Simplifying Life - Mark II

lessonlearned

What a lovely thread.

I've been working towards a simpler life and I really am so much happier now.

One thing that has really helped is shopping locally, using small independent shops such as a proper butcher, farmshops and markets. Much better quality than the big supermarkets, cheaper and a lot less stressful than battling the crowds.

Gardening, sewing, crafting, reading, time for friends and family.

I'm like a pig in muck:rotfl: I just love it.

I think money is only part of the equation - for me it's about quality of life, peace, time, family, better health - things that really are beyond price.

Gingernutty

Tryingagainandagain wrote: »

Please someone - what is CRAPROLLZ?:o

Try here for an explanation from this thread.

Uniscots97

I long for a simpler life, just got a new job back in my home city and although I haven't started yet. It feels good to be going back there but what I really want is a house out in the middle of nowhere, growing our own veg, and running a small craft shop in a village near by. Until then I'll have to settle with a house overlooking a wood, growing what veg I can and making my own cards.

Peggybabcot

8 years ago my life changed overnight when I developed a serious neuromuscular condition that impacts greatly on the life I once knew. At the time I said there'd be a reason for it, everything happens for a reason but its only now I understand. I was in a materialistic rat race earning good money but spending it on keeping up with the Jones'. I had a brand new car, big house and foreign holidays then suddenly BANG, my bubble burst. We didn't know if we'd lose our house but with careful budgeting 8 years later we're still here. The car's no longer brand new but we're happy. I've managed to continue working on a very part time basis until now and have decided to take some time out and be a lady of leisure for a while. It's taken me 8 years but I've finally realised, you've only got 1 life to live and make the most of what you have. I'm looking forward to a gentler pace of life where I can cook and bake as well as do some sewing and if my muscles will let me, some decorating. Once upon a time I used to look out my study window and envy my neighbours new car, nowadays I watch her standing on a ladder cleaning her windows and wish I could do that without losing my balance! I think everyone should have a life changing experience to truly realise what's important in life. We may be as poor as church mice but you can't put a price on peace and serenity x

Lavender_Rose

It has been very interesting to read all your responses on here and I'm glad I'm not alone in wanting a simpler, less stressful and more rewarding life. One of the things I do still need to address is the time I spend on certain things.

One is the amount of time I spend (waste) on the internet. I'll sit down to check perhaps the news or weather and 1 hour later I'm still there, reading a blog/forum/news or just aimlessly surfing...this needs to stop...as of today.

Good luck to everyone who wants to follow the 'simple life' path.:)

tori.k

unixgirluk wrote: »

I long for a simpler life, just got a new job back in my home city and although I haven't started yet. It feels good to be going back there but what I really want is a house out in the middle of nowhere, growing our own veg, and running a small craft shop in a village near by. Until then I'll have to settle with a house overlooking a wood, growing what veg I can and making my own cards.

What is a simple life tho? I live the life you wish for it's fantastic in loads of ways, but it's very hard work, I just seemed to have swapped hours working outside the home to more hour's working within... don't get me wrong i wouldn't change it for the world im happy..but shattered (been cutting up wood for the burner all morning) I sometimes think the ideas of a simpler lifestyle ( the spiritual approach of removing all but the essential for a life without chaos) get mixed with the idea of a simple life of downsizing to a more sustainable lifestyle, it's hard work and not really that simple unless you lucky to have the money behind you to play at being self sufficient.

A simple life to me is a state of being not a place in the middle of nowhere

RevolvingDoor

I have massively simplified my life in the past ten years. I just enjoy pottering around at home with my cats and dogs and DH. I don't have many nights out anymore and I don't miss it at all. I don't bother to colour my hair which has been such a relief. I don't have any grey yet so I can get away with it, not that there is anything wrong with grey hair.

clothhany wrote: »

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.

:T I need to buy some daffodils, I love them.:)

marygoodwife

hi, what a lovely thread.... i think people always think about making changes but never do until its forced on them, that happened to us, the first thing i did was go through the house and loft and e bay everything we didnt need or want, i got over £5000 in eight weeks, there is no clutter in the house now and its so easy to keep clean!! i used to really struggle and get stressed, i now have time to spend with my children, proper time, no anxiety, i have time to cook from scratch again so not spending loads on shopping, and i batch cook currys and chinese and freeze for takeaway nights. i have a part time job and thats enough now, the bills are covered with a bit over, but the main thing is no stress and there really isnt a price on that hope it made sense i do ramble on a bit lol.

Uniscots97

tori.k wrote: »

What is a simple life tho? I live the life you wish for it's fantastic in loads of ways, but it's very hard work, I just seemed to have swapped hours working outside the home to more hour's working within... don't get me wrong i wouldn't change it for the world im happy..but shattered (been cutting up wood for the burner all morning) I sometimes think the ideas of a simpler lifestyle ( the spiritual approach of removing all but the essential for a life without chaos) get mixed with the idea of a simple life of downsizing to a more sustainable lifestyle, it's hard work and not really that simple unless you lucky to have the money behind you to play at being self sufficient.

A simple life to me is a state of being not a place in the middle of nowhere

I suppose I have an idyllic view as my parents last house was a 17th century stone cottage in the middle of nowhere. I had some happy memories there. They had that house compulsory purchased by the coal board who said it would be preserved. Two months later it supposedly accidently caught fire and they bulldozed it. Anytime I picture OH and I in the country its in a house like that.

miss_corerupted

oh i wish i could go down to part time. i don't think i would want to be a sahm. we live on a farm so if i didn't work we wouldn't see anyone! I need to pay off my house first (less than 6 years atm) and then I could do it! I try and pay off as much as poss.

Work doesn't look to safe at them mo. if i get made redundant i would pay it all off the house and it would be practically clear.

Should try and work out how much a month we need to live on without mortgage