Follow the Yellow Brick Road 2023

KajiKita

“ I had a panicky few moments over the weekend, thinking what an impossible task to pay off the mortgage.  But then I thought about it and we'll do it or have a right good go at it.  We'll cope, and no point worrying, I'll be enjoying our lovely home while we are having fun paying for it.”

Thank you for this. I have similar sessions too, though mine are more about how do I survive in the job I have, to keep paying for here …. And then I look at the garden, our wider landscape or Mr KK tinkering in his garage or the vehicle sheds and think, yes, actually, it’s worth it ❤️

KK

SandyShores

Completely agree @KajiKita.  We are working to live, not living to work.  

Work isn't on my list of goals, only career learning.  I need to earn enough to pay the bills, and will give 37 of my hours for that.  Its why I've got work-life balance and 'good enough' in my signature.  I must keep reminding myself though, because its easy to slip back into bad habits when colleagues are being demanding.

Its harder when you are new in a job too as you're trying to prove yourself and don't have job security.  I think some employers either don't realise that can be an added pressure or sometimes they even take advantage of it.  I was in an awful situation about ten years ago, and I decided to quit and take a much lower paid role.  It took me ages to find my confidence again but I did learn some key things from it and its made me more resilient but also more understanding.  Wouldn't ever want to go through it again, though I have to say if I did I would be more upfront at setting boundaries from the get go.  

SandyShores

After all the sorting and tidying I've been doing, I've started to focus on my to do lists again.  I've previously just given up on them after a short time, overwhelmed with the amount of tasks.  Well I'm now pleased to report that I have my lists down on one A4 sheet.  There's a 'this weekend' list, as well as a later general task list that can be done in between other things.  A 'big jobs' list e.g. painting, making curtains, and a list where I need to enlist the help of MrShores.  I've ticked quite a bit off the 'purchases' list (fun but scary) although the remaining items are 'nice to haves' so no rush.  Should be down to an A5 sheet soon

Edit: another £5 OP today.

savingholmes

Thanks for the reminder to look second hand for an easel. Will give that a go.

I also resonated with the comment about would I buy this again. I'm struggling to let go of my bigger clothes - in case I need them again - but really should put my efforts in to staying this weight and shrinking further.

You are sound happier and more relaxed. Glad the decluttering and garden and crafts are all helping.

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes, there's definitely been a step change in my attitude.  Everything now has an allocated space, and once that space is full there's no more stuff going in.  So I can keep my bigger or smaller clothes if I want to, but there'll be no new clothes until I get rid of some stuff.  It sounds so simple, I'm not sure why I haven't done it before - probably time and energy.  

I usually get overwhelmed with the amount of stuff on my todo list and end up doing nothing.  But today I managed to get 4 or 5 things off the list.  There's still another 7 tasks on the list - maybe I could do one a day for the next week.  There's another 7 things on the 'need MrShores help' list so maybe he could also cross off one a day this week.  I'm very excited to be able to see the bottom of the task tin   

savingholmes

Well done on clearing some of the to do list. I was relieved today to have booked the airport parking etc. 

SandyShores

Thanks savingholmes and great to have got your travel to the airport sorted, its a good tick in the box.

The 7 items on my To Do list are still sitting there, but there's a long weekend coming up so will be completed by next Tuesday.

Work definitely gets in the way of everything 😂 😂 😂  but the money comes in handy 😂 😂 😂 

I got rid of an item from my wardrobe (gifted) that I haven't used for a year at least.  Plus I've managed to swim, run and walk the past few days.  I also went food shopping after work on Monday and Tuesday, but MrShores needs something else now.  He's not very good, aka rubbish, at planning ahead.  I always say I'm the brain and he's the brawn, but its frustrating when you get back from a trip to the supermarket and he says oh I forgot I needed x, y or z.  At least I leave him cooking dinner while I'm gone, which is quite a nice bonus.  Any tips for getting someone to plan ahead for their needs?

KajiKita

SandyShores said:

  I also went food shopping after work on Monday and Tuesday, but MrShores needs something else now.  He's not very good, aka rubbish, at planning ahead.  I always say I'm the brain and he's the brawn, but its frustrating when you get back from a trip to the supermarket and he says oh I forgot I needed x, y or z.  At least I leave him cooking dinner while I'm gone, which is quite a nice bonus.  Any tips for getting someone to plan ahead for their needs?

Mr KK used to be like this and it started driving me nuts …
These days, I ask him standard questions, like “Do you need any toiletries?”, “What are you having in your sandwiches/ for work lunches next week?”, “What crisps do you want?” etc. I don’t always get everything out of his head, but that covers the basics and anything else is on him to get out of his money rather than shared funds! 😉 I think anticipating where he might fall down is how you catch these gaps - but there is a mental ‘load’ / effort to this - only you can decide whether it is worth it v. the time saving of shopping twice. 

KK

SandyShores

Great idea @KajiKita I've tried this approach now, just before doing the big shop, and hopefully it has worked.  I'll need to pop out in the week for fresh milk and bread and can pick up any little extras there.  If its not in stock there it won't get bought - I think its a good compromise.

We've had a good day doing chores, and several items have been ticked off the list.  Garden tidied, things fixed and put up, sales made (about £20) and more items uploaded.  Nice to have more weekend to get more things ticked off and other things posted.

£20 from the sales sent to the mortgage

KajiKita

Glad glad I could help 😊
Sounds like a productive day and yaay for the OP from the sales monies 🥳

KK