A new life

this picture was taken in the spring of 2010

As you are reading this post, I am entering yet another part of my life...  like those flowers in the spring...

Next time you read me, on Friday, I will be officially unemployed...  but still busy...  and writing.... and keeping all my stuff up-to-date!

I am on the very last few days of having a 9-5 job in the company I am currently working in...  my last day is October 31st... 

I am exited.... and confused... and a little sad...

I am not "losing" my job for the first time... it's actually the 3rd...
And I KNOW that I will be fine....  no worries... I always was...

I am exited because because every time it happened, it brought me to something new... something more exiting... something I needed at that time of my life! I am exited because I am entering the "unknown"... yet once again...  and you never know what you'll find there!

I am confused because I have plans... of course... I always do... but I also know that it doesn't always work out perfectly as plan... so I am trying to figure out what could happen... and this is confusing because really, ANYTHING is possible...  so there is no point in planning for the mid-long term...
I know what I will do in the short term...  write more... read more...  knit...  do yoga... cook.... offer conferences... start some coaching... start writing another book...  take time to myself...   and then I'll see where this leads me... I may even start playing the keyboard.. it is on my bucket list...  and I will have time...

I am sad because I am leaving a bunch of great people... to name a few... Alison, Anne-Marie, Diane,  Lubo, Jean-Marc, Innocent, Robert, Paul-Josue, Wayne, Marina and many more....  they were my "family" and "friends" for the last year... I will miss them...  little do I know, I have been to many companies and it is very difficult to keep in touch with everyone...  thanks to my conferences and facebook we may run into each other again (in person or virtually) but not as often and it will definitely not be the same...  this is why I am sad... but I also know that this is life...  these people will always be with me in what they gave me over the last year... I will never forget them... and I am bringing good memories home with me!

It is now time to say goodbye!  and hello!

Goodbye to a part of my life... and hello to a new part of my life...

No regrets....  good memories... and many more friends...

I am looking forward to see what Life as plan for me next... but no matter what it is, I know it will be the best thing that could happen to me at this point!!!

Of course I will keep you posted...

p.s. in preparation for this new life, I did change the look of the blog...  what do you think of it? Have you look at the different pages?

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And forward this post to people who may be interested!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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A bucket list

This is what my bucket list looks like...  I know pretty much empty...
I have come across this expression quite a few times over the last few weeks...  and I understand the idea..  a list of things you want to do before you die... 

I have mention to a friend that learning to play the keyboard was on my bucket list...  to talk like other's do...  and then she asked me if I have my bucket list written down somewhere...  but I really don't...  and she showed me hers and it was VERY interesting... and got me thinking...  (Hey I can hear you thinking - you're going "here we go again...")

I was wondering if a bucket list would go well with minimalism...  after all it's like a wish list...  is it really necessary??? Then I realize that it could be something else then buying stuff...  it could be learning something... or doing something....  experiencing something... but then again... is it really necessary?  When you live in the present moment, there really is no place for wishes....  or not so much...

I tried to come up with something... for sure there are stuff I would love to have a chance to do before I die... but I don't think I'd regret it if I don't... let me explain that....  I try to live my life in such a way that I have minimal expectations....  I try to enjoy life as it goes by...  I enjoy everything (jobs,stuff, people, experiences) as they come and go...  knowing that everything that comes my way I need at that time... and when it goes I no longer need it...  and I accept that...  I also try to do things as they come to my head...  If I have an idea, I put it in place almost right away or as soon as possible... 

I still tried to come up with a "list"... and it looked something like that:

Learn keyboard
Visit Portugal
Visit France
Visit Africa (not sure which country yet....)
Go to California for a while
Live in Vancouver for a few years
Tour North America in a caravan for 6 months or more
Write another book
Earn a living with conferences and coaching - helping others
Move to a tiny loft - max 500 sq ft
Shave my head
Die my hair purple or blue
Stop dying my hair and asume the grey

These are all the things I can come up with...  and they are not in any specific order... and beside the 3 that are in green it really doesn't truly matter if I do or don't do it... and if you've been following me long enough, you already know that those items are what I am trying to do now.... they are in my current life...  and hence why they are so important!

