Gratitude and resolutions

Another year has come and gone, and now is the time for people to make resolutions. Here are some of mine.

I resolve to shop secondhand. I plan to buy the majority of my clothes from thrift or consignment stores. I resolve to use what I have before buying more.

I resolve to be more mindful. I want to be grateful for what I have instead of wanting more. I’m striving to do more learning and living, having experiences instead of shopping.

I resolve to cook more—not just baking (which I love) but more full meals to share with family.

And I resolve to write a book in 2018!

What are your resolutions? Post them in the comments or tweet @elliedaforge.

Photo by Caley Dimmock on Unsplash

How to recharge after the holidays

The winter holidays often leave me drained. The stress of having to clean, shop and prepare gifts, and then socialize for days and days at a time--it feels more like work than being at work!

Or maybe you've been alone for the holidays, and are craving some interaction. Here are a few ideas that may be helpful.

Practice mindfulness
Take a few minutes to sit down, take a few deep breaths, and relax. Let go of all your expectations; nothing goes exactly the way we planned, and that's okay! Let the stress of the holidays go.

Call an old friend
Is there someone you haven't seen for awhile and you find yourself saying, "I should call so-and-so?" Do it now and catch up.

Volunteer
If you don't have any family to visit and are feeling lonely, try volunteering. Food banks and animal shelters need volunteers year-round, too. Call up local senior centers and ask if they need volunteers; it can make a huge difference to someone.

Journal
If you've just been through a lot, write down your experiences so you can process it all later. It can help you remember good times (or remind you later of what to avoid).

Take a break.
If you have children, ask if loved ones can babysit to give yourself a few hours to relax. Or block off some "me time" where nothing is scheduled. Send visitors out to eat or to an activity if you need space. Or visit a cafe by yourself for some quiet time.

Do an activity you love
For me, that's seeing a movie or reading a book.

Avoid malls and department stores
In the week after Christmas, there will be long lines of people making returns or spending gift cards. If you're already overwhelmed by the holidays, skip the stress and wait until the crowds calm down.

Photo by Matus Hatala on Unsplash

The best apps for minimalists

All of the apps on this list were available for iPhone and free at the time of writing.

Google Keep

I use Google Keep just about every day to take notes, store links, and jot down ideas. It’s a great way to stay organized quickly. I can use it on my phone, and it synchs to my computer for easy transfer of writing ideas.

Recyclenation

You can use this app to locate recycling centers near you. A lot of items (light bulbs, plastic bags, batteries, electronics) can be recycled if you find a place that accepts them. It’s friendly for the environment (and your home, by helping you declutter). It’s a great way to keep stuff out of landfills.

KonMari

This app is a companion to Marie Kondo’s book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. It includes checklists to help you declutter by category, and users can post or look at before/after photos for inspiration. 

Decluttr

This app is great if you need to declutter books, CDS, DVDs, etc. You can use your phone’s camera to scan an item’s barcode and instantly find out its value. If you want to send stuff for payment, box it up and print out a shipping label.

Photo by Tony Lam Hoang on Unsplash

Clutter-Free Holidays

The holidays don't have to create a lot of waste and clutter. There are easy ways to keep the amount of wrapping paper and junk down this season.

You can use newspaper (especially the comics section) to wrap presents. If you're not a subscriber, many stores have free regional newspapers outside their doors. Save and re-use gift bags--store them with decorations so you can find them next year. Or choose simple gift bags that can be used on any occasion.

Give cash, ebooks, or e-mailed gift cards instead of plastic gift cards whenever possible. I know I tend to lose gift cards, and have a few in my wallet with $2 or less balance at any given time. Or give an "experience," such as a gift certificate to a restaurant, concert, or other activity.

Skip candles and clothes as gifts—or give a gift receipt with them—as many go unused. 

For decorations, stick with items that are minimal and reusable. Stockings are an easy decoration that can be used year after year. If you send out cards, choose simple ones that are easy to recycle—no plastic or glitter.

And if you do receive gifts you don’t want, thank the giver-and then quietly return the gift, or give it away (either to a thrift shop, or a friend).

Any other ideas? Leave them in the comments. 

Photo by rawpixel.com on Unsplash

How to declutter books

Photo by Aleksi Tappura on Unsplash

If you’re decluttering your home by the guidelines of The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, you’ll have to tackle books. But what do you do with books you don’t want to keep?

Most of us have old textbooks gathering dust on a shelf, or books we probably won't read again. The good news is, you don't have to recycle them just yet.

Websites like Bookscouter and Decluttr let you check the value of your books, and offer cash for ones that are still in demand. Decluttr also an app you can use to scan barcodes and instantly check the value--no typing in long ISBNs!

Many libraries accept donations for book sales. Hospitals often accept books, especially children's books, large print books, or magazines; check what they need before dropping any off.

Did you know that you can donate books to prisoners? Educational materials are especially in demand. Bookriot has a guide for what they're looking for, and how to donate.

And of course, your local charity shop will most likely accept books in good condition. So knock that dust off and get sorting!