Simplifying Life - Mark II

ginnyknit

Sorry I mentioned the Amish as I find them interesting. I realise Quackers are very different , I just have a thirst for knowledge on all kinds of things. Interesting thread though guys

MessyMare

I aspire to lead a sort of Buddhist inspired life I suppose...which could also be viewed as quite MS in it's purest form...however I aspire to this more for my mental and emotional wellbeing..one day I'd just like to be able to let go, and be happy in that letting go.

lostinrates

I too have had a long interest in ''plain'' living and taking joy from simple things...

but....the reference to the Amish....its a wonderful idea, and sometimes I think would be ideal...but its not. They have troubles too...people are frail and have faults. Some of my American friends report there to be some ''very poor animal welfare'' particularly with horses and horse breeding. And of course there is the way ranks can be closed when people want to learn more outside the community.

I'm not trying to knock them, I think they are a fascinating people and I envy A LOT about the way they live, but nothing is perfect.

Of course, we couldn;t build homes and low impact foods for our communities in the same way here because of space and not least planning laws! But with it would come sacrifices. And in a more densly populated area then they'd come more quickly if we were all having such large families. For those of us who aren't lucky enough to have family living around us, eschewing some forms of modern life would also be excluding our family...e.g. dh, whose siblings and father all live in another country. I think he and I are just too ''ruined'' by a travelling upbringing and a thirst to learn more about things that challenge us to accept happily this life which part of me craves. Our life quite extremely at either end of the scale I think!


Quakers are, IME very open and kind people. I lived near a A Quaker meeting house in London and often wanted to go in to see if it were the right fit for me, and regret now I didn't.

u751904

ginnyknit wrote: »

Sorry I mentioned the Amish as I find them interesting. I realise Quackers are very different , I just have a thirst for knowledge on all kinds of things. Interesting thread though guys

no need to appologise...:) actually I think I mentioned them !

Pink.

u751904 wrote: »

my family in past generations worked for cadbury's so I am in fact reviving the quaker tradition. I have to say mentioning amish and quaker in the same thread may make folk think they are similar I don't think so at all. In fact some (quakers) won't really call quakerism a religion. Anyhow my point really which I think is taken is that it is the simplicity of life which some groups adopt which I think is interesting. What tips can we learn and benefits etc.

Hi u751904,

As your thread has dropped down the Old Style board and You've stated that you want to discuss simplicity of life rather than religious practices I've added it to the current Old Style Simplifying life thread where you should find lots of advice. If you look in the first post you'll find a link to the previous thread on this topic.

If I've read it wrongly and you do want to discuss religious practices then the best place to do that is the Discussion Time forum. If that's the case, let me know and I'll move the thread over there.

Pink

sharloid

ginnyknit wrote: »

I realise Quackers are very different

Quackers? :rotfl:

Rummer

I have been feeling over whelmed with things recently and I am using a lot of info on these boards to help simplify things. At the moment I am tidying things and then I am going to have a good clear out so that I only have things in the house that I need or love.

Also gone back to ordering my shopping online to remove the stress of shopping and being tempted by other things.

Been learning how to sew/knit/crochet so that I can make things for myself and the family as well as keeping myself relaxed and productive.

Doing the garden has given us food and helped me relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

[Deleted User]

Rummer wrote: »

I have been feeling over whelmed with things recently and I am using a lot of info on these boards to help simplify things. At the moment I am tidying things and then I am going to have a good clear out so that I only have things in the house that I need or love.

Also gone back to ordering my shopping online to remove the stress of shopping and being tempted by other things.

Been learning how to sew/knit/crochet so that I can make things for myself and the family as well as keeping myself relaxed and productive.

Doing the garden has given us food and helped me relax and enjoy the great outdoors.

Good for you rummer, I have been doing the same, clearing the clutter, both from my home and mind. Its not a quick process but I'm getting there and already reaping the rewards, less mess in the house, less stress and a satisfaction that as you say, I only have things in my home that I need or love.

I too have learned to sew and it has helped greatly in relaxing me, previously i was unable to sit still for more than 20mins before feeling the need to go and potter. Now that my quilt is coming along and I have the motivation of completing it for winter I am sitting and sewing for far longer and feel much more chilled.

Keep up the good work and let us know how your doing and hopefully I can pick up some tips form you. All the best

Rummer

What a lovely post Lillykins thank you!

[Deleted User]

Busy, busy week- where does the time go, need my life simplifying now!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes I am making great strides in living a plainer, simplier life but still never seems to be enough hours in the day. I long for the time when I can just 'sit'. Still feel as if I am chasing my tail.

Know I am in this for the long haul and cant change things overnight (I've always been impatient- thats half the problem). I just long to enjoy the simple things like walking the dogs, instead my mind goes nineteen to the dozen with 'to do' lists. A friend has suggested mindfullness, a principle used in budhism I think (another thing I need to look into).

Sorry for sounding so negative, I know I have come a long way and that life can be busy, need to chill out.

Would love to hear any tips/suggestions????? Thank you