NST January 2024: This is Sparta!

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NST January 2024: This is Sparta!

Welcome to 2024! And another NST challenge.

It doesn’t seem that long ago that we were celebrating the Millenium and all that Y2K nonsense! If the last 23 years have flown by, then so will this one. And we don’t want it to slip through our fingers like water, do we?

Why ‘This is Sparta!’? (ooph, that was a lot of punctuation) Well, I’d no ideas for things beginning with a J and I was pondering what I want from a new month. You see, that’s the great thing about these NST (Ninja Saving Turtles) challenges – you get a fresh one each and every month. Ninjasavingkat (aka NSK) started them when she went total ninja to pay off about £16000 of debt in 10 or 12 months. Which she achieved. Then she saved to travel. Which she achieved. Then she went off travelling and grandmanerd (who was then mothernerd) named us and we continued with the challenges.

Coming back out of that rabbit hole, I’ll try to answer my question: I like the concept of what 'Spartan' means to me, even though I am far from it! Many of us wish to have less clutter in our lives and more simplicity. We wish to know what our income and outcome are doing. We wish to pay down debts and live within our means so that we thrive and enjoy our lives. Thus, the word spartan came to mind. Goggle (deliberate typo) tells me that ‘A spartan lifestyle or existence is very simple or strict, with no luxuries.’ And that the original Spartan people had three values: For the ancient Spartans, character, honor, and virtue, were paramount. They didn't trust philosophers or intellectuals, believing that wisdom should be displayed through your actions, and the way you live your life.

They also had fun: One form of entertainment that Spartans enjoyed was music and dance. Sparta was also known for its poetry and its pottery.

And the line This is Sparta! is referencing a famous line from the movie "300," where King Leonidas of Sparta shouts "This is Sparta!" before kicking an enemy messenger into a well. The phrase ... is often used humorously or to express determination and strength. And that is us turtles – we laugh, we are determined and we have strength,

 

T The rule of 1. One extra veg in a meal. One minute per day for a week cleaning or tidying or generally working to improve an area of the house that bugs you. One thing every single day that makes you happy. One less biscuit with a cuppa. One item per day out of the house. One extra payment towards your debt/savings. You get the gist...

H Happiness. Don’t be so busy pleasing (or trying to please) other people that you neglect your own happiness and joyfulness (no J in Sparta!) How’s your mental health? Some people just adore the darkness of winter (looking at you, f0xh0les), others need sunlight to survive. Know who you are and take vit D!

I Improve your surroundings. Be a clutter fairy and set about re-imagining your space. If you move house you have to work out where all your furniture fits in the new space. By doing something similar without moving, playing with layouts and paying attention to things that don't quite work, you might end up with a whole new house just using what you have. And remove what just gets in the way.

S Stick to your guns and be true to yourself. It is ok to say NO to people who want you to agree to things that they want you to do. Even your boss! Choose to do what makes your life fulfilled.

 

I Independent thought: how much do you do things automatically? This can be a good thing when it is good habits. However, the opposite is also true – it is so easy to let things slide, to do things without thinking too much. Stop and think a little about things this month. The aim is not to list all the areas where you 'fail', it's a time to rejoice in the good things that you do.

S Sixteen. 16 NSDs please. It was going to be 15 but there’s no F in Sparta! Remember that  buying only reduced items, or paying for travel or medical items, keeps your NSD.

 

S Space. The final frontier. Do you feel you have enough space in your home to thrive? Enough emotional space to fulfil all the caring tasks you have? Enough space in your day to keep physically well? Enough time to eat well?

P Ponder. Plan some time to ponder and recall favourite things that you used to love doing, but no longer do. Were they ‘of their time’ and best just to leave as happy memories? Or are they things that improve your personal well-being and might be worth taking up again?

Acknowledge what you owe – mortgage, debt, borrowings from friends. Check the interest rates and your repayment schedule. Are you happy to let it all tick along, or are you actively trying to get rid of it quicker?

R Refuse; reduce; reuse; repurpose; recycle; remove – you get it! Question everything you bring in to the house this month. And take some time to reflect on last year. Here’s are some suggestions from grandmanerd a few years ago:

Reflect on the Year
-What went well this year?
-What did not go well?
-What do I want to do the same next year?
-What do I want to do differently?
-When did I feel most alive?
-When did I feel most exhausted and drained?
-What did I say 'yes' to that I wish I'd said 'no' to?
-What did I say 'no' to that I wished I'd said 'yes' to?

T Twenty four in 2024. Don’t set 24 resolutions; instead think about 24 things you would like to accomplish, finish, do during the year.

A Activity. The Spartans were a fit lot! They got that way via a rather horrendous schedule, starting aged 7. So we’ve probably all missed that boat. However, all is not lost. Look honestly at your level of activity and mobility and flexibility. You don’t need to join the hordes who will be signing up at the gym, but do aim to increase and improve from where you are now. (I had 2 weeks of shingles sandwiched between two kidney infections to end the year, so was popping antibiotics and antivirals for 4 weeks. It is baby steps for me, as I have lost so much of my fitness 'ability')

 

The non-negotiables:

This is a month-long challenge from the 1st to the 31st Jan.

Pop online as often as you can and let us know how your day went. This will also help to keep you accountable.

At the end of the day, choose three (or more) things you are grateful for from that day and let us know them.

Who will join me for a rousing shout of 'This is Sparta!'?

apple_muncher

January Spartans:

1 apple_muncher

2 Scott_Chegg_

3 DawnW

4 FrugalAspirations

5 ladybird1106

6 Toni'sfriend

7 craftingmad

8 weenancyinAmerica

9 grandmanerd

10 leftatthetrafficlights

11 laura_lau

12 Esmeralda2662

13 DrCarrie

14 Flying_By

15 ditty1234

16 cybertortoise

17 ldee2111

18 doily94

19 Thrifty_Taylor

20 Crazycatlady2

21 beanielou

22 abundant1972

23 Starlight_at_Sea

55 f0xh0les (aka Spartancus!)

Scott_Chegg_

Hi. I would like to join if can. Plenty going on in January that could, end itself to this. Thank you 

DawnW

Yes please @apple_muncher

FrugalAspirations

Sure, why not – I'm in!

ladybird1106

Me too
Love 🐞

Toni'sfriend

Last year (as my regular Turtle friends will know) was a real roller coaster for me. So pick yourself up, dust yourself down and start all over again. Count me in, please, Apple. I love the challenge. I can do this!!!!

craftingmad

2024 is the year I will finally complete a full month so count me in please

weenancyinAmerica

I'd like to join in also. Maybe this might be a better year - if I can ignore politics completely. I am trying to finish writing a book, but have no space to spread out to work on it. This year I want desk space and to visit our local library more so I can write there. So writing will be my main goal, followed by decluttering, then paying off debts (which will be helped by selling a lot of what I am decluttering), while continuing to work on the Library book sales and avoiding doing in my roommates (who can be very frustrating at times). 

grandmanerd

I'm in apple please

leftatthetrafficlights

I'm in!!  😁