Gentle goals for January

I'm returning to setting monthly goals in 2023. I used to enjoy setting monthly mini goals and then reflecting on my progress towards the end of the month. My aim is to a) make myself more accountable b) build good habits c) try new things. Let's crack on with my short list.

1. To read at least 2 books, one fiction and one non-fiction. I've been in a reading slump of late and I'm not sure why when I love reading and have been given some interesting books recently. What better month than January to enjoy curling up on the sofa with a good book?

2. To exercise daily either by walking or training at the gym. I've been going to a gym since April last year and have been enjoying strength training, swimming and the occasional fitness class. My fitness has improved, I feel more confident and my body's more toned. However, I need to walk on my no gym days or at least stay active. 

3. Sew. I've got an embroidery kit and a some felt dog patterns both of which are adorable. 

4. Have a low buy month. We're currently shopping from our own fridge, freezer and cupboards and only buying food that we need after careful menu planning. Also, I won't be buying anything I don't need such as clothes, magazines, make-up, decorative items, plants or books. Buying from charity shops is also off limits. 

5. Make another Youtube video. I made 1 Youtube video last year which I'll link below. I'd be interested to know if this is something you'd like to see more of. 

I'll reflect on theses 5 goals towards the end of the month if not before. I'll hopefully have lots to write about as well as photos relating to each goal. 

The photo is Gwynver beach, just north of Sennen Cove. We stayed at The Hut in Gwynver last year for Tim's 60th birthday. We had fabulous views of the ocean and amazing sunsets. 

I'll leave you with last year's video which as it was filmed in January (2021) is almost current :) I'd love to hear whether you've set any goals for this month or year. 

My Word for 2019

It's been a few years since I've chosen a word for the year and I've missed this little ritual and the guidance it can bring. Slowly, the word that has come to mind for me in the first few days of 2019 is cherish. This is a positive, warm and gentle word and has connotations of wellbeing. I'm resisting the January merry-go-round of fitness and diet advice, sales shopping and goal setting and concentrating instead on cherishing what I have: my health, more clothes and possessions than I need and a bank of motivation to encourage me to follow my values and my own path. In 2019 I want to nurture relationships old and new, practise gratitude for all that I have, stop wanting more or wanting to be more and to be kind to myself. I want to cherish life and indulge a little.

Thank you for all your comments and for reading this little blog that is now coming back to life. Happy New Year friends xo

Minimalist and Simplicity Plans for 2016

So what are my minimalist and simple living plans for 2016? I've been mulling this over and here are my very loose ideas thus far:

• To enjoy life. Every day to seek and acknowledge the beauty, simplicity and power of life. 
• To work steadily on my goals and develop motivation to meet them. The time to start is now but reviewing goals regularly is important too. This year I am not settling on one word to guide me - I feel the need to explore and be multifaceted. 
• To look forward. I'm looking forward to great new food to eat, to planting more flowers and crops in our garden and to a few short breaks away from it all.
• To continue A year of Less Spending with as many no spend days as possible. Yay to list writing, sticking to a budget, stock taking, occasional stockpiling and eating down the contents of the freezer and food cupboard. Red cabbage anyone (we have plenty). I am happy with my wardrobe and look forward to wearing every piece throughout the year. I hope to buy very few new items this year.
• To be more anti-consumerist and to not follow trends blindly. 
• Keep my head in a book. In 2015 I read more than I have for many years and I believe reading helped me to both recover from and acknowledge the reality of losing my dad last January. H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald was a great help for this and my favourite read of 2015. I've started a sidebar of my reads in 2016 and may write about some of my reading.
• To read authentic blogs. My taste in blogs has changed and so I've updated my blogroll to reflect my current taste in blogs: authentic, inspiring and no hard sell (especially of simplicity - pleeease). I did fear in 2015 that the heydey of blogging was over but I'm quietly confident that 2016 will be a great year for blogging. 
• To take a balanced approach to health. I must be mindful to not beat myself up if I forget to meditate or miss a run. Any exercise is good. I love walking. Running is less enticing but I have vowed to run a marathon this year (to raise money for Parkinson's in honour of my dad). Wish me luck. It will be my first and (probably) last marathon.
• To continue to declutter. There's still a need to declutter here and there but I can afford to take a relaxed attitude now that the major purging is over. 
• To work hard but appreciate my time off and not feel guilty if it's not productive.
• To continue writing here. There'll be very few changes but hopefully lots of enthusiasm. Happy Friday links will resume on the 8th.

