The Marching Minimalist

angelpye

Essex and JoJo low maintenance clothes is the only way forward, years ago I used to iron everything and it came to a point where I was ironing at 11pm...needless to say I changed

Thanks Bob for popping by, your signature is slowly decreasing...must be lovely feeling to know you are not far off.

Rolling over can be a bit repetitive but once I get into a routine it should mean enough will build up in the freezer to make the weekly meal plans more varied. I guess I am lucky I only have to think about the two of us and that our week is fairly predictable in timetable. JoJo spanish omelette is one of my favourites as its nice cold the next day too - two words 'onion chutney'

Sparkling house here again after a day of multi tasking and feel ready to start the week. I think I will take your advice Essex and just try to keep everything ticking through the week with 15 min bursts.

Marching on...

angelpye

So yesterday my mood crashed and burned.

I did spend yesterday but mainly on essentials I had budgeted for. DD was with me so she did, without much resistance, talk me into a couple of treats but they are within budget as long as I keep to my meal plan.

That feeling of walking through tar just to get through the day is horrendous and being close to tears constantly makes me angry with myself. In the end I forced myself to do what I saw was the minimum to get through the day i.e. cook, wash up. By the time I had put DD to bed her cheerful chit chat and my commitment to not letting the black dog near her had lifted my mood enough for the anxiety and tearfulness to dissipate. When low I make sure I put as much energy as I can into being present with her which probably sounds like I don't enjoy her but I do, she makes me smile just thinking about her. Then was kind to myself and spent the evening drinking tea and watching comforting TV.

I just need to eat regularly keep exercising and keep on top of the house and my work...just keep on going and I will ride it out.

This morning is a mixed bag, I can feel it in the background but I don't feel anxious or tearful so I am going to make a plan of action and get on with it.

After watching Martin last night I remembered my Driving Licence renewal is probably 4 years overdue!! I have tried to renew it but its been refused twice already and I do find it hard to keep on top of this kind of admin, especially when it starts to become difficult for no reason. So I dug it all out again today and will do it online then reclaim the £10 or so they owe me.

I need to buy some vouchers as a gift online which keeps lingering in my head and pay CC. Then crack on with some work. I have also put a load of washing on so will need to put on airer.

Essex reminded me of the 15 min thing of getting things done and keeping on top of the house after giving it such a clean on Sunday (yes, I am aware it's only Tuesday but it's amazing how quickly it can all go wrong!) and so I have been using that to try to motivate me through the fog. All of the above jobs are 15 mins or less and they all linger in my head as 'must do...' which is really not good for low mood. Today the sun is shining so I will sit outside for a good 10 mins or maybe even a stroll along the prom as although I don't really feel like it, I know it makes me feel better afterwards. Something magical about waves crashing on a beach

So, bit of a mind dump of a post but good to rattle through it and put it in perspective.

Marching on....

EssexHebridean

SOOOOOO jealous of you having sea to walk by! I'd love that - there really is something magical about the waves and everything.

I find that the simple act of setting the timer to "get things done" generally helps me get on with things - something about working against the clock I think. And yes to lots of small jobs on a list that can be ticked off too - isn't ticking things as done satisfying!

Like you say - keep on keeping on - focus on the small things and don't let the large ones intrude too much. The difference you can make to even the messiest room in 15 minutes is amazing! one trick I've used which I find brilliant is the "tidying treasure trail" - start in one room and look for an item that shouldn't be there, grab it and take it to it's correct home, where you find something else that's in the wrong place - repeat until the timer bleeps and then feel a warm sense of achievement at not only lots of random oddments tidying, but the number of steps you've done sorting it all out as well. It all helps!

angelpye

It is nice to live by the sea Essex, but I do kind of take it for granted. I particularly like it in the winter especially during storms...it's mesmerising and makes the pier shake underfoot!

Thank you for the encouragement. I have done quite a bit off my list today so that is making me feel like I have achieved! Might try the tidying treasure trail at some point - as you rightly point out it will keep me moving. I managed to stay on top of the house today so that is always good for the mood.

117pauline

I have just read through your diary and thought I would say hello.

Just a couple of ideas that I use myself.
Could you do enough surveys to cover the cost of Netflix each month? Or at least use the surveys towards some sort of entertainment budget so you get to see people still.

Sometimes when 15 minutes of doing stuff is simply not achievable, try the adverts high intensity workout - adverts mean 3 minutes of concentrated effort.

Perhaps you could treat yourself kindly. When you daughter is away have a plan to spoil yourself, not with things that cost lots but a great book, film, etc with a bubble bath perhaps. I even have a list of things to remind me when I feel ughhh !

Keep Marching On
Pauline

EssexHebridean

Oh now surveys to cover something like that is a great idea!

Also right there with Pauline on the adverts thing too - that can really work! :T

angelpye

Thanks Pauline, yes I have been musing over whether I could use some of the survey cash for fun...I don't need a lot and I do have a few invites coming. I have about £24 to cash out on one and over half way to a £25 voucher on another. It's not going to make me rich but some of them can be interesting and its something.

I rarely watch actual TV but I like the principle so will keep it in mind

Today I faced up to my credit record on Noddle which was a big deal for me given how anxious it makes me. It made for terrible reading but some of that is due to mistakes on the file and some due to just plain disorganisation in getting manual payments in on time. I have asked for corrections and I am waiting to be verified for the other two to check what delights they hold.

Feels good to be facing up to it all properly again and it is recoverable so I just need to stay organised and focused. I think I will diary in checking the reports from now on, maybe every three months or so.

I am slowly running out of store cupboard basics and treats having used them in meal plans so need to focus properly this weekend when comes to my shopping list. I am so in the habit of running out of something and straight away replacing it that it freaks me out slightly that I won't be doing this...its just new ways and my mind catching up with that.

Marching on...

Bobarella

Well done on getting your Noddle report. I personally find it is always better to know all the bad things you imagine otherwise. Then you can have a stress about it all and start to get better again .

angelpye

Bobarella wrote: »

Well done on getting your Noddle report. I personally find it is always better to know all the bad things you imagine otherwise. Then you can have a stress about it all and start to get better again .

Exactly Bobarella! The head in the sand is a thing of the past. :T

I paid my CC tonight after double checking the budget and sent an extra £10 it's way so that felt good! And it was on time so getting better already!

EssexHebridean

Oh well done on the noddle thing - it took me years, LONG after I was "standard" debt free, to dare go down the route of checking my credit file. I do find the MSE credit club really useful for a general overview, now.

And extra payments to the CC too - it gets addictive, that.