A Simpler Life 2018

[Deleted User]

I hate social engagements but this year has been littered with them however, I have three prebooked things for 2018..2 operas and a theatre performance....and I will see friends every 3 months.....maximum of 15 social events per year is my new limit but intending to reduce that if possible

£35 sorted today from the change jar which will go straight into the offset once it's converted dhal is on board with the plans so hoping to save £200 this month from the food budget

IrisViolet

Love this thread so count me in!
I'd already decided im going to simplify my life - I've been getting there but lots of work to do yet.
Had a lovely Christmas , decided not to put the usual pressure on myself. Kids had much less presents (they didn't notice and I think we could even cut down more). We didn't go anywhere but stayed at home and had only my parents over.
I didn't do all the usual outings with my kids that I pressure myself into thinking that their Christmas won't be special - again not one of them noticed! We do get out with our kids and like the National trust and local parks and Museums. Usually at Christmas I pressure myself into expensive Santa visits/Theatre trips/overpriced Christmas themed events etc.
We have lots of leftovers. My kids got lots of lovely useful things.

Our only other plans now are having a few friends and families over on the 29th. Two families so and extra three kids and four adults. That's about all I can cope with socially as I love my own company too. But do like the kids get together and it isn't often.
In the spirit of keeping things simple I think I'll cook a load of jacket potatoes and one meat chilli and one veggie chilli. Will get a load of crusty bread. Make a gluten free cake and use the chocolate cheesecake unopened from Christmas.
Have unopened cream too.
Will put out breadsticks and tortillas. Make some salsa and Im debating making sausage rolls. Don't want to put out any sugary snacks that will make the kids hyper!
Loads of booze left over as not big drinkers at all.

In 2018 I'm hoping to craft and bake more. Cook more. Reduce plastic usage. Buy second hand. Fix things and not throw out. I want to make better use of my garden. Start crocheting again. Read more. Shop more locally. Basically I crave a simple life. Looking forward to sharing here.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas x

AlwaysAllie

IrisViolet wrote: »

Love this thread so count me in!
I'd already decided im going to simplify my life - I've been getting there but lots of work to do yet.
Had a lovely Christmas , decided not to put the usual pressure on myself. Kids had much less presents (they didn't notice and I think we could even cut down more). We didn't go anywhere but stayed at home and had only my parents over.
I didn't do all the usual outings with my kids that I pressure myself into thinking that their Christmas won't be special - again not one of them noticed! We do get out with our kids and like the National trust and local parks and Museums. Usually at Christmas I pressure myself into expensive Santa visits/Theatre trips/overpriced Christmas themed events etc.
We have lots of leftovers. My kids got lots of lovely useful things.

Our only other plans now are having a few friends and families over on the 29th. Two families so and extra three kids and four adults. That's about all I can cope with socially as I love my own company too. But do like the kids get together and it isn't often.
In the spirit of keeping things simple I think I'll cook a load of jacket potatoes and one meat chilli and one veggie chilli. Will get a load of crusty bread. Make a gluten free cake and use the chocolate cheesecake unopened from Christmas.
Have unopened cream too.
Will put out breadsticks and tortillas. Make some salsa and Im debating making sausage rolls. Don't want to put out any sugary snacks that will make the kids hyper!
Loads of booze left over as not big drinkers at all.

In 2018 I'm hoping to craft and bake more. Cook more. Reduce plastic usage. Buy second hand. Fix things and not throw out. I want to make better use of my garden. Start crocheting again. Read more. Shop more locally. Basically I crave a simple life. Looking forward to sharing here.

Hope you all had a lovely Christmas x

Sounds like you struck a great balance and have some super goals for 2018.

I’m enjoying this thread and will be, in my own way, trying to simplify things. I may not post often but thank you in advance for all your ideas and thoughts.

