A Simpler Life 2018

Lilith1980

emiai wrote: »

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..

I can really relate to this. I've had moments where I've stopped and observed what's going on around me and thought "what is all this about?". I've watched those clips online of people rushing into the shops on Black Friday, fighting with each other, screaming. What on earth? We've been reduced to behaving like animals for the sake of the newest TV or hoover!

I love getting second hand bargains. Also, the other day I gave some clothes to a local CS and felt so good about it. The lady was so grateful and thanked me for "thinking of them". It benefits the charity and other people - win win

White_musk

Mrs_Salad_Dodger wrote: »

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

I did. It's so nice to be able to need something and know exactly where it is and easy to get to. The new vacuum arrived today so the new guarantee and instruction manual have replaced the recycled ones. New vac is fab, very happy bunny.

In my quest for a simpler life I have, ehm, stalled. I just don't know what to do. I have some boxes I could go through and see if I can relocate :rotfl: I think that might be what I do. I might then also re-run through my drawers too. I think I have well and truly caught the (de) clutter-bug. :rotfl:

LameWolf

ploppy57 wrote: »

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:

Before now, I have found myself making a list of my lists. Now that is scary.

Storage solution MSE style: I always keep old candle stubs, and when I have enough of one colour and sufficient energy to do it, I melt them down to make new candles. Currently I have the wax stored in scruffy old poly bags, some of which are falling apart - one actually disintegrated completely, leaving wax strewn all over the place. :eek:

For the last fortnight, I have had two dogs staying with me, who are fed on N@tral 1nstinct food, which comes in 1 kg plastic tubs, quite sturdy white ones, with lids; a bit like margarine tubs, really. One would normally chuck these tubs in the recycling, but I have decided to re-use them for my candle-wax. Tidier (they will stack neatly) and less mess as they won't fall apart easily. And they've cost me nowt! :money:

Molillie

I still like candles, and because friends know that I do, often receive them as presents, but instead of keeping the scraps to make new candles, I now melt them and soak cardboard or old scraps of cotton wool in them and pass them on to my friends who have logburners or real fires, they make fantastic firelighters. I stand the candle jars in water in the slow cooker on low to melt the wax.
At the moment, my big project is to use all my yarn stash in blankets, which are so easy to make, and means I don't get lost looking at patterns for other stuff for hours. Board games have mainly gone to members of the family with children, and to a local methodist church, who use them at various clubs, and were delighted to get them. They just weren't being used by me any more, as I live alone now. It all still seems an effort, but each time a category is cleaned up or removed, I feel happy that it's done. Less stress is the way to go.

frugalish

Re lists - my DH was keeping himself awake at night thinking about all the things he needed to do, so I suggested he make a list. Oh dear... He found the Wunderlist app, and I now have lists coming out of my ears ( of course he installed it on my phone too, so we can share the joy...:rotfl:) I'm getting things assigned for me to do each week.:eek:.. I wish I could drop his phone down the loo or something, but we can't afford to replace it!

White_musk

Now this house is full unpacked from my move and all is put away, I've been thrilled with how little time it takes to keep it clean and tidy. I don't have OCD but I can't bare the thought of my home being dirty. I can scoot around with an expanding feather duster bought to clean blinds I had installed here, then the vacuum in less than half an hour, it's wonderful.

I've also looked at my diet. I have to be careful what I eat so cook from scratch every day. I have started to adapt some recipes so I can simplify them. Today I have a lamb steak in the slow cooker and I will do some veg in the steamer. This cuts down on washing up, time and the possibility to create a new charcoal dish :rotfl: I'm a good cook and have always loved cooking but ill health means I can't do many of the things I used to, so simplifying my life also helps me cope with disability much better. This is working out really well now I live alone.

frankiedarv

I love my slow cooker too, in fact i have 2 of them one i use for main meals and the other i use for puddings, they are wonderful. :-)

wort

White musk in regard to toiletries, I have used bath stuff in my hand wash pump, instead of buying hand wash as I don't take baths even shower gel the amount t I had been given as gifts would have took years to get through. If I have those small bottles out of gift sets I pour them into a bigger bottle , I've got my toiletries sorted like this . Also I got rid of some by sending to a lady who was taking them to the women's refuge, maybe you could donate to similar, homeless charities usually want toiletries.
Make up I kept the basics ,1 of each foundation, mascara,eyebrow pencil, and blusher.
Everything else went . I'm trying not to buy anything now until I need it, so I'm not storing excess.
There's always offers on so I don't need to stock up on anything.

Mrs_Salad_Dodger

Bonjour tout le monde :T

Our lovely thread seems to have reappeared :j

I will try to post this & see if it works

MrsSD

bexster1975

Yay! :j

Great find Mrs SD!

Bexster