A Simpler Life 2018

monnagran

I so agree Fuddle. The simpler you keep your life the less need there is for bossy 'Alexa' gizmos.
My family have given up as a bad job trying to interest me in smart phones, various helpful apps etc. I'm too old and it all seems an awful faff.
Added to which I don't get the same warm feeling on receiving a birthday card that I know was automatically popped up on someone's a computer diary and from thence dispatched by moonpig or the like. I much prefer knowing that someone has remembered me and taken the trouble to select a card and write on it. Remember writing?

On the subject of moisturizers, the TV programme, can't remember the name, discovered that not only was Nivea the best cream but that what we really need is sunscreen. So I think when my current tub of Nivea is finished I will try just using a sunscreen. Actually, looking at my face which is the texture of avocado skin, I think Polyfilla would be a better bet.

VJsmum. Cheer up. Your hair problem could be worse. You could have my thin, fine hair where any overhead light illuminates my pink scalp beautifully. Most attractive.

WartimeScrapingofMarmite

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

I think it is. I didn't start saying no until I turned 40. Somehow that felt like a big 'grown up' moment and I got a bit feisty, almost overnight.

:rotfl:Same - I'm 45 and I really think as soon as I hit 40, I stopped caring as much what other people think of me....a real light bulb moment!

VJsmum

WartimeScrapingofMarmite wrote: »

:rotfl:Same - I'm 45 and I really think as soon as I hit 40, I stopped caring as much what other people think of me....a real light bulb moment!

I don't really care what others think of me, but I do care what I think of me. And I don't like me without make up or with greying hair....

As a facebook thingy says - "You will be a bit too much for some people, these are not your people". :rotfl:

maddiemay

I have worn make up and used skin care products since my teens, as soon as I started earning in fact, I am 68 and am fine to be seen without make up, but it makes me feel better about myself and stops me looking pasty and ill, each to their own I guess.

With regards to the TV programme I take all such things on TV, in magazines and newspapers with a huge dollop of salt, same with all the advertising by cosmetic companies. The number of people usually involved in the trials is minuscule, they do not state the condition of the skin of the participants, their health status etc and only use a handful of products to compare. I understand from reports I read, that the programme was heavily edited and the adviser's comments about age/skin type etc were not shown, making it seem that it was one size fits all.

If you find something that suits you, even better if it is not expensive, stick with it, if not try another one.

Hobby horse here:) the national press makes a big thing of stating that a household name actress/tv presenter (my age) uses, and has always used a budget price moisturiser that has been around since I was a girl, but fails to mention that she endorses and uses an eye wateringly (but probably very effective) supplement marketed solely for skin health and anti ageing.

This is a great thread, lots of ideas for a more simple life, whatever that might mean to each of us:D

WartimeScrapingofMarmite

VJsmum wrote: »

I don't really care what others think of me, but I do care what I think of me. And I don't like me without make up or with greying hair....

As a facebook thingy says - "You will be a bit too much for some people, these are not your people". :rotfl:

:rotfl: Very true!
I don't like me without make-up either, I look rough! Although due to a really nasty eye infection a couple of years ago, I had to stop wearing eye make-up for a few weeks......and no-one noticed - I'm not sure what that says about my make-up application skills really;)

fuddle

I learned something this afternoon. I thought I needed to buy lime to put on the brassica bed but it turns out wood ash does the same job. Wood ash I have. Thrilled. I had been using it on the plot and compost bin but I hadn't assigned a use for it.

[Deleted User]

Isn't it a wonderful and very good thing that we are each and every one of us different? it's what makes the richness of experience and ideas on a thread like this, it's what makes tossing ideas into the melting pot so useful and we all learn new things, see other perspectives and sometimes find better ways than those we've been using all our lives. Thank goodness for the diversity of people thank goodness for the breadth of experience and thank heavens for open minds to allow new ways and tricks to become part of our lives!

maddiemay

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

Isn't it a wonderful and very good thing that we are each and every one of us different? it's what makes the richness of experience and ideas on a thread like this, it's what makes tossing ideas into the melting pot so useful and we all learn new things, see other perspectives and sometimes find better ways than those we've been using all our lives. Thank goodness for the diversity of people thank goodness for the breadth of experience and thank heavens for open minds to allow new ways and tricks to become part of our lives!

Beautifully put, I quite agree.:D

downshifted

fab_n_funky_mum wrote: »

I am de-lurking to say that I too would like a simpler life and have embraced the Marie Kondo philosophy ( I lurk on that thread too )

I just wanted to say that as a natural blonde, I went white rather than grey and very early too , when I was in my late thirties I had more white hair than my mum and dad combined, in fact my lovely 78 year old mother has more natural colour in her hair than I do ( she was originally a glorious auburn toned redhead)
I have a sensitivity issue with normal dyes, so now my hair is a rather wonderful pink, purple and blue mix and I love it!
It's not even semi- permanent so it just fades prettily from vibrant to pastel - I get so many compliments about it

Embrace the colour ladies, those of us with white or grey hair don't even need to pre-bleach to get the full rainbow effect!
:)

After over 8 years with short white at the front grey at the back hair I had a cool pink dye put on at the hairdresser when it was on special offer last week. It’s lovely but fading fast. I’ll continue to experiment at home as I love it and it has brightened up a very dull January. Any recommendations as to brand anyone?

Primrose

Cottage_Economy wrote: »

MIL lives with me and DH and is very passive and timid. Since she's moved in, my stress levels are at an all time high. She's in her early 80s and has almost shut down completely from making daily life decisions that happen outside of her room. There are endless small decisions being deferred to me daily and the mental load of keeping a running inventory of hers and our life is becoming exhausting on top of working full-time and looking after the house and livestock. I'm not being allowed to ‘switch off’.

One of my pet peeves is shopping, cooking and housework that needs to be done. Unless I do a stock take, make a list or force them out the door nothing happens. Unless I say "can you do this now" they won't do anything off their own back. Dozens of times a day both of them are querying stuff with me, disturbing me while I'm working, and most of it relates to food and house/life management.

You must feel the life is lowly being sucked out of you and that you’re actually running a Care home for two people. By allowing your m.i.l to lurk in her room I think without realising it, you’re actually condoning her behaviour to let you do everything.
make a list of simple things she can do to help, ironing? Dusting? Washing up....putting newspapers in recycling bin .....anything which will keep her active. People rot away in care homes because there is nothing to keep their brains stimulated. Keeping busy is actually good for elderly people.

And please sit down with your husband and have a serious discussion with him about an equal share of duties before you find yourself sitting down in your GP’s surgery I floods of tears because yiu’re on the edge of a breakdown. It’s HiS mother. He needs to take more responsibility for her. He’s damned lucky you agreed to take her in. For many wives this would have been a step too far!