Preparation
Today is December 29th, 2016. Beginning January 1, 2017, I will take on a 31-day challenge to spend only the bare minimum necessary to survive.
While this challenge sounds... well, challenging, I'm actually very excited. I've been feeling stuck lately in a rut of exhaustion and overdependence on things I don't want to need.
You know the cycle:
- Wake up too late because I was watching Netflix until 1AM, or because I was out having fun.
- Drink coffee.
- Feel like crap from exhaustion. Get my butt to yoga, if I'm not too behind on my work.
- Try to get my off-hours work done.. and often fail from exhaustion.
- Teach students from 2-7pm (the happy part, though some days still tiring.)
- Realizing I'm hungry, too tired to cook, and dying for some human contact, go out for dinner and a couple drinks with friends. Sometimes this turns into a late Netflix night; other times it turns into more than a couple drinks.
- Rinse and repeat 6-7days a week, since I'm working overtime to pay my bills.
- Occasionally get to bed early for a 1-3 day streak, with no difference in health.
I'm so over it. I've been sick with the flu for over a month, and I don't know where to begin. Supplements, water, and early bedtimes haven't helped because I'm working too many days.
But why work so much? Well, this was my first year of business. Since everyone told me the first year is all about survival, I took that programming very seriously and worked myself to the bone. That was dumb.
I don't need to do it this way. I currently have a couple weeks off, and I'm using the time to lie in bed and re-configure my priorities.
Here's the plan to get my peace back (and my health.)
- I've changed my schedule so that I will only work five days a week after the holidays.
- The cost of eating and drinking out is draining my budget, keeping the overwork cycle alive. I'll be staying in, and using what I have.
- For me, the answer is minimalism. Need less. Be happy with what I've got. Take some time to take stock of things. Take up hobbies instead of dependencies. Pick up the telephone and revive old relationships. Write letters. Take walks. Go to the library. Learn to cook. Sleep better.
- Deal with my feelings. For me, this means writing and doing yoga daily.
- Focusing on relationships with myself and others, instead of consumption.
This challenge was inspired by the book 31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero. They provide 31 days of challenges, each of which takes between 15 and 60 minutes. Since I'll be staying in more, I will try and keep my activities to a minimum and do these instead.
Commitment is key. It's not going to be easy, and there will be days of loneliness, boredom, and cravings. But I'm going to finish, dammit.
To prepare, I'm considering what basics I absolutely do not want to run out of, and stocking up on those. But it shouldn't be much.
I will be allowed to make pit stops for perishable groceries; pay for urgent survival needs such as medicine if I'm sick; and pay for ongoing commitments such as rent, utilities and fuel. Tomorrow (12/31) I will go shopping for a handful of things I had been planning to purchase: a niece's birthday gift; enough booze to accompany dinners so I can't cry too much about not going out; and a few staples I don't want to run out of like TP, broth, protein for the freezer, and lentils.
Day 1 will be 1/1/17.
The challenge of day 1 is to plan my contract with myself, clarify the terms of the challenge, and sign an agreement. I've already done this, but I'm editing it and will re-post on New Year's Day.
I've attached photos of the printouts, in case you want to join. Are you joining? Do tell! Think of the money, health, and peace of mind being salvaged.... Good luck!
