A Simpler Life 2018

PollyWollyDoodle

Pauper, I don't think there's a single definition of 'simple' - it's more about moving towards a simpler way of living. The definition is very different for each of us, depending on whether you live somewhere urban or rural, work outside the home or not, who you live with - for me it's about consuming a bit less in the way of material goods and creating a bit more myself (whether that's baking, sewing or gardening).

LameWolf

Am I alone in actually welcoming the sound of a spin cycle, or the breadmaker doing it's stuff?

I have chronic tinnitus, which is so loud in my head that sometimes I think the neighbours ought to be able to hear it and the sound of household appliances working actually mitigates it somewhat.

I have what Mr LW calls my "noise generator" in the bedroom; it's a little gadget that you can set to produce a selection of sounds - waves on the seashore, birdsong, a heartbeat (that one creeps me out!) or actual white noise; my own preference is for a babbling brook. Without this, I'd go mad lying in bed at night with just the tinnitus to listen to.

Pauper1

LameWolf, I've got the washing machine on at the moment and it's such a relaxing noise for me. "They" recommend white noise for babies, so I now seem to have associated being absolutely knackered with the sound of white noise and fall asleep very quickly haha

Floss

One of my offspring used to fall asleep in his bouncy chair in front of the washer... then again, he could fall asleep in our old Mini with Rainbow or Black Sabbath on the cassette player!

kayjay1809

Subscribing to this thead - I intend to continue my decluttering and simplifying of life next year.

One thing I won't be getting rid of, unless I get to the stage where we really can't afford it, is my Kindle Unlimited Subscription. I'm an avid reader - several books a week - and my unlimited subscription costs £7.99 a month and you can borrow up to ten books at a time (they are from a library, not all books are available but I find many that I would have previously bought are). I definitely get my money's worth! I could use the local library, but it is a very small one, so I have to pay 50p an item to request it, and the local council are threatening to close it altogether.

LameWolf

Pauper I didn't know that about "them" recommending white noise for babies (but then, I'm not a mother, so not something I'd have researched) - interesting info!

Kayjay hi and welcome -imho, if you're using and getting pleasure from something, then it's worthwhile, it's only "stuff" that's sitting around using space/costing money without "paying it's way" that needs to go; what I love about my Kindle is that I can set the text size so that I can read it when I can't sleep at night, without putting the main bedroom light on and disturbing Mr LW. I went to pick up a "real" book a few nights back, and the text was too small for me to read.:( Recently a friend upgraded to a backlit Kindle, and gave me his old cover, which has a little light you pull out to illuminate the page. He was no longer using it, but it's doing me a grand service.:o

amber03

Subscribing to this thread. For the last couple of years I have thought of having a "simple life". OH has plans to take early retirement this time next year and I will see how things go in my job, which I still enjoy. I have a problem with storing food for that "just in case" moment. Sometimes I forget where I have put it. More walking and reading on the agenda I think. Recently it was my birthday and with Xmas around the corner I am lucky to receive money off a few people. With this money I buy yearly subscriptions for a couple of magazines I enjoy. Also my OH buys me membership for our local zoo( which is currently on TVs), so if I want a cheap day out it's sorted. Only going to buy clothes when I need them and will have a takeaway once a month as a treat.

Will enjoy this thread and hopefully pick up a few tips.x

amber03

Forgot to add on my previous post , as mentioned in somebody else's post that I am going to concentrate on making me and OH a priority. Instead of running around and being worried what others think, we will spend more time on 'us'.

lessonlearned

Floss wrote: »

One of my offspring used to fall asleep in his bouncy chair in front of the washer... then again, he could fall asleep in our old Mini with Rainbow or Black Sabbath on the cassette player!

My youngest son did this. He used to have a “whingey” period around 8 am. Popped him by the washer and he loved it......he fell asleep within minutes.

lessonlearned

Pauper1 wrote: »

I've just read all this thread with interest as I am not living a simple life by these standards, but compared to others in my "real" life, I am!

We don't have Sky, we have second hand phones, our cars are really old, we buy at car boots and charity shops, we followed Kon Mari before we sold our house so drastically cut down on our "stuff" (although I need a second festival I'm starting to think!), I mostly cook from scratch. BUT, we have the TV on a lot, we partake in exchanging Christmas presents for everyone, we failed at growing veg this year, and I often have cravings to buy "nice stuff", so I will be subscribing in the hope that all your more simple ways will rub off on me.

I think once my uni assignment is out of the way I will re-do Kon Mari as a start.

I think each of us has our own definition of what constitutes a simple life.

I am not into rampant commercialism but I still give birthday gifts and Christmas presents. Yesterday I went for lunch with 4 friends. Instead of Christmas cards I gave them a small bar of posh chocolate each, beautifully wrapped. Their faces lit up with huge grins. It was a lovely moment, I love giving presents. They don’t have to be expensive, just thoughtful.

My family and I have an agreed spending limit. And half the fun is using our imaginations to find an appropriate gift within that limit.

And although I don’t have the tv on as wallpaper, I do love to curl up with a sofa throw, maybe a glass of something and settle down and watch a good film or favourite TV series.

I think what a lot of us do is simplify and save in some areas so we can indulge ourselves or have a little splurge on the things we enjoy.

My “splurge” is travel and holidays. I also like to eat well and yes I admit I do like clothes (although a lot of mine are charity shop or vintage so don’t break the bank).

I like the idea of magazine subscriptions etc, NT memberships, zoo memberships. They make great gifts too. I used to buy my parents NT membership and magazine subscriptions for Christmas. They loved it because as they said they had all the ornaments they needed. :rotfl: I also had a ritual where I bought mum one of those large amaryllis bulbs, one for me and one for her and we had little competitions to see whose grew the tallest.

My first grandchild is due next year and I have already made a decision that I won’t be spending lavishly on gifts for him/her or indeed any further grandchildren that may appear further down the line. They will have a couple of small gifts to open on the day and then I shall open savings accounts for them (which they won’t be able to touch until they reach their maturity).

My garden was a disaster too this year, everything went wrong. Although the roses were beautiful. :rotfl: Hopefully next year will be better.