I tried and failed to have a no spend year in 2022 as my why wasn’t big enough.

I am writing this on 31st December 2022 and fully committed to seeing my project through.

Well when I say project, it is more than a project, it is a burning desire to change the way I live my life.

I’m not forcing any of my family to do this with me, I would love it if some of the learning rubs off on them. But it isn’t something I need anyone else to change. It is a change I want for myself.

I sat down a week ago on Christmas Day, sick with pneumonia and surrounded by floor-to-celing presents (mainly for our kids). A wave of sadness hit me. Sadness combined with frustration and anger that my life was stuffed full of THINGS. Things I don’t feel I need or want to contribute to my family.

Society, marketing and social media try to persuade us that we need to have it all. The more I have, the more stressed I get and less I enjoy my day-to-day life.

My adhd and my depression are worse because of the stuff I surround myself with.

Enough.

I don’t need anything new. I don’t want to contribute to the relentless consumerism train.

I just know my life is going to richer by making do, mending and living a simpler life.