Have a great first week of 2016 xo

A Year of Less Spending

September is here with its shiny new satchel of optimism so what better day to start something new: A Year of Less Spending. From today September 1st 2015 until 31st August 2016, I hope to track all my spending and spend far less money than I have in the last twelve months. It's not a total shopping ban as I don't want us to completely go without nice treats. I don't believe living with less means having to go without your favourite things, it just means having them a little less often. 

Over the last few years we've got much better at managing on a smaller income whilst still enjoying a comfortable but simple life. We've learnt to live with what we've got and make things last (my husband has only ever owned one mobile phone and it's still going strong). We're fortunate to have no debt other than a small mortgage, no credit cards and modest savings/pension provision.

However, despite improvements in my shopping habits such as keeping my grocery shopping more consistent, I still overspend especially when life gets busy and I'm tired. 

Then convenience becomes more attractive than saving money. And despite having minimised my wardrobe to forty pieces last year I've added more pieces to it than I'd planned. Convenience shopping and clothing are still my weaknesses. When I add up my incidental spending over the last twelve months it shocks me how much money I'm still wasting.

Spending less money on my hair over the last year has shown me that I can stick to a challenge. Not dyeing my hair, using less shampoo and cutting my own hair with only occasional salon visits has saved me a fortune (probably more than half of what I previously spent). Now I need to apply this mindset to spending less money in other areas. How many times during the next twelve months will I be tempted to buy wants such as flowers, magazines and charity shop finds? How many times can I resist the lure of my nearby lux eight letter supermarket for the four letter supermarket that requires driving through town but whose receipts ring joy? This is what I'll track and share with you during the next year.

Having less income requires careful management, especially when it fluctuates like my earnings do (I work supply hours as well as my permanent hours). From today I shall be back to keeping a spending diary and trying to spend less. There'll be more time spent planning frugal meals and cooking from scratch. I'll try paying with cash and staying away from shops/advertising/online browsing (where we all know the temptation starts) as much as I can.

My aim is that by keeping a spending diary and by reducing costs we'll be able to save for more fun experiences and some sort of summer holiday next year. I'll be able to make a few considered purchases to update my small wardrobe and start saving for bigger future expenses such as a living room revamp and travel plans for my 50th birthday/our 25th wedding anniversary. 

Above all I hope to reduce my wants, adequately provide for our needs and build savings to help realise our long term dreams. 

One thing we've certainly found is that a higher income doesn't make us happier. As I've written many times we value time together over earning a high salary because of the hidden costs to our health and family life that we experienced when I worked full-time in a management role in teaching. Living with less has made us appreciate all that we have and they're not just material things. 

It also makes me more aware of how easy it is to waste money and how uncomfortable excess consumerism makes me feel.

A Year of Less Spending is a balanced approach to minimalism and materialism. At the end of twelve months I hope to be more accountable for my spending, to have had some great experiences and to have acquired more savings than impulse buys.

Beginning Running

Here's an update of a post that I wrote back in 2012 that might be of use to anyone aiming to start running or wanting to increase their running. 

Running needs commitment. 

My current running goal is to run 3 times a week, complete a half marathon later this year and a marathon next year. 

But I know how hard it is to get started, stay motivated and progress healthily. 

If you're new to running or thinking of increasing your mileage the key is to take your time as your body adjusts to the increased exertion. 

Some simple tips to get you started:

Run/walk to start with. When you start out add short bursts of running to your usual walking. Gradually increase the ratio of running to walking. If you're increasing your mileage walking some of the way can help your body to adjust.

Increase your distance/time by no more than 10 per cent each week.

Stretch before and after running. Focus on stretching your hamstrings, gluteal, calf and quadriceps muscles to help prevent common injuries. Ease down your pace as you finish running and walk for a few minutes before you put the key in the door. Then repeat some of your stretches.

