Simplifying Life

rosieben

wmf wrote: »

Yes, JenniO, your post also helped me and i discussed it with my daughter who's staying here just now and she is also going to take on the 'plans' to make wherever she lives 'home'. Great idea.

... what I needed most was contentment. Just to be content and when i thought about this, it was limited choices. that's what i want/ need. Not to have endless choice re what to wear, eat, where to go etc.
...

Jenni's post helped me too, I was sitting here planning how I would have the home I wanted 'when I move ....' but I'm going to have it here and now! It also brought a wonderful realisation that I already have so much of it, I already have china, ornaments, furniture that make me smile but I've not been enjoying them as I should because I was too focussed on 'when.....'

And you're so right too about limited choices. I used to be a part of the rat race - under pressure to earn more to support the sort of life that you have to have to be a part of the rat race....... :eek: then illness, bankruptcy, and more illness reduced my choices in all directions!

And you know what? I'm more content than I have ever been in my life! I take pleasure in simple things, I'm trying to live in the moment. I'm learning to regard housework as taking care of myself, not just chores to be done and got out of the way but things to be enjoyed in themselves - Rhonda Jean is my guru there. :T

Thanks for the quote too, I've snitched that one for my folder

mary43

groatie queen - you;re doing really well with the 27/9...........oh dear me........I'm afraid I'm not. Well, not at the moment and can't see me managing to do it every day............spread over, say, one day a week, then maybe I could achieve that. Maybe that's best to be my goal.

wmf - Your home sounds delightful, restful and relaxing and a 'proper' home which is as it should be. When we nearly lost out house through a wrong business venture I got rid of so many things in order to pay off debts.......they were easily replaced by cheaper versions and it was still my home. But talking to OH at the time about the possibilities of not having our house anymore I said 'well, thats what it is..............just a house. Anywhere can be made a home' and once the court hearing was over we made a point of making out house more 'lived in' and to suit us.........not anyone who might visit and remark about the wonderful antiques we had. Now, we like what we've got....................ok, so I'm a clutterer and I do admit to having an urge to 'possess'...................why is this I wonder ? But this year, so far, I've been very good and my endless trips to charity shops have resulted in carrier bags full of stuff for christmas hampers for other people with just the occassional book for me.

So............I'm getting there..........just that at the moment I'm finding it slow and hard to 'get rid' but a lot easier not to add to it. That has to be a step in the right direction I think

rosieben

I think you have to be in the right moment to do the 27/9 thing Mary, and I don't think you're there yet; you're dealing with a lot of issues at the moment so maybe you could put the idea on the back burner until you find its do-able for you.

I've gone past the 27/9 point now; I first got rid of a lot of things that I didn't like and a lot of things that held bad memories. Then I let go of things that have no relevance in my life now (cue bbqs, spare beds and duvets, extra china etc that wont be needed since my dd and family emigrated, computer software and programming books and finally my work suits and blouses). There seems to be a small hill ahead of me now instead of a huge mountain! :j

I'm now at the stage where I'm just generally simplifying my possessions. I've been trying to whittle my books down to fit on one bookcase but it just isn't happening. I've got rid of so many quite easily, but now I've decided to pack the small surplus away in a crate for 6 months and see how I feel about them then. Simplifying isn't about getting rid of things you love!

mary43

Theres so much stuff I can easily get rid of as there's no memory attached - its just surplus stuff.............I mean, how many plates does anyone need ? Not the vast number I've got..................trouble is so many have been given and when I'm offered something for free I find it hard to refuse...........lol
So, there are surplus plates in three cupboards in the kitchen.........not chocka block full, but a dozen or so in each...................lol
MIL have us some pretty oval ones but they're quite fine porcelain type and not everyday stuff, plus to be honest they're not very big so think they'll have to go.
Am making a date in my head to take Dads sheet music to the music shop in town - if I get a few quid for it (doesn't matter how much or little) I can either save it or treat myself to some little thing from Dad to me.........he'd have liked that.
But today, I have to say, I've been totally idle.........though I have printed a lot of history stuff off.............every day there's something new on my home town site lately and its so interesting to read.
Mind you, looking at my desk that currently houses two retro sweet boxes that just need finishing off and three wine bottles waiting for me to decant some cheap bubble bath into them for pressies..............not to mention free cure for nappy rash I sent away for to send to my grandson..................lol
Still have Mums day card to do for my Mum...........did it last week and it went a bit wrong........... Then I'll start on Easter cards plus youngest sons Birthday cards...............really must draw up a timetable - better still, stick to it.......................lol

Busterollie

DAY TWO


Today's task was to clear a cupboard BUT I ended up sorting and cleaning my collection of M & M's figures that sit on the top of the kitchen cupboards. However, I have removed the duplicates and placed these in the garage for a boot-sale some time. Sorted a few items for a charity shop and some magazines to give to my Mum tomorrow when I see her.

LIST
9 M & M's to garage for boot-sale.
13 items to a charity shop - will deliver tomorrow
5 magazines to pass on to my Mum
27 items in total out of the house - hurray

I think that is me done for today. :j

Ellidee

:T Thank you wmf for putting into words, so eloquently, so much that resonates very profoundly with me. Especially about limiting choice.

lilac_lady

I'm still simplifying, de-cluttering and reading this thread. I've got videos, books and other stuff ready for the charity shop. Clothes next, although I've had a small bash at them, I'll need to be more ruthless. I'm down to 3 dressing gowns now(!) and plan to tackle the jumpers and t-shirts next. My next declutter will be tins of paint that have congealed, paintbrushes that are past their best and tools that ex left that I can't identify and definitely couldn't use. One lawnmower is surplus so that'll go to my son who's not really thrilled about it but needs a new one. I didn't think that I was a hoarder but it seems that I am one. I long for the minimilist lifestyle and realise that it's up to me to try and achieve it. I'm on a mission here and feel so motivated so thanks to you all.

mary43

You;re doing well lilac lady..........and just reminded me that my congealed tins of paint are still in the cupboard in the 'junk room' (hangs head in shame!) and dressing gowns ??? I've only got one.............OH has two........now he doesn't actually need two does he ??? Must ask him about that, especially as he's just added to my empty wine bottles with two rather nicely shaped oil bottles that he thinks will be better for decanting cheapo bubble bath in !! He doesn't realise that the labels I've printed out will fit a wine bottle but not these nice ones.............so I'm going to have to do an 'image' search again..............lol
Mustn't complain............at least he's sorting out dinner for me.:j
And he's off the rest of the week and has promised me he will sort out his books over the next two days !!!!:T Result !!

ceridwen

well...everyone is getting on just fine without OP (aka moi - ceridwen). I'll go off and put my feet up.....

(SORRY ..edited out)

mary43

ceridwen - that was beautiful, such lovely images and the words say it all. If only we could live our life like that and not let 'stuff' get in the way.
Something to ponder on...............if 'stuff' does get in the way.........get rid