Summerlady's chance to change everything

summerlady_2

Hi, I hope people won't mind me posting this on the OS board. I started a financial diary on the Debt-Free board, but I'd like to make some substantial changes to my life, and this seemed to be a good place to start.


Simply put, my problems are

• I'm a world class procrastinator, which I think is the cause of the other problems
• my house is a mess
• I am a mess - I need to really get myself sorted out
• I spend too much money on things I don't really need or appreciate properly
• I say I am short of time, but I can spend hours watching junk TV at the moment (started recently), reading or on the computer
• I overcommit myself to other people because I can't say no - I'm on too many committees and attend too many pointless meetings.
• I don't concentrate on my business so I don't earn much, which is not good as I paid out a lot of money to get going
• I'm overweight, and although I have lost a stone with slimming world I still eat poorly a lot of the time
• I don't exercise - I say I have no time, but it's not really the case
• I waste things, including food, which really annoys me.

I don't think I can deal with every aspect at once, but I hope to start by getting a healthy eating plan in place, which can be achieved by planning my meals, shopping for what I need and batch cooking whenever possible. This should also save me from wasting food, and save some money too.


So that I can make a start, I've cleared all the old stuff from my food cupboards - this included fancy stuff that I bought and tried once, or found that I didn't like.


For the time being, I'm going to stick with buying ingredients that I know I will use and try new foods when I'm out.


Later today I will empty the freezer, list what I have in there and put everything back tidily. I have joined the grocery challenge for March, and I plan to use up what I have before buying anything else.


I am also determined that if I am going to watch TV, I will be doing something else at the same time. I can dust, iron, clean shoes, paint my nails, knit - etc.


A friend was telling me about "ad-break boogie" - so I will be getting up and dancing about during the commercial breaks, too.


Anyway, I'll stop wittering on now and start putting things into practice.

DebtFree2012

Before you go, tell me something nice about yourself Don't beat yourself up but well done for putting down what your thoughts are and the best of luck to you. One day at a time.

GreenQueen

Hi Summerlady,

Apart from having your own business, this sounds as if I could have written it! I'll be watching this thread with interest, and hopefully addressing some of my issues alongside you. I probably won't meet you at the procrastinator olympics to challenge your world title, as I'll put off going until it's too late!

Now the evenings are getting lighter, I'm hoping that I'll be able to do a few jobs after work before settling down. Even if I only spend 10 minutes or so a day it should nibble away at the backlog. All great plans...

Good luck with getting things on track.

GQ

summerlady_2

DebtFree2012 wrote: »

Before you go, tell me something nice about yourself Don't beat yourself up but well done for putting down what your thoughts are and the best of luck to you. One day at a time.

Hi Debtfree2012


This wasn't meant to read as though I'm just putting myself down.


I have many strengths - I am kind and considerate; I am very skilled at making people feel good about themselves; I am very good at my therapy (and any other job I put my mind to).


There are lots of others, but I feel my problem is that I am not focused enough to achieve all I could.

monnagran

Dear Clone,

When you've got it all worked out please share. In the meantime can I suggest a kitchen timer. It's about the only thing able to keep me focussed for long enough to make any appreciable difference. It's amazing what can be accomplished in 15 minutes when the clock is ticking and you are trying to beat it.

Best of luck.

x

summerlady_2

Eek - I just typed a long post then lost it.


I did a quick calculation yesterday of how much time I spend on community things and committees - the whole lot comes to under 26 hours a month on average. I previously felt it was much more than this.


I agree I have to make good use of small periods of spare time - I like the kitchen timer idea.


Yesterday I did some batch cooking. I also sorted out some paperwork and did a bit of exercise while the TV was on.


Today I'm off for a walk to the post office for stamps. I've started a Slimming World self-sabotage log as I start well then it all goes downhill. I hope not only to lose weight by eating healthily, but also to increase my energy levels.


Other jobs for today
Vacuum through - I will start a proper housework routine next week (away for the weekend) - baby steps
Laundry, iron and pack
Sort out travel plans - yes I always leave till the last minute.
Inventory of fridge and finish shopping list for Monday.
Recycling out.
Update business accounts and start making posters and flyers.
Shave my legs.

oldtractor

Hello Summerlady.
it might help you to know that I found displacing one activity with another helped me stop wanting to buy things. ie i replaced cleaning with buying. its been great.

rosie383

Another one here who could have written your original post apart from the committee stuff.
I think it is great that you have taken the time to write stuff down. Sometimes that is a huge step towards starting to change things.

candygirl

Apart from having my own business, I am very similar! Procrastination is my middle name! Eg today was meant to be a decluttering day, but it's much more fun downloading books, n reading forums:eek:

boultdj

Hello summerlady, as well as the posters and flyers, have you thought of a faceache page, or Linkadin? The holistic centre I'm at part time does both, as well as the local, within 40 miles, MBS fairs.hth

meanmarie

Summerlady.....are you my twin???

I have a PhD in procrastination and it has been my biggest drawback all my life...I will exercise tomorrow, cut down on the carp I eat starting next Monday, declutter my house next month and get my tomato and pepper seeds sown later on this evening.

Will be following this thread eagerly for anything to kick me up the arras and get me moving!

Marie.