Run at a time to suit your own body clock. Choose a time that suits you. 

Buy the best running shoes you can afford. Ideally buy your shoes or at least seek advice from a shop where the staff have expertise in the products they sell and can match the shoe to your running style/gait. Be honest about your budget at the onset as they might be able to discount a shoe that's about to be discontinued (this happened to me and I made a big saving). 

All women need to wear a good sports bra for running. This is true regardless of your cup size.

Eat more complex carbohydrates on running days. Ideally fuel your body 2-3 hours before a run and try to eat a snack 30 minutes afterwards. 

Take on more water than usual before and after a run.

Listen to your body. Allow plenty of rest days and if you notice sharp pains in your legs or ankles rest for at least 3 days. If your pains persist consult a doctor.

Have the occasional easy week. If you've been increasing your mileage for several weeks allow a lighter week to help ease fatigue and maintain motivation.

Build a running routine. Eliminate excuses by laying out your kit the day before your run. Plan what time you'll leave the house and stick to it. Reward yourself afterwards.

Variety is the spice of running. Plan a few safe routes that you know well and can vary. Enjoy long slow runs but also the occasional short fast one too (with plenty of warm up/cool down time). Run at different times of the day, in different weather conditions, on your own, with a friend or join a running club. No run need ever be the same.

Set a goal. This could be to complete an event or improve your health. With time you'll notice a difference in your strength and muscle tone.

Some runs are harder than others. Some days you'll not be in the mood but the more you encourage yourself to run regularly the more you'll realise the added benefits of running. Talking of which...

10 Reasons Why Running is the Ultimate Minimalist Exercise:

1. It's flexible. Running is easy to fit into your schedule because you can go for a run at any time of day to suit you. You're not subject to complicated timetables and cancelled classes. You can run anywhere even if you're away from home.

2. It's eco friendly. Unlike the use of high tech gyms running outside does not require any heating costs or use any electricity.

3. Running makes you feel happy and improves mental tenacity. Running releases endorphins which gives you that feeling known as runner's high, a feeling of exhilaration. Also, running can be challenging at times (running through wind, rain and up hills) so it can help build up determination and resilience which you can use in other areas of your life.

4. It requires little equipment. A decent pair of running shoes, some high visibility clothing for running in the dark and a sports bra for women will be all the specialist items that you need to buy. You can run in cheap old sports clothes, hardly anyone will see you. Running requires very little set up costs with no joining or membership fee.

5. Running doesn't have to be competitive. You don't have to enter races, you can run with others or alone to suit you. If you run alone, just make sure you take your phone or let someone know your route.

6. Running takes up less time than other types of exercise. You don't need to drive anywhere to take part, simply leave your front door. A short 20 minute run, followed by a quick shower can give you essential exercise without taking up too much of your day.

7. Running is tranquil. In our busy lives running provides an opportunity to get outside, away from the house, the car and the office. Even if you don't have countryside close by you should be able to find a park to run around somewhere nearby. Connecting with nature can be a great stress relief.

8. Running outside can help look after your eyes. Looking into the distance whist running can help relax your eyes - great if you spend a lot of time looking at a computer screen. 

9. Running is meditative. A rhythmic pace can enable your body to experience what psychologists call flow, a state where mind and body work in unison to create a sense of calm and well-being. This is great for relieving anxiety and is why you often feel more energised and positive after a run.

10. Running is a great for all round health. You can get so many health benefits from running such as weight loss, stronger muscles and bones, lowered cholesterol, reduced risk of heart disease, strengthened immune system and improved co-ordination. All in one simple exercise.

Running has been my main form of exercise since I was a teenager. I have tried swimming, yoga and exercise classes but running is the exercise that I always return to. This is because, for me, running is the ultimate minimalist exercise. Minimalism is, in my opinion, about less: owning less and having less commitments and distractions in order to live a more meaningful life. Running fits in with this lifestyle.

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Health Goals Update

Health seems to have been on my mind a lot recently. Maybe it's a kind of internal spring cleaning or maybe I'm panicking as I approach 50. Early in January I wrote about my health goals for the year so here's an update. 

