My Minimal Hoarding Life - 2018 January Check In

Wow! A month already gone but that is life, we have to make what we of time because before you know it, time had slipped passed us. Don`t put off what we can do today till tomorrow.

I make four resolutions, or goals, to accomplish each year. Some years I make it with all of them, some years I do not. Usually two are easier and two are harder.

I have began to pick a word, or words, that I try to also apply to my life for the year. This year I chose the words "No Regrets" because I do not want to regret a single thing I go for this year, whether I make it all the way or I fail, I will learn either way and make myself better.

What are my resolutions? 

1- Stop buying - Grow more

Grow more food :

You maybe thinking how in the world can she grow food in the Winter?

Well.....

I can sow seed inside for an early garden and that is what I have done, I have tomato plants and bell pepper plants, I have cabbage babies and I am waiting for the eggplants to sprout. 

Stop Buying : 

When I say "stop buying" that does not mean just for stockpiling canned goods and the such but also to shopping to "Get something" and I did walk away from shopping for January. 

 Another plus, I only bought newspapers once this whole month for the coupon inserts, saving me $32 (yes Sunday newspapers we up) And that one time I did purchase them I only bought half of what I would usually buy.

I bought no clothes at all.

I feel this resolution was a 100% accomplishment. 

2 - Clear land - Set up rentals

This resolution is one of the harder ones, I am trying to ... hmmm... make myself get out of the habit of thinking I have to do everything myself and hire people to do all the work.

I have not began on this resolution yet.

100% failure.

3 - Clean, declutter and organize

Since it is January and since it has been cold more than its been normal and warm, I have worked inside more than not.

I usually start with the closets and get rid of more stuff that was bought in the past years but this time I looked around and found what was the worst, what I had let go the longest and was in deep dread to do and I started that.

The Kitchen :

I have been dreading cleaning the upper cabinets, why? Those are the hardest for me to do. I have to climb to get those done but I took an evening and I cleaned them with grease lightening.

I have put off finishing the painting of the kitchen, I had half done from years (yes years) ago. This was also harder for me because of my neck pain, I do not talk about it much but I do have a bad neck and upper back. After painting I will hurt but I refuse to allow this to stop me from being clean in the house and keeping it nice. 

I took a week and I got most of the one long wall painted, Trim too!

BUT I still have one small wall left to paint but I have to find someone to help me move the china cabinet away from that wall and then back after I get it painted with two coats of paint.

The Pantry :

While it was for the most part organized some things had made its way into that room that did not belong there so that was put into its place. I also went through every store bought item and made sure it was still in date, what was not went out. I also went through my home canned jars of food and what I felt was past its safe to eat date went out also.

This resolution is a 100% accomplishment.

4 - Take a vacation

Now I am sure this one will be a fail each month till I actually take the vacation and by vacation I do mean a week off and not at home.

But I can take days off or weekends and have mini vacations. 

I have thought about where I would like to go, I have several places in mind but I have not planned any vacations. 

So another 100% fail.

There are my resolutions and how I have worked to make what I want better in my life.

How did you do the first month of 2018?

For more about this months cleaning and work check out :

January 1 - 2018 

January 7 -2018 

January 15 -2018

January 21-2018

January 27 -2018

By Andria Perry

Photos By Andria Perry 

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