Trying To Get My Groove Back

It's been tough.  I have not had the desire to write.  Then when I do have inspiration, I'm at work with no time to stop and jot down my thoughts.  I haven't been reading much either.  I have six books I have yet to finish.  I'm not exercising, cleaning, organizing, and I have reminders on my phone to make sure I do these darn things.   I need to get it together.

This time last year I was trying the Ruth Soukup challenges from her books.  I failed miserably.  One day is not enough time for my clutter.  I did however donate ten boxes to Salvation Army in July and will be donating another six this week.  My plan is to donate one more time by the end of the year.

I've made an End of the Year Plan... Yay! Okay, not really.  If I would have done what I said I was going to last year, I would be buying a house and 100% organized right now.   So this is me declaring my life a mess and it needs cleaning up... again.  My dream/Goal is to become a minimalist.  I have been watching videos on Youtube.  Now, I don't want to get rid of everything I have.  I want to reduce what I have to the important things and stop buying crap I don't need.  I will never give up on my books, NEVER.  So don't dare ask me to do that.  I also need to get my health in order.  I have gained a lot of weight recently and all my pants are pretty snug.  I also look gross when I'm sitting.  While I was thinking about ways to improve my life, I realized I spend most of my off time eating and playing Facebook games. YES, I said it, I play Facebook games.  I started to make a list of things I want to work on.  So this is where I'll start, then reevaluate in 30 days.

1. Make a Budget
2. Organize home and digital files
3. Donate to Salvation Army 
4. Reduce Social media & games
5. Read more (15 books by January 1)
6. Exercise (start at 3x a week)
7. Bring lunch to work. 

My Spending Habits Suck.

Unknown Source :(

I had a financial goal for 2017 and I've already put myself behind.  So here I am reminding myself that I need to buy only what I need.  As I look at the new bikini and socks I bought today.  I did need a new bathing suit and socks for work.  Still, I bought a scarf and junk food for my kids.  We didn't need those. I recently spent money on fans for the house.  After I bought them I felt regret, but I'm hoping they will save me money in the long run. Fans are better than air conditioners, right?

I've been reading Ruth Soukup's book Living Well Spending Less. I also bought her other books, 31 Days of Living well & Spending Zero, and 31 Days to a Clutter Free Life.  I bought them last year and read them all.  Taking notes and planning my own financial overhaul.  I hit a road block when work became hectic with long hours.  I let it all fall to pieces.  I am going to give it a go again.  I'm sure the reader is supposed to do each challenge one at a time, but I'm going all in and challenging myself. I'm cracking the whip and putting my finances, spending, and organization in check.  I have 3 goals with this challenge.

1. Meal Prepping - Going to wing it this week, hopefully I can find good recipes to use. 
2. Buy necessities ONLY.  I keep buying things that I don't need right this minute.  Including junk food at work. 
3. Remove the clutter and reorganize.  What's that phrase?  "Messy house, messy mind" or something like that.  

Now that work isn't needing me 12+ hours a day I can focus on myself and what is needed at home.  Tomorrow is my day off and I will start with my meal prep and organize my fridge.  I also need to clean out my closet and storage closet.  In order to get the rest of my apartment organized the storage closet has to be ready for the items worth keeping.  I can't remember the last time I actually looked in the closet.  Maybe I should be afraid haha.  No, I'm so ready for this change in my life.