Need a Crock Pot? What about a juice extractor, popcorn maker, slightly broken blender? Size 8? Need a few shirts n’ skirts? My friends are nervous. Why the cull? You are coming back aren’t you?

I confess. A christmas read – Gretchen Ruben’s ‘The Happiness Project’ – started this. Gretchen documented her strategy to improve her already satisfying life with a new concept per month. Her mission for January – to ‘Boost Energy’. How? Go to sleep earlier; exercise better; toss, restore and organise…now that I could do. Added it to the 2013 Resolution list along with ‘spend less’, ‘give more’.

Which led me to another read – ‘Miss Minimalist – Inspiration to Downsize, De-clutter and Simplify’ by Francine Jay, this author’s intent being to inform us of just how much stuff we really don’t need cluttering our nests.

Minimalist indeed! According to Francine I could live without that TV, therefore wouldn’t need the console it sits on and heck, since we no longer watch a telly, why clutter the room with a lounge suite when two chairs would do – seriously? Did glean many excellent nuggets though, the basic premise being – if you rarely use it, get rid of it. A fabulous de-clutter exercise, count me in and add that to the list, along with ‘be charitable’, ‘give generously’.

Which led to the sabbatical plan requiring I pack and store everything except the basics my prospective tenants would expect from a fully furnished lease. Pack all that stuff then unpack it all again in 6 months? No, just the clothing items that fit and flatter, the electricals that have earned their keep, the signature items that make my abode my home, my haven, my nest.

Colleagues, friends and family…if you would use or wear it, it’s yours. Charities…stand by. Oh! And would someone please claim that damn fondue set?

My beloved friends, I am coming back…to clean lines, clutter free cupboards and elegant, minimalist living. Wonderful things those resolutions! Thank you for caring.

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