#trashfreechallenge - 5. "Tooling up"

My "tools": L-R Lunchbots stainless steel lunchbox $26.50, U Conserve bamboo spork $6.95 (both from Biome), 1L water bottle (a recycled glass cordial bottle!), Glass mason jar $2.95 from Kmart and stainless steel straw $3.00 from Biome, Stainless steel mini thermos $19.95 from Biome (by now you'll realise that Biome is my favourite shop for all things green, lol!)

Since beginning this #trashfreechallenge, I've had good and not so good trash free weeks. A busy week can make it easier to excuse extra trash and brush off extra effort to reduce further trash. When I do slip up, it's because I'm not prepared. It's a reminder to me that commitment to this lifestyle change (as scary as that sounds) is somewhat necessary. If I'm not being deliberate about making changes then they aren't going to happen by themselves. So this week, I'm getting "tooled up" to make sure I have everything I need to minimise any future slip ups.

What I got (my "tools")

- Thermos for my tea. I got this Triton thermos one from Biome but you can get them everywhere. This one is the perfect size for one big cup of tea/coffee/soup etc, especially in the mornings when I'm running late. (Breakfast while commuting to work anyone?)

- Mason jar for my smoothies. These are everywhere at the moment. I got this one for $2 from Kmart! Great for a smoothie on the go or you can swap lids for a cute little salad jar. 

- A reusable straw for my mason jar. I bought a stainless steel one from Biome but you can also get glass straws or silicone straws (if you're worried about your teeth). So cool!

- A reusable coffee cup (for those days when I buy a coffee from the cafe next door) I'm yet to invest in one of these but I like these ones (especially the limited edition collection). They're Australian made (in Melbourne!) and are lightweight, unbreakable and recyclable at the end of the life of the cup. 

- Stainless steel Lunchbox (mine is a Lunchbots lunchbox) and a reusable fork (I bought this bamboo one by U conserve because it's lightweight, but you could just keep a regular set of cutlery in your bag or go all out and invest in a titanium spork (I've had my eye on this one for a while now)

Do you have any awesome "tools" that keep you on track? I'd love to hear!

x

#trashfreechallenge - 4. Friends and frenemies

A rainy day today that, by the end of the day, matched my mood. 

Sometimes meeting new people, making new friends can be hard and being resilient when you own a thin skin can be tough. People seem intent on remaining in their own bubble, unwilling to talk, connect, or go out of their way to help others unless it benefits them. And despite the fact that you're a fully grown, fully functioning adult, you begin to feel like a kid on the first day of school... or an "Art Freak" sitting with the "Mean Girls".

Today, my #trashfreechallenge is about decluttering your friendships, relationships and social circle. 

The 5 people of influence - the people you spend the most time with, reflect your attitude and even your financial status. So who are you spending your time with? And who do you aspire to be like (in your career, relationships, attitude, etc) That friend who brings you down rather than uplifts you - It doesn't mean you have to stop seeing him/her. But it may benefit you to spend less time together. Choose your friends wisely. 

Facebook and other social media is a great way to connect and keep in touch with friends and acquaintances. But there are always those few people whos picture perfect facebook lives leave you feeling like you're struggling in life more than ever? Or have you friended the acquaintance who mistakes their status update for a therapy session? (Yes, we've all been there) You don't have to unfriend them, but you can unfollow them. While it won't affect them, it may be healthier for you in the long run. 

Random strangers and nameless faces - the people we interact with everyday but don't connect with (or even know their names!) I came across this article yesterday I'd Rather One Good Friend Than 100 Sh*tty Ones Yes, it's true that your friendship group should represent quality over quantity. I pride myself on the amazing handful of true friends I'm lucky enough to have… But who says you can't make some very worthwhile connections and possibly make someone feel a little bit more significant along the way? I feel like it's all too easy to forget the power you have, the influence you have on other peoples happiness. Let's try to use it for good, not evil :) 

My challenge for the week: Connect with one stranger each day this week. 

The woman who serves you coffee each morning, the elderly lady on the bus who keeps trying to chat with everyone, the bus driver... Have a short conversation with someone (heck, have a long conversation with someone!), give a meaningful "Thank you" with a smile and eye contact, or just be more aware of the people around you. It takes very little to brighten someones day.  

