Tuesday 29 March 2016

When I decide to kill my library


I love books. I love the smell of books. Even since I could read, I've wanted to read as much as I can from textbooks, library book and of course the Harry Potter series, Twilight series, The Hunger Game series which costed me nights to crave them all.

I was sensible enough to sell the series because I knew that I won't be able to finish them. Other than these popular youth novels, I also love Classics. Charles Dickens, Jane Austen! I have purchased most of their books when they are on sale during the annual book fair and just to hope that ONE DAY I could read them when I have time. Yes, and after all, one day did become a time I have never be able to spare. Books remained on my shelf and turned yellow-ish.

In this minimalism journey (still getting there), I have decided to sell them. I joined Facebook groups which allow me to ensure they go to another book lovers home, and I will give away those which do not sell to a second-hand book store.

Goodbye to my English classics, modern novels, self-help books. I have just killed my library. Since there will not be much space at my new home, I have got myself a kindle paperwhite. At first, it feels different, but since I have never been a book scribbling person, the kindle is just like a lighter form of books which I can carry it everywhere!

Ask yourself:
The books you are about to purchase- Do you really need this book? Are you really going to read it? Do you feel like reading it tonight?

The books on your shelf- Why did you get it? Have you read it? Do you see yourself reading it any time soon like this week?

Second-hand store is always around the corner. Donate and pass your books on to someone who will find value in them.

Thursday 24 March 2016

Bring minimalism to work

Today is the day before Easter holiday. It is also the day I choose to minimise my work desk, so I can embrace my clean desk for my return.
First, I have decided to file important documents. (Yes! Procrastination. I should have done that 4 months ago). All the other papers inside the folders have also been read through for me to decide whether they need to be kept. Bin it/ Recycle used paper/ Reuse one-side used A4 papers for the not-so-important documents. It would be great if we do not need to print at all, but we all know that sometimes we just have to...

Its a pride to work in an organisation with recycling mindset. Just imagine your colleagues not recycling a thick report and bin it instead. DISASTER!

Other than that, I have also taken out all the stationary and the essentials remain. One blue pen, one black pen, one pencil, one rubber, one ruler, one white tape and one stapler.

It's too good to be true that my desk looks fresh and clean!

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Sentimental items

Tackling bits by bits.
Sentimental items are the last thing you should farewell. I have hobbies of letter posting for regular contact and cards for seasonal greetings. I am allowing myself keeping things in one box. If it grows out of it, then I am not keeping it.

First, I am going to deal with my cards. There are all sorts of cards I received, ranging from Birthday card to wedding invites. From year 1 to now. Just imagine the number of cards you revived since you are a child.

Since I have already done a clear out once a year ago, my items are really that much. If this is the first time you are decluttering, I believe your situation looks a lot worse than this.

Minimalising the amount of sentimental items is much harder than I think. I have received a lot of heart warming message from my closed friends ( at that time). Especially the DIY cards are hard to say goodbye to. 


 Though I am only keeping less than 20 of them at last and I will review them in a later time. I think Mininalism is a process which it takes you to review and rethink every items you have. You do not have to just go into a place and throw everything away. Especially the sentimental pile, it makes you understand what yourself have treasured.

In my box I have lots of things such as photographs (which aren't scanned), letters. I am going to try to deal with them in a separate time. Don't rush it through. Enjoy your moment!

Thursday 3 March 2016

Packing party shoes

The beauty of the packing party is the review the number of items you truly have. I have one pair of feet but I have 17 pairs of shoes, 18 including the fluffy and warm winter slippers. 


What I did was, throw away 3 pairs torn or don't fit. Keep those 11 pairs that I wear regularly, and I mean regularly. I am giving away 4 pairs which are in good condition.

I m sure yours is worse. I know you want to do a shoe clean out as well. Do you really love every pair of your shoes?

Sunday 14 February 2016

Episode Food: Would you go organic?

There are several things became quite popular recently in Hong Kong, including whether to go organic or not. If you are live here, you got two options to get fresh food here. One, go to the super market and purchase some nicely packed veg with transparent plastic bag; two, go to the super wet market and purchase whichever veg that appears to be more handsome to you, pick that.

I had a discussion with my parents once about this trend of organic products. Given most of advantages are getting healthier (quite hard to measure), dispose the use of pesticide (how do you know); they have both believed that having organic food and illness are not related. There isn't much room for discussion when there are no evidences or first hand experience.

Coincidently, I came across with this video with the shocking data.


Let's go organic from today!
There are several farm which provide fresh vegetables or other organic products.
Support local farmers, reduce your carbon footprints!

For foreigners in Hong Kong, you may order it from these websites.
Language in English and Chinese:

Eat FRESH
http://eatfresh.com.hk/index.php/shop.html

NH-Logo-for-Web 330x120px new
http://www.naturesharvest.com.hk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33&Itemid=90&lang=en


http://www.happyfamilies.hk/EN/HKD/home.html

Language in Chinese only:


http://organicfarm.hkfyg.org.hk/page.aspx?corpname=organicfarm&i=1721



http://yuwing.com/



http://organetmall.com/


http://www.fruitfulorganicfarm.com/order.php

Even available on apps:
 (By the Government)
https://itunes.apple.com/hk/app/VMO%20Local%20Veggie%20Fresh/id781295872?mt=8&l=zh



https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/ou-luo-you-ji-nong-chang/id543140019?ls=1&mt=8

Sunday 7 February 2016

My accessories

Girls love accessories. They add a little colour to your outfit whether they are necklaces, earrings, bracelets etc.I always get these little accessories that I found cute, especially when they are so cheap from online shops. On my first day of Packing Party, I have placed every single piece of accessories into this container. Even though I review my items very often before the Packing Party, I still think there are too much.

These are the accessories that I am not keeping. Laid them out and say goodbye to them.

And I kept 1 ring, 2 bracelets, 5 necklaces, 6 pairs of earrings. And the rest goes into the tiny plastic bag.


At last I have managed to place them beautifully on my shelf. Bracelets on the perfume bottle, necklaces hanging on this bike decoration and earrings inside this sourvenir I bought from Barcelona.

Accessories rule: One item in, one item out.

Afterword:
I feel great for not digging into the box and find a pair.

Tuesday 2 February 2016

Packing Party: One week updates

A week since my packing party.
I did not really pull out anything from my bags and boxes. There are only three coats I have pull out to wear so far. I guess the rest of the coats will go to the donate pile.

There is the popular mindset of not being wasteful.
We keep having the trendy fashion items into our wardrobe, though we have never really thrown anything away. I have this old lounge wear bottom which used to be my sports wear back in secondary school. It's baggy, it's comfy, it's looking old, its colour is fading. I never wear it when someone visit our home. Most importantly, it did not "spark joy". (Marie Kondo's law)
Therefore, I cut it into small cloth and use it as cleaning towel.

We deserve to look equally fabulous when we go out and at home.
Lets start by not wearing the unwanted pieces as lounge wear.