The new black

I think I should have more rice in the cupboard. Chickpeas and lentils too. I'm not overly keen on cooking them, and only so-so about eating them. But it seems like the right thing top do - pare it back a bit.

It's my new challenge: to do more with less.

I've always been quite 'more' focused, but the clutter's unbearable. So 'less' is the new black.

I've trimmed the excesses - the two-car household is now one, the designer clothes rack is halved, and the credit cards slashed. If it sounds drastic, a fad gone too far, then ditching the corporate job should put it all in perspective.

I still work, because well, I live outside a convent so needs must. Besides, the sameness of days without meaningful employ is just a little too mind-bending.

Having just reconciled my cashbook, I'm both proud and aghast to see that I made one-fifth of my previous salary. What astounds me is that for the past eighteen months my self-imposed budgetary constraints have limited me in very few ways that actually matter. The sky didn't fall.

Having done 'more' and now 'less', here's what I miss from the 'mores': buying new books, magazines and CDs/DVDs, eating out, movies, several coffees a day. Okay, and clothes and shoes and the odd pamper at the day spa.

I still do these things, just not nearly as much - about one-fifth as much, in fact.

There is a disclaimer: I am enabled, supported and generally 'cheered on' in this endeavour. My sacrifice is actually 'our' sacrifice.

The upside is that instead of trying to do everything, we're doing something better.