THERE'S a lot to be said for moderation: it's a much under-rated concept in my book.

Granted, that's a phrase I didn't think I'd ever hear myself utter. My teenage self would be shaking her head in disgust (then again, she wouldn't have been much taken with my recently discovered penchant for slankets or non-slip bath mats either, although that's another story).

But for far too long I've given moderation a bad rap, filed away under "lame" and "wouldn't be caught dead" alongside those who iron their pants (or use an iron full stop) and buy creepy doll figurines from QVC (Why? Seriously, why?).

Lately, though, I've been coming around to the notion of moderation. Previously I seemed to exist in one of only two modes: full-on and fatigued. I've always put this down to an all-or-nothing attitude, but recently had an epiphany: I simply didn't know when to stop.

Turns out I'm not alone. Apparently there's a growing backlash to our energy-sapping, 24/7, techy-orientated lifestyles. There's a trendy name for it: Lo-Fi – and it's all the rage for 2013, even Kate Moss (the former queen of excess) is rumoured to be giving it a whirl.

Many coffee shops in the US are using "no wi-fi" as a selling point, while a canny designer has created an egg-timer which blocks access to sites such as Facebook and Twitter for a pre-designated time limit. Moderation is the perfect antidote to modern day information overload. Which is why it's my new BFF (best friend forever).

Instead of pushing myself to the point of burnout attempting to tick every box, I pick and choose. It feels liberating. In this post-indulgent, frugal month of January it comes in handy. I'm not a stir-crazy prisoner in my own home, rather simply choosing moderation. Well, that's the theory ...