All the rest may or may not happen... and as a matter of fact, they may even not be on my list 2 weeks, a few months or years from now.... and that's OK too.... and for all that matter, even the iems in green may not be there sometimes from now... because it may no longer suit me!

and then I want to swipe all that list... because if there is stuff I really want to achieve/see before I die is my son being a happy peaceful grown up man...  and world peace...
When that happens, I'm OK to die!!!

Everything else doesn't really matter as long as I am happy and healthy!

What about you?  do you have a bucket list?  Is it written down or not? Do you share it with others or is it secret?

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And forward this post to people who may be interested!

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love&peace,
nath
xox
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I am frustrated...

 

I do not know how to write this post...  I am not having such a good day and I am a little frustrated....  now when I started writing this blog almost 3 years ago, I promised myself I would only write about my truth...  no bullshit.... no pretending.... and say things as they are....  I am not perfect.... and never will be...  I do my best.... like most of us!  Sometimes it's enough.... other's not...
I am rarely frustrated or upset for more than 5 minutes....  so you may not have read any post where I am... I am usually happy and positive... sometimes sad.. but rarely upset or frustrated... today I am... at me and at all of us!!!

Of course I could pretend I forgot we were Tuesday and that I am suppose to write for you guys on Tuesdays as per my new schedule... and avoid writing in such a mood...  but that would not be honest and I would know it...

I am upset because I realise that life can be so simple... and we tend to complicate it so much... for no reason... or should I say for no real valid reasons?

We have all those projects for our lives....  things we plan on doing someday...  things we plan on doing now...  objectives we make four ourselves...  and then what???  we sabotage it!!!  Yes we do... because we do not believe in ourselves... because we are scared...  because we take time to think about what others will say... and then what???  then we may have missed an opportunity to do something we loved... an opportunity to be happy.... an opportunity to be useful to others...
why?  because we were afraid...  because we assumed we knew what others would think...  but what if it is not really what they're thinking?  what if you giving an example?  and if it is... who cares really???  it's your life!!!  Live it your way....  for someday it may be too late...   and then you'll regret it!!! 

So for all of us (yes I am including myself), that are trying to stop smoking, loose weight, take up yoga, train for a marathon, change job, take up a new activity, end a relationship, start a new project,  write a book, start a blog, plan to move in another country,...  I just have this to say:

Have no regrets!!!  Live YOUR life!!!   YOUR way!!!  That is all that matters...

on that note, I will go meditate a little to calm myself...

as always thanks for reading me...

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And forward this post to people who may be interested!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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My clothes - assuming who I am...

 

Picture of me in one of my fall outfit

 

I have recently updated my wardrobe for fall.... as some of you may know, I am following Project 333 ..  I went over the rules and my rules numerous times I find... but this post is NOT about rules...  It's about rewards...

 

Yes I have rules....  yes I have minimized my wardrobe....  I use to have so many clothes... it was ridiculous...   I am not even going to guess a number but I remember vividly, years ago, when talking with friends,  about our wardrobe, we use to try and figure out how many of us we could dress for how many days without wearing the same item twice...  Well at one point, I could have dressed 3 of us for a whole month without having to do laundry or wear the same item twice!!!!  This was ridiculous!!!! But we thought it was funny... and it was almost like a contest...  little did I know, I would get in big financial trouble over that!!! But no regrets... I had fun... and look at it on the bright side, because I ended up giving most of it, if not all of it, to charity, there are some "lucky" people in my neighbourhood!!!

 

After a year of project 333, I am now happy with the amount of clothes I have... they can ALL fit.... ALL 4 seasons... in one kid's size closet and a 3 chest drawer... AND there is still breathing room... and nothing under my bed or in another room!