1. Healthy work. I'm lucky that my job is mostly enjoyable and very engaging! With everything else going on over the last few months my part-time hours have allowed me plenty of respite at home to readjust to a 'new normal' without my dad. For this I'm very grateful.

2. Healthy relationships. Losing my dad at the end of January has taught me a lot about relationships. It's taught me 

• not to take other people for granted 
• the amazing kindness of friends and family
• the importance of self-care in order to be able to love others
• that life is short and is for living
• to make more time for my husband as it's all too easy to let the romance slip (we have booked a weekend away in May)

3. Healthy finances. Our main priority is to keep our grocery shopping under control this year. Whilst progress was made in this area last year there's always room for improvement. My motivation is to waste less money; have more room in my cupboards, fridge and freezer; prove to myself that I can stick to a budget; and to use the saved money for savings and fun things for the family. Last month I set a budget and carefully recorded my grocery spending. I stayed on or under budget every week. I think the success was due to sheer determination to stick to my goal and realise the dream of having some spare cash to save and enjoy. My determination meant that I was more disciplined at stock taking, menu planning and sticking to a routine of shopping on the same days. I also avoided my favourite but expensive store. All of this took a lot of time and it became a priority over other domestic tasks like cleaning (which can always wait). Our meals have been just as yummy (especially those not made by me), our diet just as healthy and our kitchen cupboards less full. I've learnt that saving money and sticking to a budget requires determination, planning and time.

4. Healthy food. My efforts to try to improve the quality of my diet by eating more protein, good fats and less sugar have been hit and miss. It wasn't easy with all the hospital visiting in January. My diet really suffered and I consumed far too much caffeine and gourmet crisps. However, I'm getting back on track and gradually reinstating healthier choices. A great new source of inspiration is the lovely Sarah Britton who writes a blog My New Roots. I'm itching to try her Ginger-Pear Mint Smoothie (which also includes avocado). She has a new book out too packed full of inspirational and healthy recipes. During Lent I've also been moderating my alcohol intake to just 1 glass and having more alcohol free days. This has been successful and something I'm going to continue to work on. Looking back at previous health goals I realise that it's been over a year since I drank diet drinks and I've also recently given up sweeteners. It's good to look back at old goals and measure some progress although some habits do seem to take longer to form (flossing?)

5. Healthy mind. Trying to find sanctuary in this digital age (did I really write that) has also been erratic. I need to set limits to my online time, establish a more relaxing bedtime routine and also to practise meditation more regularly. There's 30 days in April so I'll let you know on how many of those days I manage to meditate. My husband is also meditating and we're finding it helpful to be able to share our progress.

6. Healthy body. My aim to run at least one half-marathon this year is going well (my last one was in 2007). I've been running twice a week since January and I can now run for 1 hour and 20 minutes. My goal of running a half-marathon is definitely motivating me. I enjoy every run once I'm out the door and I'm feeling better both physically and mentally than I was before I upped my training (I was previously running once a week). Walking with my husband is also becoming a more regular habit. He works from home and goes for a daily 25 minute walk during his lunch hour and I join him whenever I'm free. Walking side by side is a great way to share some time and switch off in the middle of the day.

7. Healthy consumerism. I've made some recent wardrobe purchases with my birthday money. I've also been given quite a few books as presents as reading is really helping me to unwind at the moment. These new additions have led to some mini-decluttering sessions which I'll update you with soon. We've also been spending a small amount of money on garden supplies for growing some veg this summer. Other than that I've made no unnecessary purchases. What I'm doing well at resisting are all the lovely but expensive home accessories I see online. Glass cloches, double sided hanging frames, designer wallpapers and gorgeous throws will have to remain on Pinterest for me. I could so easily buy these things but realise I don't actually need them. The simple/rustic/ look can be expensive and I could easily be seduced into spending money on it. I think I'll have a restyle of my current home accessories instead and maybe get creative with some homemade wall art as well. And if I do well at restraining myself from purchasing simple accoutrements I may well treat myself to some paint as I'm feeling the urge to repaint our walls. Freshly painted walls - the simplest look of all. The kitchen is first on my list. Gosh, it feels good to get my want list off my chest. 

