Debt and Caring

WelshmansDaughter

Lying on my bed watching a light show (one of the lights I got for the kids) under a weighted blanket. Living my best life. So peaceful.

savingholmes

Glad you are having a good day.

I wasn't a massive fan of the happiness project book but may look into the others. I love Decluttering at the speed of life -and play that on repeat to help motivate me when needed. She has 5 top principles which are easy enough to follow - one of the ones that I keep circling back to is a container is meant to contain i.e. limit the amount of stuff. A house is a container. A room is a container. A shelf is a container etc. A home must also have room for its occupants and space to do things in it that fit the purpose of each room. She talks about us having a 'clutter threshold' the limits of the amount of stuff we can have and personally keep tidy. Mine is obviously way lower than my current belongings... She has a 'no mess decluttering method' which I like. I liked the konmari documentary - but her method didn't work for me at all. I also like the Clutterbug one which taught me that my organising style is mostly visual - if it's not out / visible in some way I don't know I have it - which is why I'm gradually moving most of my belongings to see through boxes / drawers...

WelshmansDaughter

I enjoy re-reading the Happiness Project. I do think she is annoying as a person though, somewhat oblivious maybe? 

The point about the containers is worthwhile exploring but perhaps a bit limiting just on its own? After all, a box full of empty crisp packets is different to a box full of art supplies. 

I think for me it conjures up ideas of holding onto things rather than things cycling in and out with the flow of your life.

WelshmansDaughter

A NEW CHAPTER BEGINS…

It’s now been a year and six months since Dad died. In many ways I have been in a holding pattern while I try to navigate such a big change as well as recover physically from the stress. 

The lack of money coming in has been a big stressor. I’ve been borrowing from Teacup, letting my sister pay for things, living out of my overdraft, picking what bills to pay each month. And I’m tired of it. And that is enough of a motivation for me to develop a new pattern. All going well, I will be working full time from the end of this month as a postie. I’ll keep my cleaning job on as well.
Combined, the income will be enough to stabilise my finances. 

In theory the new salary could pay off my debt in less than a year but I have made the decision not to pursue that as a goal. I have always said that there needs to be a Meaningful Money board and if there was, thats where I’d be. 

The next couple of weeks will be about tying up loose ends and devising routines to keep me healthy and motivated for this next season of my life. 

astrocytic_kitten

Delurking to say yay for the postie job! Also thank you for the thoughts on having too much stuff, very thought provoking - it's something I've always struggled with. 

Cherryfudge

I think that could be a great choice of job - out and about and not too much people-ing. How will it affect care of the children? You will miss them if you don't have as much time with them.

Taking a bit more time to pay off debts is often a good choice. It's tempting to want them gone, but you need some quality of life along the way and a few treats. 

LadyWithAPlan

Fingers crossed on the postie job!! Could be fantastic all that fresh air, and good to feel a new level of independence I think..

You are doing great, and no doubt still grieving so keep telling yourself how well you are actually coping. Sounds like you are ready for a new season!


Your book list sounds great - on the Home Comforts one reminds me there is the Greek Goddess Hestia - goddess of the hearth'  she encapsulates that joy we feel in our own homes, food cooking and a lovely place to rest, keep warm and be content. I think that is the greatest purpose of a home

WelshmansDaughter

AN ODD STRETCH OF TIME

So this is technically day 2 of the Last Weeks of Freedom. Not that I’m being dramatic. I spent yesterday breaking down the weeks into blocks according to what’s happening. So today was train, library and garden centre. I had envisaged a Lovely Day Out but turns out I only had mission energy and not pottering energy. So mostly things were looked at and not bought. Except for in lidl where I somehow managed to buy mostly yellow and orange foodstuffs.
Reader, I didn’t even buy a cup of tea. 

Part of my tying up loose ends was to obtain tulip bulbs. However the selection was limited and a tad pricey. I also hadn’t considered where I’d be putting them so a rethink is needed. Also a trip to the fancier garden centre. 

Teacup arrives tomorrow which accounts for the next block of time.

Yesterday was almost comical in its misery. I arrived at work to find that we were chemical bombing all surfaces thanks to the appearance of norovirus. The thought of getting yet another illness on top of hormonal sludge tipped me over the edge. An entire bag of microwave popcorn and a mint reindeer later I was almost human again. 

redofromstart

I am glad it isn't just me who self heals with random food choices!

Good luck with the postie thing. 

WelshmansDaughter

Thanks and welcome astro. The stuff struggle is real.

They have agreed to every Thursday off so I’ll have that day with LB or Small One, Cherry. I’ll also be off Sundays as far as I know. The school holidays too. 

Yes it is a theme of excellence in homemaking LaPlan. Maybe a bit out of date information wise. It kind of takes me back to my home ec class