It’s officially January 1st, 2020 and I’ve only just woken from my cheese-induced coma, barely scraping through the inevitable Chrimbo Limbo slump. Despite waking up today with a raging headache in my crumb-bedazzled pyjamas, I’m feeling incredibly excited. Because not only is it the start of a new year, it’s also the start of a new bloody decade. A decade where I’ll presumably have a decent hair cut throughout (unlike the 2010s) along with my financial independence, a roof over my head and million smartphone apps to help me tackle just about anything in the next 3650 days.
New Year Resolutions and why I’m doing LESS in 2020
I’ve never been one to stick to New Year Resolutions, however, as we enter the new roaring twenties, I can’t help but see this year as a clean slate for an exciting decade to come. Previously, I’ve set myself up for failure when my resolutions have been linked to a definite number ie “lose X amount of weight” or “make x amount of money”. In recent years, I’ve shifted my resolutions to more generalised goals such as being kinder, finding ways to turn a hobby into a profit or aiming to make daily healthy choices.
This year, I’ve decided that 2020 is going to be my year of doing LESS. Because less is more right? Unless we are talking about pizza, in which case more is definitely more. But I digress. You see, as a serial workaholic and someone who has lived their previous years in excess, by doing LESS this year I hope to create more time doing what’s really important to me. Here are 5 things I’m doing less of in 2020.
1. Less screen time
Can you believe even 2 hours of screen time each day = 14 hours a week? It seems obvious, however imagine spending 14 hours each week on learning a new skill or finally starting that side hustle project you’ve always dreamed about.
Now, for any mums reading this and rolling their eyes at the prospect of any freed up hours in a day – imma let you slide, you’re doing an amazing job and I ain’t about to tell you what to do with your time! Though for any other 20-somethings like me, with no human life depending on us, it really puts things in perspective when you compare how much time you’re already spending on your phone.
As someone who fully relies on social media for their career, I already spend 9-5 glued to my phone. So this year I’m hoping to keep my evenings social media free. Now as to whether I’m ready to give up Love Island is another question. For me that 1 hour of brain mush is the perfect way to unwind and relax before bed.
Though come 6 pm each night, I aim to keep my phone in a separate room. Out of sight, out of mind. Because let’s be honest, 1 hour of mindlessly scrolling through TikTok videos in bed doesn’t add any value to my life and quite frankly I’m too old to be on that app anyway.
2. Less saying yes
My body physically contorts when I think about saying ‘no’ to someone or something. I’m a people pleaser through and through. I hate disappointing people and I have an undiagnosed case of year-round FOMO, meaning I’ll often say yes to holidays and festivals before consulting my diary or bank account. However saying yes to almost everything these past few years has lead to major burn out, emotionally, physically and financially.
Putting other peoples needs first has meant that my health has suffered in the past. My health is my wealth and in 2020 I’m definitely making it a priority by throwing out a few noes in the mix. By saying fewer yesses, I’m hoping to open up more time for myself and taking care of my needs first.
3. Less alcohol
Ah yes, the infamous Dry January. Which never made much sense to me as an Australian as January is usually the hottest month of the year, best enjoyed with an ice-cold beer. And in the UK, it’s arguably the most depressing month of the year – we’re broke, a bit chubby and there’s really not much else to do other than head to a pub for a round or stay indoors with a bottle of red.
However, since moving to the UK I’ve noticed my alcohol consumption is at an all-time high (and let’s ignore the fact this post is littered with images of my new bar cart from Wayfair). This is largely due to the pub culture here. Also the fact hardly anyone in London drives. It’s a small but overlooked fact when compared to my home town where most people I know drove to work, therefore an after-work bevvie was rarely on the cards.
In fact, the only times I really ever drank in excess were for friends’ birthday parties, scattered throughout the year. In London it’s definitely the norm to meet a friend for an evening drink. Driving to a friends house in my pyjamas sadly ain’t an option for me. It’s always get dressed, put some slap on and catch the tube to somewhere central for a rosé. However this year I’m changing that narrative.
I want to shift my focus away from alcohol. If I’m meeting up with a friend, I’m there to catch up with them, not there to drink piss-average beer. Instead, we can grab a dirty chai and discuss equally as dirty gossip without having to touch alcohol. I know my savings account and waistline will thank me for it.
4. Less fast-fashion
We all know that fast-fashion is destroying our planet, but it’s no surprise it’s also destroying your wallet too. A few years ago I decided against buying trends. Would I really be wearing these fluorescent yellow snake print trousers in a year’s time? Obviously not *removes from cart*.
Of course, there are vintage shops which are a brilliant way to reduce clothing waste. As a teenager, I would almost exclusively wear charity shop finds. But as a curvy woman, there’s no way I’m fitting into 1980s garb that were designed by men for a waif-thin silhouette.
Instead, I’ve opted to invest in quality styles that will last me well into my thirties. If you follow me on Instagram you may have noticed I often wear that Sezane dress in about 30% of my posts. It’s a timeless piece, a simple yet sexy white wrap dress that I will wear for many years to come. Sure I may have paid £150 for it, however, when you choose quality over quantity, you’ll win in the long run.
5. Less procrastinating
The irony is that I’m currently writing this post and avoiding tackling my emails, however trust me when I say that I am hell-bent on kicking my procrastinating habits to the curb in 2020! Truth be told, writing this post was actually on my to-do list and this morning I felt inspired to write it, so I ended up eating the frog.
Yes, I ate the frog, that wasn’t an auto-correct typo. ‘Eat the frog‘ is actually time management method originating from Mark Twain, who once said to “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”
Let me explain, your “frog” is your biggest, most daunting task of the day – usually the one you are most likely to procrastinate on. However, if you eat the “frog” first, the rest of the day will be much easier, knowing you completed the hardest task first. It sounds hella odd, but this is one habit I’m excited to continue in 2020 in an effort to procrastinate less.
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I’d love to know your New Year Resolutions, what are you hoping to do less or more of in 2020? I hope you had a fabulous start to your year and I can’t wait to share the journey with you!
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