Oh, and I cut my own hair this weekend. Several vlog tutorials and 40 minutes with some scissors and ta-dah not a bad result! I will definitely cut my own hair again when it needs it. Cutting hair is a fairly simple skill and one I'm trying to master. Do you know I felt just as good afterwards as when I visit a salon. Which just goes to show that it's not spending money, sitting in a plush hairdressers or being pampered that make me feel better - it's just getting a new look. It was also a relief not to have to discuss holidays, be encouraged to buy expensive hair products or asked if I needed any foil highlights (I don't as I'm growing out my hair colour and letting in the grey gracefully). 

Did you set any health goals this year? Do you still get spending urges? How are you getting on? It's always lovely to hear from you.

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Minimalist Monday: My Word for 2015

Hello. A little late this year, forgive me, but here is the word I have chosen to guide me through 2015. This is the third year I have chosen a word as a theme for the year. In 2013 I chose 'focus' and in 2014 'purpose'. Clear has a different feel to it than my previous words that were very driven and were about finding new direction (although I did define 'focus' as 'to see things more clearly' - so maybe I'm going round in circles!) I think my direction has become clearer over the last two years and I won't be making any major life changes in 2015, especially since loosing my dad recently. 

Here are a few definitions of clear that I've found:

1. Uncomplicated, simple and user-friendly
2. Transparent, unclouded
3. To be away from
4. To remove an unwanted item from somewhere

My hopes for 2015 are to

- keep things simple in my home, my work and my attitude - why complicate things?
- provide simple, user-friendly information on my blog to inspire others with their simplifying, with maybe some more vlogs and possibly an e-book - what do you think? Any other suggestions?
- to spend more time off technology than on, especially in my free time
- to clear more clutter and have some clear shelves and cupboard space - wouldn't that be wonderful?
- clear more junk from my diet and drink more water 

So, in 2015 I'm ambitious but in a minimalistic way. As I'm a bit late to the party with my word for the year, how about sharing your progress to date if you've chosen a word for the year? Or what's the one thing that's complicating your life that you're finding it hard to let go of? It's always wonderful to hear from you. Have a great week xo

A Healthy 2015

I am confident that nobody... will accuse me of selfishness if I spend time, while I am still in good health, with my family, my friends and also with myself. Nelson Mandela 

Here's my list of healthy resolutions for the new year.

1. Healthy work. My aim is to enjoy my work, be passionate about it but not get too stressed if I have a bad day. I've lost too many hours sleep over performance angst. I love my job (teaching) and the value that it adds. Us teachers need to lighten our load. 
2. Healthy relationships. No relationship is perfect and every relationship needs work. I need to work on appreciating my loved ones, their imperfections and all. 2 robust teenagers and our less robust parents will take up most of our energy this year. Connecting with friends, old and new, is also key. 
3. Healthy finances. I'm no financial expert but over the last year I've begun to appreciate the need for a tighter grip on our finances. Continuing keeping our grocery shopping under control is a top priority this year.  
4. Healthy food. In recent months I've ditched calorie counting for counting the cost that poor food choices are having on my body. Eating more protein, good fats and less sugar is already making a difference to how l feel and look. It takes some experimenting with, but working out the balance that is right for you is worth it.   
5, Healthy mind. We need stimulation and to learn new things but a healthy mind needs downtime too. We need to look inward as well as outward. We need to find time to step back and to find sanctuary in this digital age. I aim to find that sanctuary through more walking, less time on my phone and laptop and making time for meditation and prayer. Searching can be inward as well as outward. 
6. Healthy body. It's all about making the most of what you've got and enjoying the body that you've been given. It's about moving more, not sitting still for long periods of time and finding enjoyable exercise. My aim this year is to run at least another half-marathon (my last one was in 2007). I don't relish the thought of stepping out the front door but I love how I feel once I get into the flow of a steady run. This needs to be my mantra. 
7. Healthy consumerism. OK, so we all need to buy stuff. However, I am committed to a life of less. Purchases that are non-essential will be limited this year. I'm planning on spending some money on improving our house, our garden and also my wardrobe but all on a tiny, tiny budget. Other than that I don't need any more stuff. 