 

But what else, aside from empty space did I get from project 333???

 

1) Free time - I take less time to figure out how to dress in the morning... I can therefore do more yoga!!! Or whatever else I want but stare at my wardrobe thinking I have nothing to wear!

 

2) I am now at a financial point where I am no longer creating debt and  even paying of the small amount I have left....  I am not even stressed out by loosing my job because of money issues... I use to buy clothes literally EVERY weeks....   and not necessarily only one item!!!  This was ridiculous!!!  I am saving so much money by not buying so much clothes.... I haven't buy any clothes in over a month now... and I do not miss it... I really enjoy wearing MY clothes! I am also saving lots of time... that I can spend cooking delicious vegan meals... or doing yoga.. or reading books.. or enjoying a walk outside instead of in a shopping mall...

 

3) I had to pick and choose the items... and yes that did not go easy at first... because I use to pick them rationally... according to what people were expecting me to wear...  and then I ended up not having anything or almost nothing I like to wear and felt comfortable in... so yes I ended up giving stuff and having to buy again...  but now I understood how this really works... and as of this summer, I have nothing in my wardrobe that does not fit me well, that I do not feel great in, that doesn't reflect my lifestyle... and more importantly that doesn't reflect WHO I AM.... not who people want me to be or how people expect a 40 years old woman with a degree to dress...

 

 4) And the greatest rewards from following project 333 for a year.... along with doing my yoga/meditation and working on myself is that I now know who I am... I found it... I can now let go of what others think... of what people's expectations are towards me...  that is no longer significant to me because I am genuinely happy with who I am... and the image I send out... those 2 things are well in tune!!!  And this is important...  in order to be happy with yourself, you need to know who you are... deep down... underneath all those layers (physical or not)... and you need to put it out there!!!  I am not saying you all have to be peace and love junkies like me to be happy...  but you have to admit to yourself who you are... what you believe in...  what you value most...  and then it needs to be reflected outside of you so that you can attract similar people.... then you get surrounded with people that love you for who you are...  not who they think you are.... and this is when all the magic starts to happen... people can feel authenticity.... and are attracted to it!!! I knew for years that I was that person... but I could not assume it... and it is still not always easy... it is so different than the majority... but this is how I feel great...  and this is how I want to live my life...

 

 

So I am really happy I got to know Courtney and that she introduced me to project 333....  the magic of the Internet!!! It was really rewarding to me... It was the greatest gift I got in a long time... the gift of finding myself and learning to assume who I am... the gift of time... the gift of being debt free (or getting there)... the gift of freedom...  freedom of being able to take time to myself.... freedom of being able to afford being jobless for a while...freedom of doing stuff I love rather than stuff I feel compelled to do...

 

I will try to take more pictures of my outfit... as requested by many of you...  it's just not something I think about... 

 

 

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And forward this post to people who may be interested!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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Mind clutter and announcement

It's funny how I just recently realized that when I express a desire to understand something or get help with something is suddenly just shows up...  And it happened again today....  I was wondering how to get rid of mental clutter....  And I read it here ...  This post just came into my inbox...  AMAZING!

Yes I have been meditating for years...  yes I can turn off the small voices.... or chattering or thousands of thoughts we're faced with daily...  but I can do it when I meditate...  I can do it when I get into a good discussion about something I am passionate about...  namely yoga, nutrition, stress management, minimalism and human nature...  but aside from that the mental clutter is STILL there...  and the "voice" inside my head does not always tell me what I wish to hear... it has been well conditioned... Yes I was told several times that I can be good at mostly anything... and this is an excellent start in life!  But I was also told what is doable or not (so this sound like "yes you are good enough to a a normal thing" - I was never really told I am good enough to think out of the box - or think like if there was no box!)! 