AA

VelvetFreak

So happy to have found this thread! Hope you don't mind if I join in too

I am wanting to change my life significantly next year. I feel like at the moment I spend way too much time staring at a screen, mainly my phone - the computer time I don't mind so much, as it tends to not be such a rabbit hole and I am usually actively doing/watching/reading something, whereas the smartphone I tend to end up in a trance and look up an hour later wondering where did the time go.

This might seem incredibly stupid, but I am 24 and have lived on my own for about 4 years now, and for that period of time I have developed a very strong dependency on technology. I look at my phone as soon as I get up in the morning, go on the computer while I eat breakfast, stare at phone on lunch break at work, computer when I get home, phone before bed, etc. I have even managed to develop the habit of listening to podcasts while I fall asleep, and now I can't fall asleep without it. I realise that this is all very ridiculous and that it needs to stop. I feel like I am so "busy" that I never have time to do anything, but really I am wasting my time.

Here are some actions that I am taking, and changes that I am implementing.

-Seriously decluttering during the time that I have off work over the holidays. My apartment doesn't have much storage, but will be fine one I get rid of some junk.
-No buying unnecessary stuff, specifically homewares, cushions and the like.
-Working on eating better, meal planning, taking lunch to work, etc.
-Implementing somewhat of a 'cleaning routine', especially after work on weeknights, so I am not waking up to a messy house and then trying to play catch-up on weekends.
-In addition to the above, actually doing stuff on weekends such as walks, picnics, etc.
-Reading before bed instead of phone-scrolling.
-Focusing on productive hobbies such as gardening, reading, cross-stitch, etc.
-Leaving my phone in a designated spot and not touching it unless it actually rings.

Anyway, you get the idea. I don't exactly want to to be less busy, just busier in a more productive and fulfilling way

Kantankrus_Mare

I spend probably too much time on line but.........most of it is geared towards earning a little extra money on the side so perhaps you could change what you do online?

I have never got drawn into the whole facebook thing as I find it such a waste of time.

My life wont stop because I didnt see what so and so got for Christmas or what every Tom, !!!! or Harry had for their tea.

I get my kicks from earning an Amazon voucher or some free money to go into Paypal.

bexster1975

Hi Velvet freak

I don't think this sounds ridiculous at all! I think millions of people, if they are honest with themselves, would recognise this lifestyle. I have stopped being so dependent on technology. I used to watch TV/films whilst on my phone/ tablet! I completely recognise being busy doing nothing! I now have set times of day to check emails etc. I have unsubscribed from loads of emails I don't want. Turned off notifications from email, Twitter etc. I use social media for my business, but that doesn't need to be all day every day. I now cook from scratch, sew, watch films without my tech etc. If you want a hand with the decluttering might I recommend Marie Kondo ( there is a thread in OS about it - but she has a book). My lifestyle has changed a lot and will even more when I start working two days a week in February. The rest of the time I'm going to develop my business, whilst living a simpler life.

Very good luck on your quest

Bexster

[Deleted User]

A technology detox is always good! I spend far too much time on my phone and I'm going to have alternate nights where I have no technology in use...I'll read, write, talk and sit in front of the fire with a glass of wine and candles. I want to spend less time 'doing' stuff and more time actually enjoying stuff

VelvetFreak

Thanks Bexster I don't seem to have too much trouble decluttering. I have already done so much. My issue seems to be with somehow acquiring more junk. Which keeps happening for various reasons, such as me buying more crap at the shops and well-meaning relatives giving me random stuff, etc. which is why I need to start being more careful with what I buy.

lessonlearned

Good morning......hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.

Technology.....yes I’m definitely going to cut down my screen time. In fact I made a start last night. In unsubscribed a load of stuff from my email box. Need to do the same with Facebook.

Less screen time, including tv. More “making and doing”, more reading.

disneybabe1

I would like to join to please.
I'm just so fed up of what everyone expects of us and am eager to achieve a simpler life. Looking forward to joining you on this journey xx