How about you? Have you got plans for a healthy 2015? Id love to hear. e

Vlog Review 2014

Happy New Year everybody! All the best for 2015.

Claire xo

In the Slow Lane this Christmas

Every year Christmas seems to besiege us more unexpectedly than before. It seems only 5 minutes since I was reluctantly packing away my sandals and now I'm contemplating going into the loft to check how many Christmas cards and rolls of wrapping paper I have left over from last year. Some of my friends and colleagues have already announced that they've finished their gift buying and a certain item has already caused panic buying in the shops (a cuddly penguin called Monty, if you're not in the UK). If we're not careful advertisers, retailers, magazine articles and even our own friends and family can make us feel under pressure to get buying, get busy and get burnt-out. 

Not me. I'll be in the slow lane once more this Christmas, taking time out en route for peace and calm. My present buying will be mainly consumables, vouchers, experiences or items that people have requested. It will be carefully planned to match my budget and I'm going to try and keep extra food shopping to a minimum. I might even save the sherry for Christmas Eve. Shopping trips will be short or done online and I will buy it gradually over the next few weeks. I bought a few bottles of wine as presents on our recent trip to France, but other than that I haven't started my Christmas shopping yet. 

In pursuit of a calm lead up to Christmas and (hopefully) a chance to rest once the holiday arrives I have also decided it's time to finish those decluttering goals I set myself at the beginning of the year. I will report back on my progress but before I do... 

Why I'm Decluttering Before Christmas:

1. To reduce stress. When my home or areas of my homes are cluttered it creates daily stress as I search for items. Decluttering in advance will lessen this stress and make it easier to tidy and clean the house as Christmas approaches.
2. Empty space can be calming. Even one tidier drawer makes me feel happier and less stressed - much needed at this time of year. A cleared shelf in a cupboard to store Christmas presents will make me feel organised and prepared. 
3. To support charities. Instead of making a little extra money for myself I will donate unwanted items that I have been holding onto for too long to charity shops. 
4. I want to review my relationship with stuff. I need to ask myself: Why did I want this? How often did I use it? When did I last use it? Why have I been unable to let it go? 
5. To make room. It's inevitable that at Christmas new items will enter the house. Decluttering now will even that out and if I do a good job might free up some space permanently. 

What better time of year to assess and reflect on our relationship to material things? It might just slow us all down.

New Beginnings

This September feels full of hope and potential. After a period of supply teaching I now have a few permanent hours at a lovely school I've been working at since February. It's a very different role to my previous teaching post and fits in perfectly with my desire for less responsibility and a happy work life balance. 

Over the summer holidays I've been contemplating how different I feel compared to a year ago when I was in my last job. I think that the challenges and changes that I've taken on have given me a new confidence borne from following my heart. I'm happier, healthier, and oh, I'm laughing a lot more these days. 

After completing my tiny garden makeover and finishing my 40 piece minimalist wardrobe this summer, I now need to turn my attention back to keeping my day to day spending under control. More planning, budgeting and resolve are needed as I've lapsed a little with recording and restraining my spending recently. I'm also looking into minimizing my hair and beauty routine and seeking homemade and natural alternatives to what's on the shelves in the shops. I'm on my second week of using alternatives to shampoo – I'll keep you posted on my no-poo venture. You can't beat a new challenge!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy September xo

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Small Garden Makeover on a Budget

One of my minimalist goals this year was to create a low maintenance courtyard garden. We started this project in April and have almost finished it. Anyhow, it is finished enough to be a very relaxing space now (especially with no lawn to maintain and our recent glorious weather) and I think I owe you more than a peep of the revamp. 
These photos have been taken over the last few weeks.

As you can see we pretty much stuck to our design. To keep costs down we didn't make any structural changes but a lot of labour was involved: digging up and disposing of the lawn; measuring and cutting wood; laying membrane, slate and bark; painting the deck, fence and shed; adding compost and grit to the soil and finally cleaning the slabs without a pressure washer - no gym membership required round here!
The table and chairs were passed onto us by my mum and dad and some things like the box in large tubs, the lanterns, cushions and rope lights we already had. Our planting was also done as cheaply as possible. Many of the plants were from local plant sales in May or donated by friends and family. It's been very exciting watching some very tiny plants grow so quickly such as the verbena bonariensis which has grown and flowered like crazy in the last few weeks. Our friend Elizabeth sent tiny seedlings of this plant from her gorgeous garden in Cornwall. It's hard to believe they were lost in the post for several days, looking at them now. 

