Slow Living Quest

Caramac

I’m following this with interest as I'm contemplating leaving work next year. I had to self isolate a few weeks ago and was amazed at how calm I felt. Financially I haven’t been in debt but I could have saved more rather than buy things that have a fleeting appeal.

DaysofQuiet

Spent the week significantly decluttering the kitchen and selling some China on eBay. Feels great to have partially empty cupboards. Makes cooking and cleaning so much easier. 

mandy47

I've just had 10 days holiday from work. We we're supposed to be going away but cancelled due to covid. We've actually enjoyed having this quiet relaxing time together. It's made me realise how much time I spend rushing around cramming loads into a day. Definitely looking at slowing down from now on. 

EriSteadyGo

I would highly recommend a podcast called The Minimalists - there is also a documentary by them on Netflix if you have it. They’re all about slowing down and being happier with less. Leo Babauta has an excellent site too, it’s called Zen Habits. Some excellent information on both of these.  

nannygladys

I love the idea of simple living and slowing down, not sure if I can achieve my idea of it though, but I'm going to make steps towards it. I am trying to be frugal, shop wisely, grow food on my allotment and keep a tidy house but I always seem to be 'doing' something and not always what I want to be doing. I would like to walk more, be able to slow myself down so I take more time doing things I really want to and be more appreciative of what I have now. I'm not sure if I'm explaining it very well, but I'm sorting out my back bedroom over the weekend, one day sorting the wardrobe, chest of drawers and under the bed and then on Sunday I will be cleaning it and changing the bed objectivity winter linen. I plan on getting rid/passing on 'stuff' I no longer need. I know I have two old laptops in the wardrobe, they don't work so they can go, is there anywhere I can recycle them does anyone know?
As someone else has said I would like to start walking more, and that just takes a bit of time, so I'm sure I can do that taking my flask and a piece of cake with me and hopefully go to some lovely places. I will do this all slowly and not all at once in the vein of slow and simple living.
Nannyg

Elisheba

Hi, @DaysofQuiet I'll second the Rhonda Hetzel books.  Her newest one is called The Simple Home. She's fab and very into simple living.  If you are being MS and your library doesn't have it she also has a blog. 

A lot of MS books seem to also be about simple living I've found, as quite a lot of people seem to be after the house in the country and that's what they aim towards.  The Frugalwoods blog and book is a good example, and one of my favourite MS authors is Amy Dacyczin.  Shes not in print currently but fairly easy to find her Tightwad Gazette books secondhand online.  Her and her husband managed to buy and pay off a big old country house and raise a large brood on one salary.  Although focused on moneysaving, simple living is a huge part of that.

Elisheba

And for anyone who wants to walk more, may I recommend a dog?  Sure, my costs increased with insurance and pet food and toys and destroyed cushions, but my goodness, so did my step count  !

DaysofQuiet

I'd love to read the Rhonda books but they are a little too pricey for me even on eBay. I do read her blog. It's lovely

nannygladys

Elisheba - I'm puppy sitting my dds dog for a short while so I'm hoping to increase both our step counts (mine and pups). It's starting this weekend so I hope he sleeps ok here.
Nannyg

angela110660

Several years ago I read the book In Praise of Slow by Carl Honore and was inspired enough to ask to reduce my work hours so I could have a better work/ life balance. Did mean less money but claimed back more time and had the opportunity to do things at a better pace that suited our family and our lifestyle.