I’m not really sure what’s inspired me; maybe it’s knowing that baby number 2 is on the way, or maybe it’s knowing that we’re getting a new kitchen, but I just seem to want to organise everything and try lots of new things.
I’m sure all I’ll get is “you’re nesting”, but I think it’s maybe because it’s a new year and I’m so tired of being unorganised! It more or less started when I made Jamie clear out his drawer full of gym clothes, which subsequently led to me ordering him to sort out his t-shirt drawer, all of his clothes in the wardrobe, then all of his hoodies, and all his clothes in the second wardrobe! He asked if he should be ruthless, and I obviously told him yes. I did exactly the same with all of my things, shoes and bags included. It automatically felt a lot more spacious and light – I hate seeing a pile of clutter anywhere, and so I decided to continue the trend.
The airing cupboard was my next victim. Towels had been shoved in and all the camping stuff at the bottom was almost in a heap. Not anymore, it’s now much more organised and rid of the things we didn’t need. I timed it just right actually, because a man came to service the boiler and he’d have struggled to get to it. Toby’s stuff got “the sorting out” too.
So what else have I decided I’d like to do, or change, this year?
- Once the kitchen is finished, hopefully at the beginning of February, I intend to get completely organised here too. I’ve been meaning to get things on walls, and I want the cupboards nice and orderly, although I’m sure there’ll be a bi-annual clean up!
- Meal planning. I need to get my arse into gear with this. Not only will we be able to shop more effectively, we’ll both know what we’re having and be able to prep during the day, cook ahead when we have time and batch cook so we have a stockpile in the freezer if neither of us feel like cooking. I also intend on getting a chest freezer to put in the garage so we don’t take up room in our main freezer with all the batch cooking. Going to be a lifesaver when baby number two makes his appearance.
- I really really really want to try out non disposable nappies. I’ve heard so many good things about cloth nappies, or nappies you can put in your recycling. I just never got round to it with Toby, but I’m determined to give it a go this time. I’d love to be able to say we save money by doing it, but I really want to decrease our waste – our bins are always full! Following on from this, I’ll also be trying out washable breast pads, rather than the disposable ones I used last time, and I may even venture onto reusable baby wipes.
- I’d love to organise my blogging. I’ve been looking at lots of ways to do it and reading lots of posts about it. So hopefully, in the next couple of weeks I’ll have gotten into some sort of routine.
- Toiletries. They’re everywhere, in all of my bathrooms and even in my spare bedroom, yet I still buy another body wash when one runs out. I’m going to completely wear out my stock before I buy anything else – they need using up!
- Spend less time on my phone in the evening. If I’m not on the laptop, I’m on my phone. Playing silly games, or checking something. While this will be gradual, and I’ll also have to convince the other half, I’m determined to have at least one night a week where it’s “phones off” at 9.30pm, we have an early night and actually talk about things, or do something together.. like people did all those years ago!
This isn’t by any means an exhaustive list, and I’m sure there’ll be a part two! But for now, these are my focuses for 2015 and while I might have the odd distraction, or lapse, I’m determined to feel like I’ve achieved all of these.
Do you have any tips for me, or any other changes you think I could make? What are you changing in 2015?
J x
Couldn’t agree more about the phones. We have a phone box and everyone in the house puts theirs in there at certain times so that we can actually talk to each other and focus on whats important. Good luck with the nappies. I look forward to hearing how you get on. Thanks for linking up #bigfatlinky
That sounds like a good idea Al. That’ll definitely come in use as we have more children and they get older – iPads/phones and other electronics get locked away! I’m also heading towards a “strictly no phones at the table” rule for us too! We’re both as bad as each other sometimes, but that’s from not really having a dining room and eating in the living room habit. Thank you, fingers crossed I don’t have any superbly bad episodes on the nappy front!
Great list and completely achievable which I love! Meal planning is something I need to conquer! I use to be so good at it but have slipped this year! At most I only plan 3 days and really want to get on top and back to planning a whole week.
Organising my blogging is another on my list some weeks I’m amazing and focused others I lose it. I just need some consistency to it.
I love the idea of a night off of the phone. It might be gradual but it is sometimes necessary. I broke my phone and had a standard fill in one from the store. I couldn’t do more that text and call. It was so freeing but equally difficult. Made me realise how much I do on it really.
Completely achievable goals so hope you stay focused and do them. Keep us posted!
Thanks for linking up with us on the #bigfatlinky
I think they’re definitely achievable, it’s always good to set “smart” targets – no point aiming too high to begin with. My meal planning has gone to complete pot, so to speak. One week into the new year and work started on our kitchen so we were out of the house for 3 weeks and we’ve only just moved back in! I will get back on track by the end of next week, I hope. I’ve been hopeless this last week and a bit when it comes to the blog, when I’ve had the get up and go I’ve not had the time, and when I’m not really feeling a post, I’ve got a ton of time.
We’re still working on a night off the phone. I just think you forget how much time you actually spend on it, I know I do. I pick it up for no reason without even realising – it’s so bad. Thank you for your support, I’m going to aim for quarterly updates I think, and thanks for having me!