At the end of the month, I want to be honest with you in an update about how my goals to live more simply have been going. Success or fail, this is really how February turned out…
I can see why so many New Year’s resolutions and goals are abandoned by February. The fact is, once the January motivation meets the reality of February, the emotional high has ebbed and now we’re just down to nitty-gritty hard work.
This month has been a tough one for the goals I set for my Year of Simple. I had a few successes, namely sticking to my grocery budget and decluttering some things. And I had some fails, like going out to lunch without even thinking and working way too many hours.
But while this is disheartening, it’s also been somewhat encouraging. Things that matter shouldn’t be too easy. Not that everything has to be hard, but I think struggling for something you want makes you value it more, and it also gives you a chance to grow as a person. I like growth, thus, I like that this hasn’t been a cake walk.
So here is my February update on the goals I succeeded at or struggled with, and my game plan to work through them next month.
UPDATE: My Year of Simple – February
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No Spend Year
My February update on spending sort of cancelled itself out. I did one thing well and another, well, less-well:
- Keeping to my grocery budget of $600 – I did keep to my budget this month as I had hoped, so I take that as a big win. Grocery stores are my kryptonite.
- I went out to lunch – This was a habit in action. My friend and I have always socialized over meals, whether it’s take-out in a park or lunch in a restaurant. So when she invited me out, I said yes. It wasn’t until we were there that I remembered that this was a year of no spending on dining out. Next month, I plan to make us a homemade picnic for the park.
Simplifying the Clutter
Clutter is still a struggle, but because of the warming weather and very real scorpion threat every summer here, we’ve been decluttering so we can spot any interlopers more easily:
- I gave away 75 items – I’m still a long way off from my goal of 2,021 things, but this is a start. Plus, I’ve been giving myself small tasks each day to work on so even on busy days, something gets done.
- I passed some of my clothes down to my daughter – I can’t believe she’s old enough to wear some of my shirts, but she is. So instead of buying new clothes, I let her shop in my closet since there are things there I hardly wear anymore. It was a win-win for both of us. (Since they stayed in the house, I didn’t count this toward my 2,021 things.)
Less Micromanaging
There was a lot of micromanaging this month. I’m trying something different next month though, and will let you know how it goes in my next update:
- I spent a lot of time reminding my kids of their tasks – I have to follow my own advice and remind the kids only once and then be consistent with the consequences. Parenting is not easy.
- I’ve still been yelling way too much – I have to spend more time working with my children, rather than against them. Nagging doesn’t work, but listening does. Working alongside them also does.
Living a Life of Less Hurry
Well, this wasn’t my month. I pushed myself to exhaustion trying to keep up with school, work, doctors and therapies for the kids, and everything else. It’s really not sustainable, so I’m looking at some changes.
- Working late – I did set aside certain days for certain tasks to make me more efficient, but I also landed up with more on my plate in February. Next month, I am going to start turning things down or giving them up. This needs to get better.
- Filling my days – This isn’t really my fault, it’s just the season for our family and the needs of the kids. But I need more margin for rest, even a cat nap. In March, I want to create clearer boundaries on my time.
- Lounger pajama Sundays- This is still going strong and a necessary reprieve after a hard week. February was rough, but having a rest-filled day helps.
- Enjoying the moment- I need to slow down my thinking and stay in the moment. I’m always mentally preparing for the next thing – sometimes completely missing what’s happening in front of me. This is planning to an unhealthy extreme.
You can see from this February update that my Year of Simple isn’t going smoothly. I’m like a confused GPS, constantly recalculating.
I’d love to write these blog posts from the perspective of someone who has it all figured out. Who knows the answers and is living a life that is simple and intentional and full of wisdom to share.
But I’m still in the desert. Praying, planning, working toward the place where I want to be, where I believe I’m meant to be. I hope that my journey, marked with ups and downs, can still inspire your own.
On to March…
How are your 2021 goals going? Have they become harder as we proceed into the year? 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:
How to Find Your Peak Productivity Time
How to Clean Out Your Junk Drawer Once and For All
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