I got some pattern entered in my head... like we all do.... from my parents, my surrounding, my teachers, my friends....  etc...  and those patterns are most times based on their experiences... and needs... and fears... not necessarily mine!  But nonetheless, because it comes from people I loved and trusted, I assumed they were right!  And I am NOT saying they were right or wrong... they were probably right for themselves...  not necessarily for me!  I like to think out of the box... I like to do things differently... but I am very good at reminding myself that "this is not standard", "this is not how it is suppose to be done", "what if it doesn't work out", "why would it work out", "who are you to think you can do this"...  this is what is in my head sometimes.... and I want to get rid of this.... and until I read this blog post I had not clue how to do it...  Yes I tried meditation.... yes I tried positive thinking...  and I am overall quite a positive lady I would say... but I do have my moments of doubt... and I want to get rid of those moments because they slow me down... they unconsciously put a break to my moving forward.... because each moment you hesitate, you're not moving forward! 

I also firmly believe that like Buddha said: "What you think you become"...  so if I have a dream, and I keep thinking about that dream, it will happen!!!  But if every now and then I "change" my dream because of fear... it might not happen.... because my "logical" brain may win and convince me that this is not for me... that I am not good enough for that dream...  but who can say that???  It's my dream!!!  I am allowed to have my dream... we're all allowed to have our dreams!!! Why would I let a small negative emotion chase it away??? (Be warned that even thus positive thoughts are way more powerful than negative ones, they actually happen much less in frequency... and this is why negative ones that convince us one idea is not going to work out often, too often, wins!)

It the post I read, it all came in perspective... it was basically saying that mental clutter in not any different than physical clutter...  There is only one item that can fit into one specific space.... when I became minimalist, I got rid of all the physical clutter.... it is now time that I attack the mental clutter!!!  There is not more room in my brains for negative thoughts that there was room in my home for ugly stuff...  There is no more room in my brain for useless thoughts than there was was useless stuff in my home!  Time that I start attacking my mental clutter....  I will, one by one, replace all the negative, useless thoughts with nice ones...  I do not know how long it will take.... some can be quite persistent... but I will do it!!!  Hey it took me 6 years to get a home I am comfortable in with no clutter...  it is worthwhile working on my mental clutter!!!! I can move anytime I want.. my "mental" is hopefully not going anywhere anytime soon!

My plan is to: every time I have one of those negative thoughts, chase is it out of my head, actually visualise it leave my head... and replace it with something nice...  and take up the empty spot the negative thought left... something more along the line of:

I let the miracle happen because I deserve it!
I earn a living doing a job I love
I am good enough
I am smart enough
I am resourceful 

these are my phrases... I may even find more... they can be customize for each one of you... according to your dream... and I know I may have to chase and replace quite often.... but I know I can recondition myself to be who I want to be!!!  And I will do it!!!

Now, as for the announcement, I would like to let you guys know that in order to manage my time better, I will be writing on this blog on Tuesdays and Fridays from now on...  Twice weekly unless there is something spectacular that cannot wait to be written!!!  I have to work on a scheduling of my time.... and this is what I need to do now...   I will always look forward to write for you guys biweekly....  and will still read carefully and respond on a timely manner to each of your comments and email....  I love it!!!

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And forward this post to people who may be interested!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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Epicurean vs minimalist and vegan

vegan brownies sundae!!!

This post is inspired by my little brother's post back in August. You can read it here.

He's epicurean and I am a vegan minimalist...  isn't it compatible??? Can you be all of that?
He was surprise that I asked him to be a guest post....  because of what he thinks is a huge difference between us...  I didn't think it was!

Let's look at some definition...

epicurean: fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasure; having luxurious taste or habits, especially in eating and drinking

vegan: a vegetarian who omits all animal product from the diet

minimalist: (could not find a definition as a general concept unless in arts or politics) person who simplifies their lifestyle by reducing amount of possession, busyness of calendar, activities and who enjoys the simpler pleasure in life (my definition)

Now the above picture was taken at a vegan restaurant in Ottawa (unfortunately I can't remember the name but I know exactly how to get there!)...  our entire meal was delicious... but this brownie sundae with coconut ice cream and coconut whipped cream... vegan brownies.. and vegan chocolate coulis was just to die for!!!!  A true feast for my mouth....  I enjoyed every bits and pieces of it....  and would we have know it was so delicious, we'd get 2 not to have to share between my husband and I!!!

