Simplifying Life - Mark II

Cottage_Economy

Cheapskate wrote: »

Mar, I think you're spot on about ailments being stress or pollution linked. The GP I've been seeing about depression in firmly convinced that humans can't sustain the current level of hamster behaviour - she feels humanity will implode at some point soon, over half her workload comes from people so stressed they're physically ill, heading for strokes etc, right down to lower levels of depression. Makes you wonder about some cancers and heart attacks out of the blue, doesn't it?

A xo

:rotfl: hamster behaviour. So true.

I know I feel physically unwell quite quickly when I'm stressed, which is why I try and squash down my ego when it starts demanding I find a job with more responsibility and money. What irritates me is this always flares up due to the opinions of others telling me

"You should..."
"You want to do..."
"You don't want to do that..."

I find keeping things simple a daily battle while working, even after all these years of trying.

Cottage_Economy

Ok I decided to stop talking and get a bit more simplifying done in the house. I haven't done any purging since last October when I overhauled my hobby room and outed a lot of stuff.

I decided to sort out my paper clutter, which had been out of hand for about a year. I didn't want to file it all in boxes and envelopes, mainly because i'd have to go and buy some but also because it would clutter up my shelves, so I decided to scan as much as I could and store them as digital files and then dump the paper.

Do you think I could get the scanner to recognise the computer? Even more galling, hubby had scanned something yesterday morning with no problems.

Two hours later, after uninstalling and reinstalling software, printer drivers, troubleshooting on websites, rebooting computers etc etc I gave up having succeeded in winding myself up into a stressy lump.

This simplifying busy is not easy.

CurlyTop

Mar, you are quite right I think in that most of life's ailments are down to stress nowadays. I too love being away from everyone and everything. I quite like shutting my front door at the end of the day and snuggling down for some rest. Doesn't always happen mind, as I live in the same road as my brother, as testified last night when eldest niece knocks asking if I can help her with her homework. This week it was a flow chart for how to make a piece of toast and how to make jelly !!!! So could have done with visio on my computer. Ha ha

Cottage - after our old shredder giving up the ghost, we finally waited till we could get one reasonably priced. Did so, some 9 months later !! We've gone through and shred stuff like no one's business. Bank statements are online so no paper there, as are gas, electricity, water and sky tv, paper bills flowing around anymore. Keep the mortgage statements. Always nice to look back on and see how its come down. As for receipts from shops, food ones go in the bin once the amount is marked on my spreadsheet as I keep a spends list for my food shopping. Clothes receipts stay around for about 6 months and then go, once I know the thing hasn't fallen to bits. Electrical goods receipts stay for about 2 years or so. Go buy a shredder or, get DH to scan the receipts seeing as he has got the knack. We women can't be ace at everything we do :rotfl:

Cottage_Economy

Unfortunately I have to keep all my paperwork for five years as I run a freelance business. I've found most banks and building societies keep around a year of statements on your account and then you have to request older copies. I think they also charge you for each request.

Hubby couldn't scan or print anything either and he's worse than me with technology! Last time this happened it was the printer that was faulty (after only four months). I've only had the replacement three months.

Pah :mad:

Tryingagainandagain

mardatha wrote: »

For me, a simple life is essential and the very thought of crowds like that make me panic. I have ME as well so it might be that I need to live remote, I need to have most of the day to myself, and then I'm happy. Have neighbours if we need them but not in your face. I really think a lot of the ailments around today are stress and pollution related.

I couldn't live as remotely as you but I agree that having people close all the time is stressful.
I need time and space to myself for my mental health.
I agree that stress and pollution - and all the additives/hormones/stuff in our food - cause most of our health problems.

Cottage_Economy

Tucked up in my favourite place (bed) reading and came across this article from the Simplicity Institute and thought some of you might like to read it too.

The Simpler Way

I cleared out almost two thirds of my clothes yesterday. I'd wanted to sort through them for a long time to try and reduce the amount of ironing and washing I do.

I was shocked at how much either didn't fit, was very worn or was very unflattering on me. I have a tendency to be a bit of a dumping ground for my mother, who is forever buying secondhand clothes then changing her mind about them and giving them to me.

I now have four capsule-ish sets of clothes, a summer and winter set for work and leisure. Excluding outdoor clothes and underwear I have about 60 items of clothing, but only about half in circulation. A further 10 are in my "if I don't miss them in six months they can go too' pile that's in a storage bag under the bed.

Today I'm doing towels and bedding, which is a similar horror story.

mineallmine

Thanks for that link, just reading it now. I like the phrase Consume less. Live more.

And the phrase:
Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without

mardatha

I do this anyway, because by nature I'm a minimalist. I hate "clutter" and "stuff". I like nice empty rooms lol - my perfect room would be a deep pile carpet, a roaring coal fire, a big comfy squashy sofa, and a laptop

Chickenopolis

Thank you Cottage Economy I enjoyed reading the article .

[Deleted User]

mardatha wrote: »

I do this anyway, because by nature I'm a minimalist. I hate "clutter" and "stuff". I like nice empty rooms lol - my perfect room would be a deep pile carpet, a roaring coal fire, a big comfy squashy sofa, and a laptop

Ooh, that sounds lovely- with you there- that would be perfect!