Looking to have a simpler life .......

Downshifterella

True indeed gallygirl! Eating the elephant bite by bite as they say!

Karmacat

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, all that it's true!

Downshifterella

Evening all
Still on my single steps ( but thousand miles ) journey!

Its been a very very busy ( and fairly stressful) couple of months at work but broken the back of it and its reminded me of some real key lessons in terms of self care and self preservation!

Have managed within this to keep on an even keel money wise ...although I'd say more bought lunches than originally planned ( but needed to preserve time and sanity as I decided early on I cannot do everything nor be all things to all people!)

Mortgage free figure currently stands at £65,899

Hoping to manage sub 50k figure by Christmas but not gonna kill myself to get there!

Plan as always not grand gestures but little tweaks.... A few less bought lunches, ( allowing for one a week while things stay thus busy!) , free/cheap entertainment or using vouchers , on the plus side haven't drunk any wine the last month or so ( not that I drunk loads but a glass or 2 at weekends!) As I've been so tired! :rotfl:

Have a lovely weekend, I'm hoping the sun will come out!

Ella x

Karmacat

That sounds good, Ella - and I know how helpful a few bought-in lunches can be when you're so busy. Under £50k by Xmas would be fantastic, here's to you

Downshifterella

Thanks Karma!!
Yep the bough lunches ate keeling me sane at the mo!
X

Downshifterella

:cool:Hey everyone
Hope everyone is getting some sunshine!
Still in the land of bought lunches and very hectic work life ( which I'm trying hard to stay sane and stable with .... Hope I'm succeeding! :rotfl:)

Though its a temporary stress its been several months with a good few months to go and if I'm honest its starting to take its toll .... I need to find some short term solutions in terms of managing and keeping on top of stress ( which is external/accepted I don't think its just about how I'm thinking/percieving things)

I feel like I need to remember that the simple life ( including health and happiness ) is the goal and actually current work situation is doing the opposite to this ....

Am definitely looking forward to a long (and hopefully sunny! ) weekend

Money shuffling done and Mortgage this month standing at around £59000 so much sub 50k end of the year goal is still in sight!

Karmacat

Here's to short term solutions while keeping an eye on the bigger picture, absolutely. Even 5 minutes self massage of your feet at the end of the day, anything at all. Breathing exercises before a meeting starts? Good luck!

Downshifterella

Thanks Karma
Yep really good suggestions , am really trying to strip things back to basics ...breathing, music/books (rather than work and more work!) on train commutes, exercise/yoga/meditation...( varying degrees of success making this daily) , decent healthyish food (where possible!)

Am keeping on keeping on ... Glad this is not a 'forever' state of being though! :cool:

kimplus8

Hi, Im new to the MFW board but I love this diary, will be following with interest. :-)

Downshifterella

Thanks Kimplus !

So have been AWOL but chipping away !
Recent successes including a small monthly payrise and using vouchers which enabled 2 free meals out !

Sticking to my savings goal for the end of this year and still determined to be rid of the mortgage by the end of next year just haven't *quite* figured out the maths yet! :rotfl:

Cheapish few weeks coming up and its head down to make it to the summer holidays intact with a super busy few weeks of work, but after that *phew* a bit of a reprieve from the hecticness and boy do we need it!!

Hope all are well and have enjoyed some of the lovely sunshine that's been poking its head out the last few days!
Ella X