This sundae, surely was epicurean...  and was definitely vegan.... so I guess those 2 are not mutually exclusive!!! 

You can actually find quite luxurious vegan meals...  Luxurious does not necessarily include animal product.... once you're used to not have animal product, you find luxury elsewhere!  Where did we start associating luxury to a huge expensive piece of steak? And vegan can have champagne with strawberries and chocolate... isn't that the ultimate luxury??

So vegan can have luxury in their meals and drinks... so they can be epicurean... 

What about minimalist?  Well by definition a minimalist doesn't have to give up luxury... and actually most of us prefer having very few items but of good quality...  we prefer quality over quantity!!!  When you only have a few bowls to have your meals in, you can actually get more expensive ones.... and same goes for clothes....  I have only one winter jacket... but it's a really good one that cost me a lot of $$$...  same for winter boots... and rain boots...  Being a minimalist means choosing what we put our money on... it has nothing to do with living poorly... or being cheap...  just making choices... and spending on what really matters to us! I prefer to pay 4-5$ for a tea at Starbucks than 1-2$ for one a Tim Horton or MacDonald... and that is my choice...

So I would think that you can be an epicurean vegan minimalist...  and I would go further by saying that most minimalist I know will prefer luxury over quantity... and most vegans I know will pay more for food just to have good quality...

I am an epicurean, vegan, minimalist, yogi!!!  lol

What do you guys think about that? 
Any vegan and/or minimalist want to risk a comment? 
Any non-vegan and/or non-minimalist want to comment?

Please do comment.. it makes this more fun... I enjoy seeing what my readers are thinking!!!

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And foward this post to people who may be interested!

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love&peace,
nath
xox
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Not giving up!!!

Can you see the tiny yellow flower?

 

It is sooooooo easy to get lost... in many ways...  How do you make sure you're on the right path?  How do you make sure you stay on it?

In the big picture of things, we are really tiny... just like this yellow flower...
We can easily get un-noticed...  or worse get absorb by everything surrounding us...

I do not mean this in a bad way... but it is the way society is conceived...  there is room for big stuff... and not so much for the rest....  but what if your path is "the rest"...  what if you feel compelled to do something that may seem small or un-noticed but that is really important???   To you and to the ones surrounding you...   What if your path is not the one the majority is following (and it most likely is the case if you're following this blog)?  What if you constantly feel like your going upstream instead of following the current???  It may be overwhelming... and at some point you may want to give up....  but look for signs before you do... look at that one word..one smile...  one email... one testimony...  there's always one...  If you feel compelled to do something, you have to do it!  You have to give it all you have! If you want to be happy... and proud of yourself... if you want to give it a fair chance... You have to be honest with yourself... and compassionate to yourself...

Now more personally...  time for me to open the door to you to who I really am...

I feel an urge to explain my path to people....  to tell them how I managed my health... how I changed my life.... how I believe anything is possible! I wrote "Life Happens" to do just that...  and I thought it would be enough.... but it is not!!  I feel an urge to communicate my message further more... I want to do conferences on the subject of nutrition, stress management and minimalism... I want to write more books... and some e-books... and do some podcast... I want this to change people's life... I want to do some one-on-one coaching for people who express the desire to truly turn their life around...    I have to do it!!! I want to be a wellness ambassador!!! I want THIS to be my LIFE!!!

