use what i have

I think I have acheived what I wanted to from this goal – not to keep buying more things until I have used what I already have.

I haven’t bought shower gel for months as I’ve had loads of the mini samples/travel bottles to use. I’m fairly good now at raiding all my baskets of bits and bobs before buying new.

I’ve also been through the fridge and cupboards to use up everything before going shopping.

Job done.

...turned into hummous (sp?) and babyfood. Yay. Need to use up the soups soon or they’ll sit in my cupboard all summer.

Working on the mini shower gels.

Planning some art projects with Jimmers to use up some of the many things I’ve collected for makey doey days.

...of conditioner all used up!

Currently finishing off my favourite perfume. I’ve got about four different ones on the go.

Was really tempted to buy some canvas’ today but I resisted as I have lots of other art materials to use first.

Now I have a sewing machine I can hopefully start doing something with all my saved pieces of fabric now!

Also I’m planning on soaking the chickpeas that have been loitering in the cupboard too long and maybe making some hummous.

...until I have used what I have:

• Shampoo/conditioner
• Bubble bath (I rarely have bubble baths)
• Body lotion (time to use it would be good)
• Perfume
• Styling products
• Tinned food
• Dried food
• Frozen food
• Art supplies
• Stationary

This goal interlinks with other goals (de-cluttering) & previous goals (reducing my environmental footprint). I am fed up of having stuff around the house that doesn’t get used up!!

I want to use what I have to:
-save money
-spend time constructively instead of shopping for more tat
-find out what I really use, and give away all of the stuff I don’t need
-learn to enjoy the present by doing instead of making unfulfilled promises to myself, the reminders of which lay all around me in the form of unopened art supplies, an unused bike and fitness DVD, pristine language books, mysterious software and a languishing, Spanish guitar that someone gave to me… and that’s only the living room. Romantic devices, cookie cutters, cake decorations, pretty crockery, jewellery, body lotions… You get the idea.

If I had used all the things I have bought over the last three years I would have good foundations in watercolours, oils and acrylics, Japanese ink painting, classic guitar, Japanese, a flexible, toned body and I’d be a great cake maker, bringing joy to colleagues and friends with every glimpse of a tupperware container.