A Simpler Life 2018

GreyQueen

alice-mary wrote: »

Jonesy 88, when I left my last job, I asked for a donation to one of my favourite charities. It wasn't difficult for my colleagues to do on-line, (no going searching the shops for something suitable and no faffing with wrapping anything), it meant that I didn't get more STUFF and best of all, the charity got a nice donation! Everybody was a winner IMHO.

Alice
xx

:T What a brilliant and generous idea!

Jonesy88

Thank you so much for all the ideas!

Definitely food for thought. My friend who turned 30 earlier in the year organised a "gentlemans' afternoon tea" with pies etc - it went down very well!

I did think about experience days, but in honesty I feel i'd enjoy a walk in the sunshine more than some of the more common experiences vouchers. That said, I can certainly hunt around and find out a bit more about what you can get. I'm sure there is something for everyone. I will also look into the "adopt a ..." gifts.

Courses! Oh my what amazing idea! i'd love to do a sewing course with my mum (even though she can sew) - it would be a nice mother/daughter thing, and I would be able to keep whatever we made as a memory. I will definitely look into that further.

Charity - there's a lady at work trying to raise money for her sponsored London Marathon run. It would be a lovely touch to just donate the work birthday collection straight into that pot. Ofcourse I am presuming they like me well enough to do a collection :rotfl:

Grumpysally

Jonesy88 wrote: »

Thank you so much for all the ideas!


Charity - there's a lady at work trying to raise money for her sponsored London Marathon run. It would be a lovely touch to just donate the work birthday collection straight into that pot. Ofcourse I am presuming they like me well enough to do a collection :rotfl:

The trouble with work birthday presents, is that they tend to be a 'surprise' so you don't get any say in it. I was very surprised and touched when my colleagues presented me with a monetary gift for a big birthday. I've never had the heart to tell them that when I got home the dishwasher had broken and so I used the cash to get it repaired.
(I told them all I'd bought a tablet, that I'd actually treated myself to a few months previously). The gift did also include a vase, which I donated to the local charity shop. If anyone had ever asked about it, I'd prepared a story about the dog knocking it over, and being really upset about it.

Wednesday2000

RicardaRacoon wrote: »

I think the whole zero waste movement is very interessting, but unfortunatelly most people will not be able to do it to the same extend as for example Bea Johnson or Lauren Singer (she is Trash is for !!!!!! on youtube if you want to check her out)

Funny name!:rotfl:

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Jonesy88 wrote: »

Thank you so much for all the ideas!

Definitely food for thought. My friend who turned 30 earlier in the year organised a "gentlemans' afternoon tea" with pies etc - it went down very well!

I did think about experience days, but in honesty I feel i'd enjoy a walk in the sunshine more than some of the more common experiences vouchers. That said, I can certainly hunt around and find out a bit more about what you can get. I'm sure there is something for everyone. I will also look into the "adopt a ..." gifts.

Courses! Oh my what amazing idea! i'd love to do a sewing course with my mum (even though she can sew) - it would be a nice mother/daughter thing, and I would be able to keep whatever we made as a memory. I will definitely look into that further.

Charity - there's a lady at work trying to raise money for her sponsored London Marathon run. It would be a lovely touch to just donate the work birthday collection straight into that pot. Ofcourse I am presuming they like me well enough to do a collection :rotfl:

Hi everyone, we seem to have slowed down on this thread so thought I would do a quick post to keep us going
How are you doing Jonesy88? How are the investigations going?

The quest for a Simpler Life is ongoing, still trying to declutter & still baking. My DH is currently making daily trips to the Tip (on his motorcycle) & I am trying to be a bit more brutal with my decluttering Have just emptied all 8 drawers in my wall unit & it is currently covering my living room floor . Gradually sorting into piles for cs, keep in drawers or relocate. But need to clean the drawers first before I start putting stuff back.

See you soon

MrsSD

elmer

I think in one way I have just done a massive u turn in my quest for a simpler life, however Im sure its the best move for me. I have rehomed a puppy, so life is not simple at the minute, but hopefully as we adjust to each other, he will help with my move away from being part of a couple and transmogrifying into a mad dog woman!!!
However after a reasonable amount of decluttering, his stuff is now filling up all the spaces, still i am definite its a step in the right direction for me

elmer

SmlSave

Evening, I thought the thread may have disappeared but here you are

I have good news that hubby has become involved in the tidying of the house and trying to declutter our belongings. His tidying does mean that often items are not in their homes but I'm biting my tongue...apart from the food containers! They simply must be paired with their lids before being put in the cupboard or avalanches happen. They are mostly plastic containers that I intend to use till they break and then get glass/tin.

His sudden interest stems from recently being diagnosed with a dust allergy which has ruined my washing routine (previously everything at 30, only washing when dirty, rarely using the dryer) and we watched The Minimalists together which we both found inspiring.

I'm over the moon that the house is tidier than ever and that hubby is helping out more. We have so much stuff that I can imagine it will take us years to reduce it all!

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Elmer, not an u-turn

Simplifying means different things to different people - for me it is decluttering - leading to everything in its place, redecorating & fully cleaning. Then I can bake to my hearts content, go off on mini breaks with my DH, visit friends & family in the knowledge that we will come back to a home we love

For you it is having a trustworthy companion who will get you out of the house & will give you love & joy. Does your puppy have a name?

SmlSave, isn’t it marvellous when DHs come on board :T My DH is currently in charge of trips to the Tip, tidying his office & all the prepping & decorating! My tasks are keeping him fed, baking him treats, decluttering the rest of the house, cleaning & letting him play on his motorbike :rotfl:

If you have lots of decluttering it might be worth joining the ‘2018 - No Clutter To Be Seen’ thread. There are lots of useful tips & if you decide to post you can choose your ‘numbers’ - e.g. 2018 items, 365 items or maybe even 52 It is surprising how encouraging it is to list what goes out :j One option is to start small - clear a table & then keep it clear - sometimes easier said than done :eek: or make sure you deal with your post immediately - sit down with a cup of tea & deal with the post - pay the bills, reply to invitations, file info, recycle/shred envelopes etc. (For me it is an easily achievable win :T )
Good luck SmlSave

MrsSD

PollyWollyDoodle

Great news on the puppy, Elmer I agree, not a U-turn. It may lead to more Stuff but I bet it will be great for your mental and emotional well-being.

System

elmer wrote: »

I think in one way I have just done a massive u turn in my quest for a simpler life, however Im sure its the best move for me. I have rehomed a puppy, so life is not simple at the minute, but hopefully as we adjust to each other, he will help with my move away from being part of a couple and transmogrifying into a mad dog woman!!!
However after a reasonable amount of decluttering, his stuff is now filling up all the spaces, still i am definite its a step in the right direction for me

elmer

Ooh a puppy sounds wonderful. What are you going to call him/her?