Now do I know how?  Not really...  well not completely... I am starting a few things here and there.... I have many ideas that I will try one after the other...  I am seeking help, suggestion, input from friends... and it is not easy... and sometimes like this week end I wonder why?  why am I breaking my head like this???  what is it good for?  why not get a decent permanent paying job (with insurance and a pension plan)?  buy a house and a car? travel 2-3 times a year...  But then I get a nice message from a friend that gives me the power I needed to keep going... (thanks Claire)  a message that reminds me that I have been down that route before... and I was not happy... and I was sick...  and I was not at peace with myself... This was a sign.... this was what I needed to hear to give me energy... I get so many unanswered cry for help, and so many "no"... that when I get one YES!  one big vibrant "you need to do this"  "we need you to do this" kind of words, it makes up for so many "rejections"...

Do I know if it will work?  Well not 100%... nothing ever is 100% sure in life... aside from the fact that you were born and that you will die... but I know that if I give it all I have, it will work... maybe not in the form and shape that I want to... maybe not in the form and shape that I anticipate... but it will be in the form and shape that works best for me...  because it always does work out this way... somehow we always get what we put out... and I am so passionate about this that I will get it!

I just have to stay focus... not let the big stuff swallow me... and keep my friends...  all of you at one point or another give me those message of hope... those words of encouragement... I just want to say THANK YOU!!!

If you want details on my upcoming conferences and coaching session send me a friend request on Facebook... shoot me a message that you know me from my blog...  sign up to receive this in your email directly (right on top of the page)...

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And foward this post to people who may be interested!

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love&peace,
nath
xox
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My cooking routine

I often get asked how I can manage to cook most of my stuff from scratch, never eat out during the week, have a full time job and a side business... all this with a 3h daily commute... and not owning a microwave! And minimal amount of pots and pans!

One word for you guys:   ORGANISATION!!!

as simple as that... I did not get there overnight... when I first became vegetarian, I ate out a lot... and bought too much prepared food... then we started gaining weight... and not feeling so good!  So I started looking for solutions...  and adding one after the other I found my own way to organize myself... with eating out only when it's a conscious decision... not because I have nothing to prepare a meal... and without spending ridiculous amount of money on groceries....

I never buy canned anything....  I've set up a rotation for beans and legumes where I always have frozen chick peas, red beans and black beans.... ready to be used with rice, quinoa, and fresh vegetables...  in some sort of a stew or soup!  This can be done in a matter of 30 minutes maximum (if I did not prepare over the week end) since I also always have frozen rice! I only have to think of what rice/legume take out of the freezer in the morning to make sure they're unfrozen by supper time!

I like to go my groceries on Sunday (and I usually go back once or twice for fruits and veggies during the week!)... and then do my usual 3h cooking frenzy!!!  I prepare my menus on Sunday morning while having a coffee at Starbucks, shop after lunch and cook late afternoon/early evening...

I try to always make a soup and a stew... this allow for 3-4 meals easily (2 during the week and left over for lunches or freezing in individual portion size)...  plus they are complete in themselves having whole grains, legumes and vegetables (read carbohydrate, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals)!  One meal is pasta... with homemade pesto or sauce which I also make on the Sunday (or last minute - it doesn't take long)...  sometimes in a big batch so I have for 2-3 weeks (frozen)...  Another meal is some saute vegetables with rice or pasta and tofu!  Once again. complete in one wok!!!

For example, if I take my last Sunday cooking plan it looked like that:

1) cook quinoa - to put in salad for lunches at work

2) At the same time white beans were cooking for another recipe

3) once the quinoa is cooked, put in container for fridge and wash pot to be used to cook beets

4) roast cauliflower for supper

5) once beans are cooked, put in ceramic container with remaining ingredients to cook in stove (after cauliflower is done) for all night.  Wash that pot and make barley stew.

This was my cooking for most of my week... We had one supper of beans, my son had leftover for lunches. We had one supper with barley stew and then again my son had leftover for lunches... I had unfrozen some soup and this was one other supper with fresh bread...  4th meal was a mix of leftover soup and beans.... and tonight we may have pasta...

