroom, bedrooms, and play areas into better shape helped me to see what I have too much of, where I tend to hoard (school supplies!), and how easy it is to accumulate stuff. More organization has helped me to see what I have, so I only buy what I need.
- My books – I read over 200 books this year, but I don’t think I really helped my TBR pile get much smaller. What I did do was give myself permission to get rid of books that I have been waiting to be read so long that I am no longer really interested in them. Also to DNF some. This freedom may seem natural to some, but to me, once I commit to reading it, I Will. Read. That. Book. This is a drain on my time, space, and mental energy, so I am trying to pull away from it now.
Less Micromanaging
I have always been a micromanager, and it creates stress for me and for my family. Allowing my husband and children to do things in their own way, in their own time, has made us all a little happier.
- Yelling – This used to be my go-to. But by the end of the year, I had gotten myself to the point where this only flared up when I was really frustrated with something. Now I try to speak calmly and kindly (what a friend calls my “call center voice”) and express myself with words instead of volume. (I feel I should have learned this in kindergarten, but better late than never.)
- The kids are more independent – I have given my kids a lot more independence when it comes to their schoolwork, meals, and basic schedules. My laying out consequences for not doing their work and letting them feel the disappointment when they’re late to something has helped them to become a lot more adept at getting out on time. Much more than when I was a foghorn pushing them along. They cook, clean, and do other chores with less motivation from me, though this still needs work.
- Accepting that we are all individuals – This seems obvious. And it probably is for some. But it took me a long time to see that my kids are not just different from me, but different from each other. A lot different! But I am learning to embrace the differences, even as they challenge me (especially in homeschooling). This goes for my husband, too. He is who he is, and I wouldn’t have married him otherwise. So why try to change him?
Living a Life of Less Hurry
This End of the Year update includes taking more time to walk. Focusing on the present moment. And remembering that trust in God leads to less worry.
- Walking – I have always loved walking. Must be the New Yorker in me. But I’m talking about walking slowly, enjoying the views and saying hi to people. Letting my mind wander and letting go of the stresses I accumulate. This is a practice I am trying to increase, and also get my kids into more now that baseball is not dominating our schedules.
- Focusing on the now – I live in my head a lot. Thinking, worrying, obsessing. But stopping my thoughts and focusing on what’s in front of me has been a practice that has really helped. What’s going on isn’t going to change with my thoughts, but how I react will. Putting things aside to enjoy the present has really made me a more content and less-stressed person.
- Trusting God instead of myself – Self-reliance isn’t a bad thing. Until it is. Sometimes I get so wrapped up in getting things done, being prepared, and planning for everything, that I worry myself into a tizzy. So I am working on stopping the endless striving to be ready for everything, know everything, and be two steps ahead of everything. And I am working to trust that God will not let me fall if I let go and rest.
The end of the year…
This year has been interesting. I have definitely learned more about myself and the things that work for me. And the things that trip me up time and again. But as I write this end of the year update, I am reminded of all the things that succeeded and how I was able to change for the better. It may not have been perfect, but my Year of Simple was a success in my book. Thank you for letting me share it with you and helping me stay accountable.
How did your 2021 goals go? As we close out the year, what did you learn about yourself? Let me know your thoughts in the comments or on social media! #thejourneyathome
Interested in more posts on goals and simple living? Check out some of these:
10 Things to do Before You Start Homeschooling
Inspirational Monday: Do You Trust God to Provide for You?
How to Declutter Your Children’s Closets
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Good job!
Thanks 🙂 It was definitely an experience!