Simplifying Life

Charis

mary43 wrote: »

Every intention of doing much more then discovered the radiator in the bathroom isn't working right............its the one that should stay constant temperature all the time and now it seems to be on 'cold' where all the others are lovely and toastie. Boilers still under guarantee but knowing my luck it'll be a problem not caused by the boiler ! Ouch !!! Plumbers fees !!!

It cold be excess air in the radiator Mary. Do you have a key with which you 'bleed' the radiators at least once a year? It gets rid of the trapped air. Best done while the pump is off. If it's not that, you could ask for advice on the In My Home forum on MSE http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.html?f=39

groatie_queen

DAY 7, 27/9

With today's 27 books extracted from the eaves, hurrah! I have so far let go of 189 items this week, mainly books. I am increasingly uncomfortable that I've had this weight of stuff in the darkness above my head for so long! What was it all about?! Some of the books clearly represented where I was on my journey, others were simply dead wood both physically and metaphorically.

I am more and more determined to shine a light into every corner of my life and simplify, simplify, simplify. I like Judderman's mantra, do things little and often - it is the best way.

Well done ceridwen on your foray into the loft and the sorting out. Hope the well-earned wine has hit the spot. Mary, that's an excellent use of old wine bottles! And thanks both, and Aril, for the lovely quotes.

One unexpected find was a copy of Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, which I didn't know I even possessed - that was a shock to me! Recently I've been wishing I had a copy!! How bizarre is that? I can't remember buying it or being given it. I'm going to regard it as a gift from the angels, and will have a bath and then read it in bed.

Day 8 tomorrow takes me onto the last bookcase in the eaves. It's an IKEA cheapo which I constructed in situ in the eaves, by torchlight, with some difficulty - should have done some book culling at that stage and spared myself the expense and trouble!!

My latest prolonged tussle on the health front has persuaded me that my days of camping are over. Maybe day 9 might see me finding a new home for my camping equipment - I'll offer it to a local family support charity to enable some kids and their parents to get away to a different environment in the better weather. On hot nights here I have slept out in the garden, and I don't need a tent to do that. It's the fresh air I love, and staring up at the stars.

Wishing us all the joys of simplicity

GQ xxx

ceridwen

www.you.co.uk/pages/you/article.html?in_article_id=514785&in_page_id=1908

an update from the woman who didnt buy anything unnecessary for a year.

JenniO

Thanks to everyone! What lovely words which I wasn't expecting about my engagement news. Spent the weekend at a lovely place called the crab & lobster in Thirsk (north east england). Highly recommend it. There's a write up about it in this month's Country Living magazine strangely enough! I booked the room a year ago!

(country living courtesy of tesco clubcard points btw)

lilac_lady

Although I don't expect us all to become mega rich by following a simple, frugal lifestyle, I was pleased to read that Warren Buffett - an American billionaire who has a very respected following in the financial world - still lives in a home that he bought for $31000 in 1958. He has modest tastes and plans to leave most of his fortune to charity. 3 cheers for Warren (and a ripple of applause for us like-minder MSE-ers)

Fozz

Not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I got a really good book from the library, " Mental Strength" by Iain Abernethy. It's about trying to get out of your "comfort zone" to progress in life, and one idea I really liked was to focus on "process not product". To explain, I'll use my favourite occupation at the moment, knitting!
If you are totally focussed on the end product ie jumper or whatever you're working on, you just think of how much work you've got to go before it's finished and get discouraged. If on the other hand you focus on the "process" ie just knitting the next row, you enjoy the process and seem to get to the end faster.
I'm applying it to loads of things, and it seems to help with a lot of activities, I'm always thinking how much I've got to get done before I can sit down and relax, but now try to focus on what I'm doing and enjoy the process as much as possible.
Walking my dog has got to be a bit of a chore because no-one else in the family seems to do it, but this morning I really slowed down and enjoyed the walking and sunshine instead of rushing - I'm sure my dog enjoyed it more too!
Seem to have a bit of a thing for self-improvement books at the moment, got two more from the library,( must be 'cos spring is on the way!) will pass on any more tips worth sharing.

