Technorati Tags: minimalist,new year,resolution

The New Year is almost here, and it’s time to think what to change in our lives for the coming year. Here are 7 minimalist things I am planning for my New Year’s resolutions. Maybe some of these suggestions can work for you too?

1. Less time on the computer

Web, email and instant messages are useful, but can get in the way of real work. I spend way too much time on the Internet when I could doing a lot more productive tasks. I will schedule separate daily periods for reading web news, reading and replying to email, and chatting with friends, and not go back to them until the next day. This will probably be in the morning, since I’ll be waking up earlier. I am certain this will be a tough habit to break, but it’s worth a try.

2. Wake up earlier

When I was a kid, I used to get up early to watch my Saturday morning cartoons, and would then have the rest of the day to play outside. I should have stuck to that schedule . These days, I still have to wake up early to get to my job, but the usual schedule is not too fun; get up, have breakfast, get dressed, leave. When I get up earlier this year (5:00 am), I will have time to prepare a healthy breakfast and lunch for the day, read my email and web news, exercise and maybe even relax and have a cup of tea. The early bird gets the worm!

3. Less junk food, more cooking

Eating too often at restaurants is a lazy habit of mine. Not that I crave fast food (well, sometimes), it’s more that I am too lazy to cook my own food. This year I will limit the number of times I go to restaurants (probably 2-3 times a week to start). I will also schedule a day every week or two for cooking healthy meals that I can freeze in individual portions, for the rest of the month (I’ve read about “once a month cooking” before). This should help lower the food budget too!

4. Less filth, cleaner apartment

I am often lazy about doing dishes, laundry or dusting my apartment. The more I wait, the more I’m discouraged about the growing pile of dirty dishes. This year I will make my apartment cleaner that I has even been. Doing dishes at least every few days instead of every week, doing laundry every week (before I run out of underwear), and dusting when I can notice dust on furniture. I might even wash the floor, which I heard normal people do .

5. Less stuff, give more away

A few times a year, I go through my stuff and get rid of items I don’t use or need. I still have books I know I won’t read a second time, and even some I’m sure I will never read a first time. If I haven’t worn something in the past 3 months, I’ll get rid of it (except maybe the suit I wear to weddings, which I seem to going to a lot lately ). This year I will purge unneeded books and and clothes every month. Also when buying something, I will try to give something away (or sell on eBay).

6. Less gadget buying

Being a programmer, I’m a sucker for computer related gadgets. I have drawers full of cables, hard drives and video games which I don’t need anymore. This year, I will really try hard not to buy the latest game console, graphics card or USB keychain (not that can afford all those anyway’s). I will only buy something computer related if something breaks or if I really need it. Cleaning out those drawers will also help cleanup my apartment.

7. Less debt, more savings

Along with buying less gadgets and fast food, I will focus that saved money on paying off my debts, and putting money aside for emergencies. I’ve always wanted to have a few months’ rent saved in case I lose my job. Once my credit card is paid off, I will only buy stuff when I actually have the cash, and only use my credit card for emergencies (or online stuff). I will also plan a budget for future big projects, like trips and a house.

What do you plan on cutting back for New Years?

Related posts:

1. Minimalist-style cooking for the holidays