A Simpler Life 2018

White_musk

Mrs_Salad_Dodger wrote: »

Re silicone - I had a silicone cake mould - tried it once & it was way too floppy nearly ended with cake on the floor so eventually donated to cs maybe the next person will have better luck

White_musk - ‘used & appreciated’ :rotfl: I hav quite a few of those :rotfl:

MrsSD

My tray is very small, this is it here https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/6-Cup-Silicone-Muffin-Pan-Tray-Mould-Home-Bakeware-Non-Stick-Bake-Baking/292254416596?hash=item440bb87ed4:m:mrcAV4XaYN8n4ZTkJFhDL0A I do wonder reading all the posts if I was just lucky in only buying a small one as the larger ones do seem to be a bit of a struggle to move when full.

Used and appreciated, yes I have quite a bit of that around the house and they are very special for all kinds of reasons. I did have to part with some and that was difficult but when faced with keeping them and live in clutter or part with them and be neat and tidy the choice was made for me, even so, somethings did go with a very heavy heart.

I had a box that was full of things belonging to my two furry paws, I went through it today putting the things away and managed to throw out a couple of bits and recycled the box. Yay!

emiai

This thread is my guilty pleasure. I often catch up but also restart and read back over all the old posts on here - and I have read through them all.

This inspired me to take a fresh look at how we live our lives in January, and I have to say I am feeling like a whole different person. At the start of the year I was wanting a much simpler life.. and I have been taken on a journey far beyond what I imagined.

I now have a truly healthy relationship with my finances, and have returned back to paid work, after doing many years of part time voluntary work whilst the children were small. We recognise as a couple that were 'lite minimalists' as we don't tend to buy things or keep things that dont have a use or purpose, but I use the term 'lite' as my husband has kept old consoles he can not seem to part with.. where as I have been able to photograph and say goodbye to many of my sentimentals.

I continue to declutter and simplify our lives and routines freeing up much more time for us as a family. I use a gratitude stone for fun and it made me laugh and smile a lot, and I also keep a scribble/happiness journal, using up those bits of stationary that I kept tucked away.

Whats mostly important.. which I wanted to note is how much joy I actually get from charity shops now.

I had some kind of meltdown in Matalan whilst looking for some boys track suit bottoms for my son. It wasn't a panic attack, but whatever happened was scary as hell and it was a real wake up call. I was pushed about by other shoppers in a really rude way, as they were grappling at items.. and I sort of froze on the spot just looking around in shock. Everyone was miserable, the lady who pushed me was shouting at her kids, the children were crying, hot and sweaty, no one was happy.. everything in the racks felt ugly and overpriced.. so I simply walked out, calmly and took big deep breaths outside. It was consumption in its most awful form, and I really didn't like it. No one wanted to be there, no one wanted to spending money and it most certainly wasn't adding joy to their lives. It felt miserable..

... which leads to.. when I donated some bags of toys this week, I found a lovely pair of jeans for £2 which someone else had donated - and they have made me so happy, if that was you!! Thank you!! I don't always buy when I drop off donations, so it has made me very happy to have a treat for myself. Its the only item of clothing I have bought in 2018 so far.

This was a bit long winded... so the other changes I have made in my life I will list instead..

I threw away all old cosmetics and was realistic about the fact I hate painting my nails, so I have given that up for now, so I am now officially make up free.

I used the coathanger trick to declutter my wardrobe and donated some lovely items that I always kept for best.. which are now too big for me.

I donated my spare coats, I did not need three.

I recognised I dont have the passion to always cook from scratch, and that is ok!

Lists are my friend, and I love crossing off tasks.. even if its just housework!

Love and luck to you all x

Wednesday2000

emiai wrote: »

Lists are my friend, and I love crossing off tasks.. even if its just housework!

I love lists too. It makes me feel accomplished to work my way through a list and see it visually. I usually write one out and stick it on my fridge and cross it off with a pink or red felt tip. I have crossed off three things this morning already.:)

LameWolf

maddiemay wrote: »

Sounds like you've got it sussed.:D

LW I really wanted them to work, partly because they are so light, but they were not meant for me. Your existing trays obviously have done sterling work for you:D

Most of my existing trays really and truly belong to Mr LW, he already had them when I moved in with him in 2002; but it's me that actually uses them these days. We have an ancient and venerable jam cauldron; it is very large and heavy, and has a lid - it originally belonged to Mr LW's grandmother!! It gets used still, as we make our own jam and marmalade.

Primrose

I have a massive cast iron enamelled jam and marmalade making pan, given to me by grandmother as an engagement present over 50 years ago when she gave up making her own preserves, .i wouldn,t part with it and had it re-enamelled but it now sadly resides in the loft as it covers all four gas hobs on my hob and is too heavy for me to lift!

All our marmalade making these days is made in a big copper based pan from Asda that is more user friendly, or in a big Pyrex bowl in the microwave.

frankiedarv

I love lists too, I get so much done when i write a list. As for dishes a while back I realised that roasting tins last no time at all, yet my old pyrex dishes last for an eternity, so now i have no roasting tins and just use my pyrex, my mum also had some old white casserole dishes i think probably they were the forerunner to pyrex and they are still going strong and they are over 40 years old (definately got our moneys worth on those).

Lots of love
Francesxx

System

Ooh yes....lists are great. I wrote one the other day and at the end of it I wrote..."Also refer to other list in folder"....2 lists on the go at same time...scary!:eek:

White_musk

I like lists too. My husband used to tease me mercilessly as I would often write a shopping list and leave it on the table. Now I only need small amounts, I keep a running list on my phone which means I have my list. Chores are usually on the fridge.

I had a look through my cupboards but I really didn't find much to part with except the flan dish and a measuring jug. Still, it's a little bit of extra room. I do have a lot of toiletries though, I think I might go through my stash and see what I can get rid off. I don't want to throw anything that is just wasteful so I don't know if much will go.

I'm starting to feel at a bit of a loss. I really don't think there is much more I can realistically get rid off, however storage is still a bit of a problem. I think I need to just look at my life in segments and see how I can simplify things - without being a nun (laugh).

I forgot to switch the wall lights off when I went to bed last night, I'm not simplifying my electricity bill.

White_musk

Does living a simpler life include one in one out? (smile). My vacuum decided to give up the ghost earlier so have had to order a new one. At the moment I definitely am one up as the old vacuum is outside to go to the tip but come tomorrow I will be back to square one when the new one arrives.

I remember my mums vacuum, it lasted forever. I can only remember her having two different ones. Things don't last now do they? I did think about getting a carpet sweeper but I have a dog that moults and I don't think a sweeper would get all of the hair up. My grandmother had a very old bissell and an equally old moulting dog. I also remember even into her 70's she would get down on hands and knees with a dustpan and brush daily. I don't think we are made like that generation either. If my memory is reliable, she only got a proper vacuum in her 80's and that was because she moved into a retirement village and my uncle hid her dustpan and brush.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

One in one out definitely makes life simpler - did you also get rid of the accessories & the manual?

Door to door salesman (along the lines of ‘Big Issue’ vendors) knocked on door tonight - I wasn’t going to buy anything but remembered my double oven glove was beyond repair & I kept burning myself :eek: so new glove bought & old one binned immediately :T Granted this is not the cheapest way to buy but I would not have added it to my shopping list & would have carried on burning myself plus he is a nice, polite young man trying to make good use of his ‘second chance’ which makes me feel as if I am helping in some small way:)

MrsSD