Simplifying Life - Mark II

clothhany

What a wonderful thread. Just reading it has made my breathing slow down and I'm sure I can feel my blood pressure lowering.;).
It's just made me think how lucky I am in my life. And how the smallest simple things make me happy. No need for the latest technology, new car, massive house if the sight of a £1.00 bunch of daffs in a vase makes you smile. How blessed are we that can feel immense pleasure from the simple things in life.

[Deleted User]

JackieO wrote: »

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

You sound like me JackieO. The last couple of sentences rang a bell with me. So much so, ive been thinking of a guy ive met and over the last months ive known him (only 2) ive only seen him for 3hours in 3weeks, and it looks the same this weekend, maybe less this time as i havnt seen him now for 2 weeks as hes cancelled again because of work. Its not working for me, this isnt what my life is about, were too different... anyhoo, what im trying to say is he may be money rich, but hes time poor, whereas im money poor(a saying, rather than im poor, im not due to money management) and time rich and i wouldnt swop it for the world. I love spending time with my friends and family and money cant buy back your time, once its gone its gone and families grow.. something hes missed because hes hasnt had the time to have a family, or choose not to. Something i could never and would never have done.

Lavender_Rose

JackieO wrote: »

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

Best of luck with your recovery. Very inspiring. My Mum had kidney cancer 3 years ago and she has made a full recovery:):):):):). It was during this time that I began to think about what was important to me...definitely family and not the office!!

Whilst being made redundant was stressful, it has totally changed my way of thinking. I'm lucky that I have no mortgage, so I can cut down my working hours. I realize others are not so lucky. But there are small changes we can all make to simplify our lives and cut some stress. For some this might be reducing the time spent on Facebook/Twitter etc, perhaps decluttering to reduce the time it takes to find things in the morning, learn to say 'NO!' to people, identify what is really important to you and ditch what isn't....

Ilona

nannygladys wrote: »

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

Thankyou. You are heading in the right direction, preparing now for your retirement is the way to go. There are so many pleasurable things you can do very cheaply, or totally free.

There are a lot of people that just don't get the message that having less can give you a brilliant life. It might be an age thing, I remember working hard, but for me it was never about the money. I used to love my job, but then it became a chore, so then I slowed down and stopped. It was such a relief to get off the treadmill. Because money has never been important to me, I found no hardship in in living a simple life. I have never had a lot of stuff, just the basics I needed.
Ilona

Tryingagainandagain

sharloid wrote: »

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

I understand this as I was in the same position a year ago.

I was employed and paid for a 40 hour week, but like most people these days, I was working twice those hours.

I was desparately paying off debts I'd accumulated long before.

Being single I had to support myself, pay the mortgage and bills and could not afford to reduce my hours (and the level of commitment was necessary as we had vulnerable people relying on us).

I was lucky to be made redundant after I paid off my debts, so the redundancy will clear what's left of mortgage when I move. I haven't worked since my redundancy as I needed a break to decide what I wanted to do (haven't claimed benefits so I am not being pressured to find a job).

I've spent very little money and my life is much simpler, but it's taken me 50 years to get here and not everyone is at that stage.

abailey54

I just wanted to update on my earlier post to say that my DH has agreed that I can put in a request to go down to 4 days a week at least on a temporary basis - yeehaw!

A lot of things I'll need to cut spending on are things that are bad for me (fags, wine, comfort food etc) so we've agreed that it'll be much better for both of our health, which is worth investing in I think

How exciting :j

Ilona

abailey54 wrote: »

I just wanted to update on my earlier post to say that my DH has agreed that I can put in a request to go down to 4 days a week at least on a temporary basis - yeehaw!

A lot of things I'll need to cut spending on are things that are bad for me (fags, wine, comfort food etc) so we've agreed that it'll be much better for both of our health, which is worth investing in I think

How exciting :j

That sounds very exciting, good for you for making the move, I hope you get your reduced hours. You will be quids in if you can cut down or give up altogether the three things which are bad for you. Your quality of life should improve no end should you achieve this. Good luck.
Ilona

Lavender_Rose

abailey54 wrote: »

I just wanted to update on my earlier post to say that my DH has agreed that I can put in a request to go down to 4 days a week at least on a temporary basis - yeehaw!

A lot of things I'll need to cut spending on are things that are bad for me (fags, wine, comfort food etc) so we've agreed that it'll be much better for both of our health, which is worth investing in I think

How exciting :j

Superb. You won't regret it.:D

flowertotmum

abailey54 wrote: »

I just wanted to update on my earlier post to say that my DH has agreed that I can put in a request to go down to 4 days a week at least on a temporary basis - yeehaw!

A lot of things I'll need to cut spending on are things that are bad for me (fags, wine, comfort food etc) so we've agreed that it'll be much better for both of our health, which is worth investing in I think

How exciting :j

O i am so happy for you..like others have said you won't regret it...its hard work but so rewarding, when you wake up and realize that you are not a slave to the rat race anymore.
As for giving things up..well yes you do..those things are not good for you anyway hun..as for wine make your own..treats make your own..so much nicer and you know exactly whats in them..
I love being boring:rotfl:growing my own food,baking from scratch,reading,knitting,sewing, i have lost friends because of it but they were not real friends i can see that now,i live my life for me and my family.
Will be reading this thread with interest..i love it when folks finally get it..you can almost see that lightbulb go on and its soo lovely..
love
ftm

mineallmine

What a lovely thread.

I've been decluttering a while now, I now use up nice/posh toiletries and no longer "save" them for best. I no longer spend on toiletries like I used to. I'd easily spend £50 on nothing. Now I think I need a coat so I'll spend it on that instead and you can see/enjoy more for the money. If I do treat myself to nice stuff I do it at the optimum (sp?) MSE time/offers.

I'd need to get a grip on some financial things to reduce my hours. But I'm sure it could be done.

Food for thought