We are really pleased with the grasses we have planted (Karl Forester and Mexican grass) as they add height and movement. Our colour scheme is purple, white and green which I hope to follow through in the autumn by planting bulbs such as white narcissi, alliums and purple tulips. Lots of herbs have also been planted to provide interest and free food: chives, tree spinach, rosemary and parsley. 
There is also lavender although it has stopped flowering now.

You might have noticed a blue sail above the table; this is temporary and we're hoping to replace it with a white version soon. Also on our to-do list is creating a screen for our two wheelie bins which are near the back gate. Plus I have a wish list of more plants but I am holding back until next year. I hope you've enjoyed this garden tour as much I've enjoyed creating it. I can't tell you how much pleasure I'm getting from pottering about in my tiny garden.
And how much more relaxing this space is now whether we're alone or entertaining. 

Not bad for a small garden on a budget (we spent less than £300). 

And it's bee friendly too.

May Inspiration

I love a new month and I love May (and June) especially. Longer days and spring and summer months stretch ahead. I feel inspired to...

♥ grow my hair again
♥ plant my new garden
♥ wear something floral
♥ eat more vegetarian food
♥ spring clean
♥ declutter, declutter, declutter
♥ take evening walks
♥ enjoy a family bicycle ride
♥ try some yoga at home
♥ run
♥ reduce my paperwork
♥ have adventures on sunny days

May has arrived. I hope it shapes up well for you xo

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Digging...

Hello there! Today the lawn has finally gone. Our plans for a minimalist garden are under way! It has taken five days and has been a massive learning curve. I tackled it one square at a time, separating the lawn from the soil (we were told we couldn't put the lawn into the skip as it is living matter). Gradually I developed a system and found my flow. I enjoyed it then. Thankfully, as hubs was working, my boys helped me take the heavy bags of lawn to the local council tip. Next we have to remove more soil and deposit it in our hired skip. Then we can start choosing our materials and plants to transform this small garden. I can't wait! I can't wait for Easter either, can you? Down time, family time and... chocolate. Oh yes, chocolate I await you. Pretty pictures of Easter to follow xo

My Minimalist Garden Plan 2014

At the beginning of 2014 I published my list of minimalist goals for the year. One of these was to redesign our small lawned back garden into a low maintenance courtyard garden. We moved to this house in June 2012 and have done nothing to the garden. Last year we hoped to remove our small lawn but were unsure exactly how to do it. Needless to say, the project never got off the ground (please pardon the pun). This year I was determined to have a clear plan and get the project started (and finished) by late spring. The recent warm spell has spurred us on.

So after some research and discussion we have been playing with some new designs. Here's our current design (hubs' fantastic handiwork - thank you).

You'll see from the photo below of our garden last summer that we're not planning to change the basic structure of the garden so the tree, fence, deck, paving and very small shed.will remain in place.

Our budget is small so as well as designing it ourselves we will also be doing all the labour ourselves. Our money will go on membrane, gravel, edging (recycled wood possibly), pebbles, deck stain, paint (for the fence and shed), improving the soil and buying new plants. If we can we will recycle materials and barter for plants from family and friends. 

The main aims of this garden redesign are to make the garden lower maintenance and more attractive. Although I love plants and gardening I am now happy not to own every plant ever created. I do miss my large garden from our previous house but not the hours of work that it needed to stay looking presentable.

The planting look we're going for in our back garden is a strong design with structural plants that will have impact all year round. Think grasses, box, phormiums, lavender and bamboo. Think more time relaxing in, and less time working in, the garden.

The front of our house has a much sunnier aspect so here I will indulge my inner rustic with a few seasonal pots, possibly some home grown veg and a little bench. I think that will give me the perfect balance of being able to relax in but also being able to potter in the garden.

So, what do you think? Do you have any suggestions? Plants? Colours for the shed and fence? I'd love to hear.