The turtle moves.... slowly

astrocytic_kitten

Thank you SH!

I haven’t really had much to share since the grand return but I’ve been lurking religiously on other diaries (and not commenting, don’t seem to have much to say at all). But I’m feeling a bit rubbish tonight - trying a new med that is leaving me really nauseous at times (should hopefully pass once the adjustment period is over), and none of my normal nausea tricks are helping. Even opening the packet of biscuits I’d been saving for visitors hasn’t made a dent!  

So anyway, I’ve been scrolling shopping sites on my phone while lying in bed feeling sorry for myself and thought maybe checking in here was a better idea. The shopping floodgates have opened because I’ve started Christmas shopping and figuring out what to buy people (yes it’s early but I work in slow time these days)… and from there it’s a hop, skip and jump to shopping for me instead 😂

I’ve already accounted for all of my spare pennies from next month before the month has even started so while I haven’t been on a shopping binge like I used to, it’s definitely time to stop. It’s not even massively exciting shopping I’ve been doing for me, just things like extra warm socks. But I’m trying to get to the end of the year without dipping into savings even though I’ve got a few extra things to pay for so I really should have held off the ordering stuff. Just like I shouldn’t have added the gigantic galaxy bar to my online shop for myself.

astrocytic_kitten

Actually, while I’m in confessional mode, I’ve also been spending a lot of time on a certain well known ceramicist’s website looking at beautiful mugs, and some half price spooky mugs, even though the mug shelf in my cupboard is so full that the door will only close if everything is stacked in a very particular way that only I can do. And that’s after I had a big clear out when moving house and only kept mugs I loved. And I live alone and probably have 3 times as many mugs as the maximum number of visitors I’ve ever had in the flat. 

redofromstart

I always admire the pretty mugs but, same as you, have many more than I use and I don't want a display.

i always end up buying stress jumpers. 

astrocytic_kitten

Stress jumpers are always an excellent choice Redo. I’ve convinced myself I don’t need more for now (helped my nothing else fitting into the jumper drawer) but we’ll see how long that lasts.

savingholmes

For me it's craft supplies that seem to want to take over my home but at least I actively use them... 

astrocytic_kitten

Using them is good! Craft is important. I used to always want a sewing room I could close the door on so I could leave project halfway through without risking cats getting into it and swallowing threads or pins or just messing things up. Though current cats take any closed door as a personal affront so not sure how that would work. 

I’m currently avoiding buying a very lovely wool blanket on sale. I already have more blankets than a single person needs. The cats already have more of my blankets than they need. I redid the budget a few months ago to put more in savings and less to fritter and I’m definitely feeling it. I’m in no way depriving myself in any real sense of the word, I still have more than I’d like going to little luxuries and nice things. I just can’t buy everything that crosses my path. 

Though I was thinking about the blanket again today when this disappointing affirmation popped up on my feed, and it’s definitely helped 😆 (can’t figure out if it’s possible to paste image sadly) https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9TG_ox6qo/

redofromstart

Oh that is perfect - made me laugh

savingholmes

That made me laugh too!!

LadyWithAPlan

Hope you are managing to keep away from the mugs and the blankets - so easy to spend for ourselves this time of year whilst we looking for others..

astrocytic_kitten

Hi LWAP, that's exactly it - looking at lovely things for others just makes me want them for myself. But I can confirm that no mugs or blankets (or other woollies) have been bought!! Very unusual, but helped along by the running list of things I've bought myself this year which shows I have no need of yet another little treat. 

I've been trying to focus on the nice things I already have, like the mug by a local maker that is the perfect shape and weight to make cups of tea a comforting sensory experience. It works about 40% of the time - the other 60% I decide I want the same one in a different colour. Or a whole set. But I'm trying. It also helps that the last of the big spending on work to the flat is coming up shortly so I'm aware how much I'll be paying for that.

I do feel the need to tell everyone that I really want to try out Patrick Grant's company and see if it's true that their wool jumpers are as good as designer ones 4x the price. They use British wool and are spun and made in the UK so tick all the ethical boxes. But my jumper drawer is overflowing and I don't think I can squash a single extra one in. Also I've spent a very considerable amount of money this year and had a lot of upheaval specifically aimed at making my home warmer, so hopefully won't need as many layers of woollies this winter...

I'm getting through the Christmas shopping quite well, only have a couple of people left to buy for where I have absolutely zero idea what to get, But now I've got most of the buying done there's lots of time left to ponder what to get without feeling stressed by the weight of everything else I need to do.