Already 14 days into January and I am still putting off the "resolutions".

Posted on 15 Jan 08, by Louise Butcher

IF the council gave us better bins I would recycle more... IF supermarkets didn't provide plastic bags I would HAVE to remember my own bags... IF public transport was cheaper I wouldn't use the car as much... IF the council cleaned the cycle path quicker after a flood I would cycle more (outrageous! I could just use the road!) and so it goes on - it's always somebody else's fault that I don't do what I should.

So what is really hard? The dishwasher issue is still a problem - I have NOT relented - we are still washing up by hand (AND being much more efficient with hot water). The family is still not convinced that this is a great family "social activity", which rather spoils the social activity when they spend the whole time moaning that if we had a dishwasher things would be so much better. Also difficult is the car, I am determined to sell a car but they are all constantly finding a reason why we shouldn't. They now say "we WILL sell it in a couple weeks" but they say that EVERY couple of weeks! I have also got out of the habit of using my bike during the winter - TOTALLY my fault - I must get back into the habit! I am still not composting - maybe when the summer comes? I am ALWAYS forgetting my shopping bags and ending up with loads more plastic bags!

What is proving quite easy? I think the electricity saving is much better. Once we got the low energy lamps in that has just looked after itself. I AM using trains much more - especially as there have been quite a few really good "deals" recently! I am going to Paris at Easter (doing the Paris Marathon!!!AAgghhh!!) - the new Eurostar link is BRILLIANT. Rcycling is generally going well .

What new ideas do I have?? The best one came from an article I read in the paper. One family vowed not to buy anything new for a year (apart from food and essential cleaning and household items). I thought this was BRILLIANT! All three children are now away and it seems like a good time to commit to something like this. We DO have FAR too much "stuff" and I know that we could make do for quite a while without buying anything new. I haven't decided how long for - I'm not sure that I am brave enough to do a year - maybe two months would be a good start. My husband likes the idea - of course - it saves money! I have already registered with a local freecycle group and I think I will set myself a date - in fact I will do this NOW! Here goes - two months from TODAY (14th January until 14th March)! I will let you know how it goes!

Oh dear what have I done now? There are sure to be problems!