$pent Millennial

One way I save money every month is by not paying for Spotify Premium. This isn’t a flex. In fact, it is probably a symptom of a long-held money story that could use re-examining. But this isn’t a post about that- although that might be to come. We will see. 

I bring it up because one of the many obnoxious ads I hear due to my unwillingness to pay $9.99/ month is a Peloton ad. And look, if I don’t pay $9.99/ month to enjoy my Spotify ad-free, I am not sure what makes them think I am a target market for a Peloton, but that isn’t the point either. The ad has a catchy tagline, slogan, whatever that says “Something is everything” and states within the ad that “The hardest step is going from nothing to something”- or something like that. And that resonates. 

I share this today because I am about to make the move from nothing to something on a project I have been promising my boyfriend since before Christmas. When we moved to our apartment he brought with him a desktop computer he has been hauling with us since we first moved in together 5 or so years ago. And… I put it in our bedroom closet. 

Don’t look at me like that. It is plugged in and functioning…mostly. But, if he wants to use it he does have to move my laundry out and bring in a chair and hunch under my clothes.

Now, he doesn’t work from home or have daily computer work, but he does like to use it occasionally for professional development, etc. I tell him he can use one of my laptops, but he usually prefers his desktop. 

Since we are not moving to a bigger apartment with office space and are not planning to buy a home for a while, it is time I make good on my promise to set him up better in the small space we have.

And so, this post is my accountability post stating that I will start. Not tomorrow, or next week or when I get around to it. I will start today. 

But Peloton is right. Starting is hard. It is uncertain. It takes effort, physical and mental. The excuses come easy. We have all been there, right? 

• What if I start and don’t finish? 
• This is going to cost money. I will need a shelf, a basket, and other stuff I haven’t even listed out yet… 
• I can’t do it all in one day. It is going to be a mess! 
• What will the in-between look like? How will it feel? 
• I’m tired. 
• I already had a big day yesterday. I’ll just commit to next week… 

These are the thoughts that have been plaguing me and holding me back since…probably last Spring when the idea first bloomed in my mind as I watched him hunched over in our cramped and cluttered closet. 

But today, I commit to beginning. 

Steps I will take today- 

1. List out the steps I need to do
2. Brainstorm the design. What will the closet and rest of the room look like once it is completed? 
3. Inventory list- What will I need to implement it?
   1. What do I have
   2. What more do I need

Steps I will take this week-

1. Browse for “solution-pieces”. The shelves, baskets, etc. that I will need to complete and implement the design.
   1. I will keep my eyes open when people discard things on the side of the road/ dumpsters- I am a BIG dumpster diver for upcycling. Someone else’s trash… 
   2. Thrift stores. Also a big thrifter 
   3. Target and shops to price around for anything I cannot find elsewhere. 
2. Begin the decluttering. I will find and do away with things in our room that are taking up space and need to be discarded.
   1. I will trash or donate what no longer serves me. Donating will create some good karma as I search for my own treasures others have donated- gotta love Spring cleaning season! 

Steps I will take this month-

1. I will state my intentions and commitments in this blog post.
   1. Who doesn’t love an easy check on their To Do list? 
2. Within the next 30 days, I will share an update either here or on socials (@spentmillennial on Instagram) to show how I have done in keeping my commitments. 

Ahhh! There it is, my commitment. Now posted for all to see. I guess I better get started! 

What do you need to start? What will it take for you to commit? Comment below to join the accountability community. And don’t be shy about holding me accountable. Ask for updates on my own progress. My boyfriend deserves it!