The challenge

Mum sent me a book written by an Aussie lady who has received blog of the year awards and has composed her blog into a book. Blowed if I can remember her name but her book is on living simply. Pretty simple stuff. Basically, cut out all the crap in your life and go back to the way life was years ago when you mended socks instead of throwing them out, sewing a button back on a shirt instead of throwing it out. Driving around and around looking for something in particular when you could modify something you already have at home. Baking from scratch. Turning lights off if they aren't needed. Not using the dishwasher unless its full.

Its all stuff we have heard of, done before, never done before, cannt be stuffed doing or whatever. But there is something about taking the reins of life back into your control and not the crazy world taking us for the ride.

There is something about having things that are made with love, made from you or a peron you know, giving gifts that are handmade instead of being bought....and buying things for the sake of buying things! I love nothing better than a good impulse buy. You know how it works. Your at the shops and you see that really gorgeous handbag, purse, boots, jeans, earings, teapot, painting, or for those with more money to burn, a new bed spread, new towels, a new computer, those super expensive clothes in that super expensive shop that is now in season. 'Awesome' you say, 'just what I need'.

But do you really need them?? Or is it 'just what I want'? This is where Im at. Buying things because I want to or because I need to. We accumulate so much crap in our lives that if you add up what you spend on things you want compared to what you need, imagine how much money you would have spent. So now, think, imagine what a little looking after what we already have could save us. Instead of buying a new shirt, buy a button that matches. Learn to knit so you can have a nice warm scarf for winter. Or a new blanket (or if your really keen, a new jumper!

Im gradually going to get my list of things I can do a little bigger, a little more technical, a little bit more fun. My challenge to myself is to do 1 simple thing a day. Not buy McDonalds for lunch cos Im out and about but wait the 30min drive home and have something already there, dont buy that coffee in town but wait til you get home. Dont go driving all over the countryside looking for that facewasher the kids teacher wants with the tag in the middle so it can be hung up, but buy a new washer and sew a tag on it. Simple Stuff.