Simplifying Life - Mark II

[Deleted User]

Although I am retired, and sadly widowed now these past nine and a half years I seemed to be almost as busy as I was when I worked full time.But what slowed me down in 2007 was being diagnosed with breast cancer.
A serious illness suddenly makes you realise not only your own mortality, but all the things you think 'you have time for' you realise, maybe you may not
I am still a busy person as I am full time carer for four of my grandsons whilst their Mum and Dad work so before and after school I am usually tied up with the boys aged between 8-17.But I also have such a lot of fun with them, and only tonight I was talking to their Mum and she was saying how when she was in her early teens I was always working and sometimes she only saw me in passing .
The boys see me daily during the week, and we do all sorts of things during their school holidays that I never had the time to do with my own DDs at that age.So I do enjoy every day of my life and every morning I wake up and think 'Yes I have beaten the grim reaper for another day'
Come the end of May, in a few months time I shall see my consultant and fingers crossed I will be discharged as cured of this dreadful discease.I am luckier than some of the folk I was in hospital with as I am one of the survivors.Life is good, and I treasure every day of it.So although I am busy I can also take time to stop and smell the roses and enjoy having the ability to find pleasure in something as good as just seeing the bulbs pushing up in the pots in my garden (even though its cold today )
I may be a bit lop-sided (right mastectomy) and my right arm will never work as well as it did owing to lymphodema but life is so good, and I never ever think I will put off until another time something that I want to do.I cuddle my seven grandchildren all the time and speak to my DDs daily and never ever take things for granted any more

storytime

Well done Cheapskate you have made the right decision. Children grow up so quickly and it is wonderful to be around to watch them grow up. There are loads of ideas on these forums and other blogs to help you save money to cover the shortfall in your income.All the hassle of childcare, covering school holidays, teacher training days and school closures will be a thing of the past. So much simpler.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

TimeforTea wrote: »

Simply Life..... I wish.

I`d love to slow down and stake stock but everytime i try to do that then some other thing happens and back i am sorting and running around like a headless chicken.

I want a simple life....pleaseeeee

What sort of thing?

abailey54

I don't come on OS very often but wanted to thank you for an interesting thread.

I've just been off sick for 'stress' at work (I've suffered depression and anxiety for a while for various reasons so it's not just work), my job used to be a simple 9-5 and one of those that you walk out the door and instantly forget everything about it (I was so lucky!) but things have changed dramatically in the last few years and I find myself stressing about work when I'm not there, having long discussions with DH about it etc. It's really caused me to look more closely at what I want from life. I find it difficult being the 'primary' wage earner (though I don't earn loads) for e.g. when I got my last promotion dh dropped his shifts and has at least 3/4 days off a week, but to drop a day for me would mean a bigger financial loss.

I'm really starting to consider whether I'd prefer a lower paid job or doing less hours - I already like doing cheap hobbies like growing veg, which you can do for free if you set your mind to it (and then I spend money on unhealthy stress relievers). But then I find the idea of going backwards very scarey, plus DH would have to make sacrifices based on my decision - it feels like I would be being selfish. I don't know what I'll do but I like hearing from other people who live the simple (good?) life and make it work

Rowan9

Hi - such a good thread and great posts.
I'm off to bed now but will pop back in here tomorrow. In the meantime, there is one old 'simplifying' thread - maybe 2 - if anyone wants to read about ideas for simplifying and also people's ideas of simplifying. I used to post on them a few years ago. One of these days I WILL learn to find and paste old thread titles here. Someone else may be able to help in the meantime.
W
ed to add - I downsized career and house size and am very happy. But...this is just me and my feelings on simplifying and others have different views

Ilona

When I was in my early fifties I was getting fed up of working long hours, and wasn't enjoying the job any more. Then I had a light bulb moment, if I didn't spend any money, I didn't have to earn it. I went onto part time hours, which meant a reduced income, but rather than worrying about it like most people would, I actually embraced the challenge of surviving on less.

It was fun to see how much more I could get for my money with some carefull planning. I still plan how I spend every penny now, and I've been retired for over three years. I don't feel deprived at all, I don't worry about money, because I haven't got very much. I have enough to pay the bills, to feed and clothe me, I can afford a car and have days out and holidays. I may not have a posh house, but it's comfortably furnished with mostly second hand stuff.

I am proud to be a cheapskate, a tightwad, a skinflint, a meanqueen, because it means I can spend my money on what gives me most pleasure. Work, I've done my share, 45 years of it, 32 years of hard graft. I love being retired.
Ilona

nannygladys

Hi everyone, I walked out of my very stressful job a couple of years ago, and now work four full days a week on about half the amount I was earning on 5 days, but Im a lot happier now than Ive ever been, I can switch off as soon as I clock off and dont wake up in the middle of the night and write down notes incase I forget them, I know I have some debt but Im dealing with it slowly so that when I retire in two years I can survive on the OAP (no private pension:()

I do live a much simpler life, I dont feel the need to keep up with others, go on exotic holidays and go on expensive day outs anymore. Its more walking, gardening and crafting now, I know all this may sound boring but I really find it relaxing and not at all stressful, its lovely to grow things (Veggies and flowers), make something and go out into the local countryside.

Its not bliss all the time and sometimes I do worry about the future, but after reading/lurking on MSE Im in a much better place to deal with whats thrown at me, and I know I will manage:)

Ilona, I read your blog, you are an inspiration:)

Jxx

sharloid

I don't have enough money for a simple life!

ginnyknit

I had to finish work to look after Hubby as his health deteriorated. Best move I ever made. Got out of the rat race,away from people who were sucking the sanity out of me and no longer have to wait hours for buses that never come. We have difficult days with Oh and money is very very tight but I get to make everything, help others and ignore alarm clocks. the main thing though is I got to share every minute of my Dd's pregnancy with her, helped at the birth of my grandson and see him almost everyday - I am blessed.

No matter what life throws at me no one can take away those things. I am living life my way for as long as I can.

[Deleted User]

sharloid wrote: »

I don't have enough money for a simple life!

A simple life doesn't really mean an expensive one it means valueing what you have, and not being too fussed about what you haven'I have a roof over my head that doesn't leak,more than sufficient food in the cupboards to feed me(probably more than enough in fact)and a loving family who are always there when I need them or they need me.I manage a holiday (with part of my family ) every yearI don't envy or really care too much about the luxurious things in life I have what money can't buy which is peace of mind and I am happy with my lot in life.Money really doesn't come into it and I'm certainly not rich finacially but I am rich with time,family and the love they give me,and thats worth more than any gold to me