What do you think? Will you try it! (As always, I'd love to hear how you go)

x

#trashfreechallenge - 3. declutter

this beautiful image via here

The night after our big day at the Suitcase Rummage, I sat looking at our photographs of the day. At the sea of people, with our lovely clothes, our shiny nicknacks, trinkets and treasures sprawled across the ground, ready to sell... and I realised, "trash" can come in all shapes and forms.
We can be buried by our overconsumption of "stuff" and it's hard to know where to begin to tackle this.
So, today's #trashfreechallenge is Minimalist living, at home. The baby steps to working towards a minimalist home.

...To me, minimalism means living in simplicity. The idea that you can pick up and travel anywhere with a few quality possessions, like a modern day gypsy, is very appealing to me (especially when you've moved homes as many times in the last few years as I have!) The convenience of our many modern day essentials becomes a burden and eventually it becomes easier to live without them. Minimalism may come from many places - from the desire to have less responsibility and therefore less burden, by necessity as a frequent traveller or other reason, or as a conscious decision to move past a particular point in life. While it's not for everyone, I feel like it's a good time in my #trashfreechallenge to tackle what remains of my clutter and become a little closer to minimalism.
Here's what I did...

My five simple steps to minimalism (in the home)

1. One set of everything - bedding and linens, towels, cutlery, crockery. Think quality, not quantity. 

2. Trinkets and treasures and stuff - is it sentimental, a gift or a memento? If so, find a place for it (I love this typeset box idea for displaying trinkets). If not, re-home it.

3. Let it grow - Rather than have hundreds of pot plants, transplant your pots into your garden. You might have to leave them behind when you move but you'll leave something more beautiful than when you arrived.

4. Important clutter (files, documents, etc) Start with hardcopies and if you're really feeling ambitions, tackle the computer files etc. (Here's a good little guide by the lovely Pippa)

5. Clothing - What have you worn in the last 6 months. Take everything else out of your closet and re-home it. Or it you can't bear to do that, put it in a box. If you look for it to wear it in the next 6 months, keep it. If not, re-home it all.   

And when I'm finding it too hard to decide whether to keep or re-home something, I just ask myself this question: What would you save in a fire/flood/other natural disaster, if you could only take what you could carry?

So, that should be a good start to tackling the clutter. It's tough but if feels so good to let go of it all and have only those things that really serve you and things that really mean something to you.
Do you think you'll try it? (Let me know if you find any areas of particular clutter that we can tackle together)

x

*re-home: to re-gift, donate, sell, swap, etc.

Out with the old, in with the... old!

Before my recent travels abroad, I was living in a very comfortable nest of clutter. After travelling for several weeks with just one carry on suitcase, I realised how much of the "stuff" I'd left behind that I didn't need. Since then, I've been steadily working on reducing the "things" in my life and working towards living minimally, with just the bare necessities... And so far, it feels pretty good!

This weekend, my friend Pippa (from The Active Attic) and I plunged headfirst into our wardrobes for a serious de-clutter and headed to the Suitcase Rummage Markets to sell some of our stuff (and buy a few new things too) It's a big

           

 

The Rummage is a great way to refresh your wardrobe and recycle, while making a little extra cash (Bonus!) Your bulging wardrobe will thank you and you just may be lucky enough meet some pretty cool people like we did!


Do you have something like this in your home town? I'd love to hear about it!

PS: The last time we were at the Rummage (blast from the past!)

x

Reflections and resolutions - Where are you going in 2015?

A new year and a new set of goals, a clean slate, a fresh start (I love New Years!)

At the beginning of the year, I like to take the chance to reflect on where I'm at and where I'm going, to make sure I'm on track. Starting with these 5 questions...

1. Where are you right now?
Work, health and fitness, finances, relationships, home life, etc. The good, the bad and the ugly. You can't know where you're going if you don't know where you're starting from.

2. Where would you like to be this time next year?
Where would you like to be instead of where you're at? Or another way to look at it is, if you could be finishing this year differently, what would that look like? Write it down. This will help to work out what you need to work towards.

And then stretch it out...

3. Where would you like to be in 5 years? Age, martial status, job, lifestyle, health, finances and savings, travel, etc.

4. In 10 years?

And finally, break it right down.

5. What's your idea of a perfect day?
Early breakfast date with the girls? A yoga class? Shopping all day? Spending the day with your family? Working on your pet project? Volunteering? All of these things? Whatever it is, it's your day.

Write it down, get specific, see the details, create a collage - whatever helps you visualise best.
It helps to work towards a goal that is crystal clear, so you know exactly what you're aiming for.

... Whew! So, what do you think? Would you try it? I'd love to hear how you go!

PS: Check out Keith Abraham, Passionate People 

Some great activities and tools to help you find and reach your goals.  

x