Prosperous soul, mortgage neutrality & creativity Year 2

Swayingseaweed

Mmmmmm roast potatoes 

WelshmansDaughter

I got mine at decathlon. The metal bit at the bottom wasn't sharpened to a fine point, bruise more than stab I should think. 
If that's where you are on the proprioception spectrum wearing something compressing may help if you can tolerate that type. 

savingholmes

Thanks Swaying and WD. Beanie - you are right BF should get a bravery award!

Well I woke up early dreaming of a mix of work and what I could ask my cleaner to do next aka sort my photos.

I've just ordered some photo boxes. Will see if I like the look of them when they come - and if I do - then will order more. During the divorce I just shoved all the photos I found into cubes marked photos or memorabilia and set them to one side. I would however like to get to the point where I can prepare some photo books for the kids so they can celebrate and have a record of their childhood to early adulthood. I could get her to do it in one of the kids bedrooms and that way I don't come across any accidentally. I could ask her to look out for standout photos to make it into a photo book.

Even sorting memorabilia into years and determining whose is whose would be a step forward. I have quite a few boxes of sentimental items so if I could get her to gradually work through some of those then hopefully I can thin them out - and face their contents if needed with some support. I wouldn't want to just move them to the next place as is as I have too much still - even if everything can now be hidden away in a cupboard. As you've all gathered my cleaner has become a friend - so it will probably never be any easier than it is right now to tackle this stuff.

I am trying to make the amount of stuff I have match my current reality - I'm one person living in a big family home with DD taking steps towards greater independence. My next house could be a lot smaller. I am so proud of how far I've come on decluttering since the divorce. All my rooms including the shed and garage are now functional which feels amazing and felt impossible at the start. I've kept photos of most of my journey and the difference is phenomenal. From where I am now standing it feels almost miraculous and it's hard to believe I lived with such a high level of overwhelming clutter for so long. I think it both reflected and massively contributed to my depression and anxiety during those years. It also reflects how much getting p1p has changed my life - as I've had more money available to spend on resolving decades long issues with my home (and therefore my life).

If I ever write a book about my life this decluttering would definitely feature! It also helps massively that I've reduced my over-buying now that I've realised how much trying to save pennies by over-stocking has contributed to my clutter and overwhelm. Bringing 'like' things together has also made me see how much stuff I already have and reduced some of my impulse buying as I confronted myself with how much I already had.

SandyShores

It's great that you have come so far savingholmes.  My home feel like it getting a bit of clutter again so I'm going to have a bit of a declutter this weekend.  You've reminded me just how much enjoyment a clear functional room brings.  I could definitely live in a small place (do you ever watch George Clarkson's small spaces) but I would need the outside to be somewhere very beautiful to be.  

savingholmes

Tony R says you change your life by raising your standards. By creating new 'musts' you move yourself to a whole new level. I now know my musts include:

1. Being CC debt free
2. Having savings. Currently at c3 months basic - aiming for at least 6 months basic
3. Having a decluttered, organised and restful home
4. Peace and quiet
5. Help with the home and garden - even if its paid
6. A good boss
7. Social connection
8. Comfortable shoes and clothing
9. A room with a view
10. Getting out in nature
11. Beautiful arts and crafts made by me
12. Time and materials for play

I still need to work on other areas of self neglect like health, exercise, food and social connection. I also need to consciously plan how I use my free time so I get the most benefit from it e.g. writing, art but also going places and doing things. I need to reconsider what my budget is for fun and frolics and holidays. My DD's budget is a lot higher than mine for the latter which feels wrong given the disparity in our incomes (although that's likely also a stage of life as she has less commitments than I do).

I have items on my bucket list that I can't imagine doing alone. I need to consider how to overcome / work around that. I felt like I 'lived' last weekend as I had an outdoor swim and went to a gallery - most of the time I feel like I just 'exist' which is scary as I'll never get that time back.

Just keeping it real... 

savingholmes

On that note - just booked an outdoor swim for tonight.

LeighofMar

savingholmes said:

I have items on my bucket list that I can't imagine doing alone. I need to consider how to overcome / work around that. I felt like I 'lived' last weekend as I had an outdoor swim and went to a gallery - most of the time I feel like I just 'exist' which is scary as I'll never get that time back.

Just keeping it real... 

You are doing so good to recognize this and take small steps to change it. As someone who has watched my parents over the last 7 years fall into a retirement of existing rather than living, it is indeed very sad to see. There was a Tiny Home festival a few weeks ago that I was too sick to go to but mentioned to them to check it out if they wanted to do something different. Did they even attempt to go? No. I asked my dad what kinds of things he wants to do and he had a list but told me he doesn't know how to live. It breaks my heart. So baby steps if it's out of your comfort zone but once you do it, it will be easier and easier to try new things, even alone. 

savingholmes

Thanks Sandy and Leigh

I had a busy day. 

I had leftover chicken and heated frozen roasties for dinner - and for tea I am having some pizza DD got for me yesterday. (She bought more than we needed). I've cut it in half and if it's still good tomorrow - will eat that then.

Some clothes came but they aren't quite right so it's free returns - so I'll send them back. I've ordered another couple of things - hoping they arrive tomorrow. 

My meds arrived but I've decided not to start them until after the family gathering - so Sunday.

Work was frustrating. I finished early for me. I didn't make it to swimming. I was going to go - but couldn't make myself.

My EA rang and suggested I dropped the price - so I agreed to drop it £10K but do an offers over thing - will see what happens next. That gave me fresh impetus to get my garden looking good again. I ended up mowing my lawn and my other neighbour's lawn (with breaks). I then did some pruning in the veg and fruit patch area which was looking overgrown. It made me sweat so - suggests for me that's cardio!! I still need to paint the other bits on the shed - but to do that I'd need to change into other clothes - so I'll see how I feel after tea.  It's only a tiny amount but I'm terrible with a paint brush and it can easily go wrong (don't want to ruin more clothes). Really hoping my cleaner didn't bin the last bit of paint yesterday... I don't remember seeing it today... Will need to look for it.

I'd forgotten my pr1m3 bill was due this month so that was a blow. £95 that I'd put in my overall forecast but not assigned to a specific account. Not sure where I'll be at the end of the pay month with my recent clothes spends... but as long as I don't go on holiday / book a holiday next pay month my accounts should be healthier.

doingitanyway

That's a really good list.
I hope the offers start to come in on the house. 
Great job getting the house organised.

Honeysucklelou2

Finally had chance to catch up on your diary SH. A huge well done on all the decluttering and staging you’ve been able to do to put your house on the market.  Hope you are able to get some more sleep. Have fun at the family event this weekend.