vivw_2

Fozz wrote: »

Not sure whether this is the right thread to post this on, but I got a really good book from the library, " Mental Strength" by Iain Abernethy. It's about trying to get out of your "comfort zone" to progress in life, and one idea I really liked was to focus on "process not product". To explain, I'll use my favourite occupation at the moment, knitting!
If you are totally focussed on the end product ie jumper or whatever you're working on, you just think of how much work you've got to go before it's finished and get discouraged. If on the other hand you focus on the "process" ie just knitting the next row, you enjoy the process and seem to get to the end faster.
.

Thanks for the recommendation. Have now added it to my lists of reservations at the library

mary43

charis -thanks for info on radiator. I told OH and he agreed thats probably what it is but the pipes are clanging about as well so before he touches anything I'm ringing the boiler people in the morning...........its still under guarantee so I want to check first.

groatie queen - you are doing really well. (hangs head in shame for not doing same)
Ex foster girl called today and asked me if I'd finished megga clear out - its her sister who's taking a lot of what I get rid of. Face reddened with embarassment as I told her I hadn't................I'd looked at shelves and stuff on them, didn't know where to start so basically - I didn't. But I've told her I'm starting tomorrow so she's holding me to that...................lol
Got a blanket box in computer room to sift through. I know some of it is xmas wrapping paper but there's other stuff as well............blessed box is full up and I can;t remember what else is in there..................lol

Rowan9

JenniO - I missed the big news!! How thrilling. I am so pleased for you. February is a good month - I proposed to OH 8 years ago on leap year (yes, he said yes and is now my DH)

Mary43 - don't be so hard on yourself - be kind and know that you do what you can. Be as kind to yourself as you would be to a good friend. You have no reason to feel ashamed for not finishing a big clear out!

Lots of very cheerful, supportive and motivational thoughts and links on here since I was here last. Thanks for all of those. I have saved the links to read when my stepson goes back later today and I can hog the computer a bit more.

Looked out a pile of OH's clothes from the lovely (not) massive (definitely) ironing pile. He is happy to let them go to the charity shop so that will be a bagful for tomorrow.

Now, who is clearing out books? Ah - groatie queen - don't feel bad about having kept the books, be glad to now let them go. We spend too long giving ourselves into trouble for not doing things sooner, rather than be glad when we do it.

We went for a walk along by the river today with our dogs- it was lovely - sunny but still frosty in shaded places. We sat on a seat and watched fishermen, then had a Fab ice lolly (yum yum) and then went to a lovely pub for a glass of wine and Kettle crisps.

Gammon is in the oven to cook and will do veg soon but I am off to have a bath!!! With candles!!! And wine!!! at 4.15!!! Yippee - this must be about grasping life with 2 hands.

Back later
W

mary43

Thanks wmf.............but I know its my own silly fault thats the annoying thing as much as anything. Still, made some sort of start ready for ex foster girls sister to have more stuff to collect. Plus I'm doing baskets for birthdays and christmas well in advance so they're not on my mind - so that's simplifying in one way. If we get a new dresser (or OH's boss's old one) then that'll give me a first rate excuse to clear the one I've got and give us a fresher look to the kitchen. Miustn't say 'if'...............it's 'when'............I'm determing we'll have one !!!
And looking at the top of a cupboard just in my eyeline as I sit here......well its so full of stuff.............can't see the wood for the trees...........photos of first hubby and first son, photo of teenage grandchildren, pebbles with funny faces (I do like them though) candle that could be passed on to someone else and a paperweight............plus other 'bits'.............maybe if I got rid of some of them I'd feel clearer in my head about where to go from there.

Then its the books..................ahh..........the dreaded books !!!! Me and OH both being as bad as each other its not the easiest of tasks.........but it must be done.............I've got books laying about I haven't read yet because there's no room for them.
Going to try the 27/9 tomorrow.............even if it means 27 books & bits combined.............its still 27 and I'll pay myself on the back...............lol