The quinoa has been used up in salads for both my husband and I.... and Friday we had a sandwich...

There was no waste... we had healthy meals... everything was done from scratch and with TLC (tender loving care)...

It is that simple...  you just need to take 15-20 minutes one day a week to plan ahead and then you get use to your rotation for what needs to be frozen or not...

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!! And foward this post to people who may be interested!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
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My shopping rules

Hello my sweet friends!!!

Earlier this week I as giving tips to resist shopping....  either because you've join me in my resolution not to buy anything before November 13th... or because you have your own resolution...

Now, my tips seemed easy enough for me...  but remember I have been doing or trying to do this for a LONG time...  and you know what?  Sometimes it doesn't work.... and you know what?  That's OK!!!

We can't "succeed" all the time.... althus this word can be interpreted in so many ways...  Most people might think that if I am to buy something before that date I set for myself, I will have failed... but if you look at all the stuff I resisted buying.... I think it's a success...  either way! Every time I chose not to buy something because of that resolution it's a success!!!

All this to say that you have to be kind to yourself... This is a process... and continuous process... not a destination... and you know what?  Shit happens... and you may feel like buying yourself something... and even thus there might be better ways to deal with something in the long run, sometimes a quick fix is OK too!  There is no need to beat yourself up...  just keep going... at your own pace... be kind to yourself for every success and no-so-much-of-a-success... Acknowledge the good, bad and ugly and move on!  We learn as we go... and most importantly, you have to find what works for you!!  Awesome you!!  By learning to be forgiving, but honest with yourself (not finding excuses but acknowledging things for what they really are) you will tend toward your goal... On the other hand, if you "beat yourself up" all the time, you'll feel miserable.... and you'll buy stuff to feel better and you'll be back to square one in no time!  Give yourself a chance!!  A REAL one!!!

Now, all that said, I have told you the tricks I use not to buy stuff when I am doing a "shopping strike" 2-3 times a year... but what about the rest of the year?  Did I change my shopping habit?  Well at first I didn't...  until I realized that there was no point to not buy anything for 2 months if the following month I was to buy twice as much! And then felt bad about it... and punished myself...  So eventually I came up with "rules" or new habit for shopping... and this is what in the long run has help my decrease the amount of money spend in useless impulsive buys...

Here are MY rules... you have, once again, to figure out what works for you!

1) I do not buy anything if I can't pay for it right away - CREDIT CARDS do not count as right away!

2) I have a shopping list where essential items are listed.  This list currently features underwear, socks and a vitamix blender.

3) If something is not on my list, I have to think "is there anything I already own that looks like that? serve a similar purpose? or could do it?" if so... not buying...

4) If something is not on my shopping list, I can't buy it right when I see it - even if I have the money! I have got to wait at least 48hours!

5) If something is not on my list, I really love it but it really is not essential in my life but I have the $, I can buy if after 48h as long as something else goes out of my house...  The one-in/one-out rule.

6) If something is not on the list, not essential, and I don't really have the $ I have to wait 30 days and see... do I still want it?  If so, I should have come up with the $...

All this may seem complicated... in a few words, it translate to:  Is is essential? Do I own something similar? Do I have the money right now? I wait minimum 48h and then I see...

Fairly simple.... and it saves me so many impulse buy... and you know what, most of the times I forget about the item as soon as I get back home...  way before my 48 hours is over!!!

What about you?  Have you refined your shopping habit?   Do you have "rules" to help you out?  Please share with the rest of us... 

I am always happy to hear from you... do not hesitate to contact me!!!

Don't forget to check out my Facebook page.... or personal profile... connect with me on twitter or google +...

love&peace,
nath
xox
www.thissavvylife.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=734016786
http://www.facebook.com/FanofLifeHappens
https://twitter.com/NathalieBriseb1
http://www.pinterest.com/briseboisnathal/boards/
http://instagram.com/nbrisebois?ref=badge