In four months, we are going to welcome the new year. In order to prepare for the year to come, I am evaluating things that I have done from the past few months. During these months, I have indulged in some bad habits, purchased things I shouldn't have, made bad connections, even financial decisions. Additionally, some of my goals are accomplished, but some are still a progress. In order to align my life and my surroundings to a simpler life and my personal goals, I am taking measures to declutter before 2022.
I don’t really have any specific game plan on what to declutter but I keep them to three types, the digital, non-digital things, and impulsive shopping purchase.
The Digital Clutter
Since I don’t really hoard papers anymore, digital clutter is a thing. There are plenty of emails, folders, and pictures that are disorganized. I also have drafts that I have to delete. These things are better on trash than ever to see any light.
When it comes to social media usage, recently my usage was at an unhealthy level. I spent so much time in front of the screen, oftentimes without taking any mini breaks. I certainly do pomodoro but there are times when I just have to finish things on the go. So, in the following months before 2022, I want to create a habit which is to be more intentional with my social media use.
If you’re on the same journey as I do, I recommend reading a book from Cal Newport that discusses this topic. In his book titled Digital Minimalism : Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, you’d find some practical ideas and steps in order to reclaim your life from the chain of technology. That being said, it does not mean technology is bad but rather use it intentionally.
Newport book was the book that inspired me to be more intentional and mindful about my technology use. Certainly, I am not perfect but I strive to be better each year when it comes to my technology use. It also inspires me to have a better organization with my digital files and things.
The Non-Digital Things
The physical items that I have have been a headache this year. When I moved back to my home last December, I started buying plenty of things. Though it was needed, some of them were bought based on my impulsivity rather than necessity. Now that I am moving back to my apartment, I have to bid goodbye to those things, the things that I purchased and forgot about. So that sort of reminds me how I have not been mindful about things.
Now, at my apartment, I want to free up some space, especially with the clothes and cutlery that I overbought the last 5 years. There are some broken furniture that need to be replaced and/ thrown away. So, I just want to make sure that there are no duplicates and just own things that are necessary.
Impulsive Shopping Habit
Rebecca Bloomwood from the Sophie Kinsella Shopaholic series, is the fiction version of myself. Bloomwood loves shopping for nice fashion and so do I. Bloomwood was also as impulsive as myself. The shopaholic was basically how I got into minimalism in the first place. Though unlike Bloomwood, I succeed in repressing my impulsive tendencies. If only I did not have too many responsibilities, this shopping habit is gonna be endless. Hence why, before 2022 I want to fix this impulsive habit and go back to a simpler and mindful shopping habit.
I am writing this,hoping that it could be an inspiration for people who are wanting to free up some space in their life. It’s also a reminder for myself that freeing things, people, connection, are great things to welcome in 2022.
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| Mac is a content creator that covers literature, books, technology, philosophy, nootropics, productivity, minimalist lifestyle, cybersecurity, and languages. Other than those, she is passionate about cooking and travel. In her free time, she enjoys learning various things. |