I started writing about A year of less inspired by a blog by Cait Flanders, who went on to write a book by the same name. I wrote the first post about it here and the magic of tidying too.

I’ll be posting about it throughout the year to keep track of where I’m at, things I’m learning, general accountability.

I was having a conversation with Husband as we walked out of TKMaxx after buying a the toiletries stand. They have wonderful designer clothes that are lower in price than on the high street and are of good quality. I sometimes buy soft bamboo socks there. However, being pregnant and not fitting into small regular size clothes has given me some detatchment.

I could buy a woollen fitted dress but why, to fit in it in 6 months time? It seems pointless. We left the shop and I commented that I think I had enough clothes built up from last year to wear them all of this year. That I could just repair or replace as needed and buy if it sparked joy and would wear it often. Husband agreed and said he would do the same.

This year we are limited on space, especially in the wardrobe even after getting rid of 5 bags of clothes between us. We will see how we get on in that one!

Another finding is that through tidying up and moving I found things I was going to buy, items that I had little faith I would come across! Organza bags for Malas I’m selling, glue gun sticks to continue a long standing project, boxes for shoe storage and hair tyes for my hospital bag. I was going to BUY all of those things and they were right there!

I went shopping with a friend, determined to stick to the shopping list I have, I used to spend a lot with this friend buying trinkets, scarfs, clothes as we leisurely shopped. This time I got what I needed and it was on sale, I stocked up on food for the day and my favourite tea bags I see in shops once a year. Two items I kept mentioning were raspberries and a rug for my new creative space, to protect the tiled floor. I bought a smoothie and a day later after scanning websites for rugs ranging £15-£120 I decided to take the fuscia pink rug I got from IKEA 6 months earlier.

When you move, people talk about just ‘losing’ items in the travelling, I did too casually but I didn’t want to fall into that trap.

Two maternity leggings both from H & M, one warm and feel incredible on were missing. We looked and I thought to wait a week to see if found and for money to come in. A part of me panicked that I only had two grey pairs with me and my stomach was growing so they may not fit anymore. I waited, called my mum who found them and kindly agreed to send them in the post!

This would not of happened before. I would have moved money around, gone to H&M’s website and ordered more, probably in a Medium and Large too.

That is the power of mini shifts.

At the end of January before writing out my monthly outgoings, I checked on a payment I was never quiet sure what it was. A £20 payment each month from my home town. I thought it was from a cash point in town, then I realised it was a direct debit. For over a year and a half. After some digging it was a gym membership I got that I never used, I called them cancelled it on their system and deleted the direct debit. While I’m gutted that I spent £150+ on something I never used, I now have £20 a month back and it’s made me more aware!

Always check, trust that instinct and follow up sooner rather than later!

Wait and see. It may be lost then found. Think outside the box, with the rug I thought my family wanted it, even though I paid for it. They were happy with me taking it as planning to carpet my old room in a few months.

Write items down and see what comes!