Happy New Year ❄️
No snow in Ukraine this year, but there’s plenty in my dreams.
I hope your holidays and vacation were as joyful and refreshing as mine. 🥂
This Week: December 21st to January 3rd
Accepting Year without shopping challenge
At the start of the war, my routine fell apart, and I turned to excessive shopping to cope and support my family. About 40% of my spending went to donations, with the rest on shopping. It was an easy and effective way to manage stress.
Over time, I adjusted, but the shopping habit stayed. This year, I want to focus on donations, saving, emotional well-being, and buying only what’s necessary.
That’s why I’ve decided to try an experiment: a year without shopping.
(This idea had been growing in me for a while, and reading The Year of Less by Cait Flanders helped me create rules and plans to make the experiment successful.)
So, during my vacation, I:
- Create the list of what I can buy (stuff like skincare products etc.);
- Write down how can I spend my money;
- Focus on savings, donations and emotions (like trying new hobbies, visiting new cities, etc.);
- Buy necessary stuff only after it finishes;
- Buy new books only after reading what I have (plus, focus on bookcrossing, re-selling)
Twisting my balance page and footer
This week, I restructured a little bit my blog footer, how do you like it?
Also, I experimented with my Balance page:
- Added posts using the Listing Grid feature.
- Included filters to let visitors choose a category.
- Added two Goodreads widgets.
Work
I had only two working days this week, but planning my tasks in advance turned out to be an excellent strategy to avoid frustration.
I completed the monthly reporting and prepared my questions for next week’s team calls.
Emotional state
I’m still getting used to myself. 😀 Last year, I realized that I’m not as active as most of my friends and family.
I’m still learning to accept this and to say “no” when I don’t have the energy.
Leisure time
I started reading The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. I first read this book as a teenager and experienced so many emotions. Now, I’ve decided to read it again to see how it resonates with me this time.
Classic literature is timeless.
How are you doing?
How was your holiday? What are you working/reading on?
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