Simplifying Life

mary43

This sounds like a good idea for a new year resolution...........well for me anyway.

I've sat and thought about how I could make my life more 'stress free' and half my problem is I can never find anything because of all the 'stuff' I've accumulated and the reluctance to part with it.
So...........come New Year..........or maybe even before depending on how bored I get come boxing day.............I'm going to start with the spare bedroom (can't see the bed for coats and bags.........how many do I need?)
Then I'll have a go at our bedroom (OH has loads of pairs of Jeans not fit to wear) and there's stuff in my drawers that I've long forgot about......I see them and then quickly shut the drawer.
Next if the computer room/office/den..............so much clutter it looks like I've had a burglary !! Serious thinning out needed..............wondering if I should actually start here ? Maybe................then I'll feel a bit of 'success' and more able to tackle the surplus coats hiding upstairs:T

nick_b

Charis wrote: »

If you have a VCR which is capable of receiving signals, even if you only use it for watching tapes, you are still liable for a licence. Also true if your computer can receive TV programmes.:o

Not true. If your VCR is detuned and not connected to an aerial you do not need a licence. You only need a licence if you are actually receiving the signals.

carolbee

we too are trying to 'live simply'.

I have found that possessions take time out of life to sort out, cars, books, cds etc. the library for me now, as am a voracious reader and would need to live in a mansion to accommodate them all

we have disposed of one car, freeing up time from maintenance, admin of tax/insurance etc.

have come across various websites dealing with this subject, none of which I can remember!

Charis

carolbee wrote: »

we too are trying to 'live simply'.

have come across various websites dealing with this subject, none of which I can remember!

http://organizedhome.com/articles/cut-clutter

http://www.flylady.net/pages/FLYingLessons_Declutter.asp

http://www.getorganizednow.com/

Three of my favourites.

Charis

Sola

This thread is definitely topical for me. From New Year I'll be trying to do an early morning gym visit (get the 5.52 train to be at the gym when it opens at 6.30), then work 8.00 - 6.00 5 days a week; that'll continue until April at least. I'm starting a master document of all the different areas in my life to try and get organised. I have the first week in January off work so I'm going to declutter the house for starters so there's less junk to clean.

I reallty like the suggestion to use only cash.

FrenchMaid_2

I am striving towards a simpler life, which means being less obsessed about what other people think about me, doing things that please me (like cooking, baking, being a home maker), working for myself rather than someone else and reduce my impact on the environment.

ceridwen

Wow! Come back from work and logged in to see if I've had any replies - and see all these comments - and such good ones. Pleased with that!:D and duly making notes to myself.

Certainly got that tv in view - definite decision to "get rid", apart from watching dvd purposes once my area goes digital - and might well go for it sooner - as it is I dont watch tv programmes often from one week to the next (too busy spotting all those blogs!). I see I have cut down a LOT on "stuff" bought during the last year - without making a particularly "conscious" decision about it (as I keep the receipts from goods I have bought for that year in an envelope in my filing system and then chuck out the previous years envelope at the end of each year. The 2006 envelope has a lot fewer receipts in it than the 2005 one had and I'm anticipating fewer still in the 2008 envelope.
I've given up buying womens magazines (they only tempt me with all those articles about the "must-have" lifestyle anyway). I've given up nail varnish (only ever wore it on my feet anyway) - cant face the thought of looking at my aging face in the mirror without any make-up yet I admit!

So - still working on it.

Do keep up the tips - am always willing to learn other peoples tips.

Quasar

My work schedule is very erratic, so some days I work from very early in the morning until late at night. However I've become very good at time management so that I can get all my chores done as quickly as possible, thus freeing as much time as possible for "quality" living.

"Quality" living to me is being able to read a lot, socialise with friends, paint a bit (I used to paint a lot), go for walks etc. I've never had extravagant expectations, and I believe I have a very clear idea of what is important to me. A lot of money would be nice but is not necessary for me to live my ideal life. I am now trying to cut out as much pointless expenditure as possible, so as to free some funds to go and visit my family abroad once or twice per year more than I do presently.

carolbee

I wonder if it is the New year coming shortly upon us that makes us want to make changes - I know I always feel this way.

I have stopped buying magazines and have Freecycled like made over the summer.

JoJoB

I definitely don't buy as many books as I used to and certainly no cds/dvds (thankyou soulseek ).

I feel much more relaxed now i don't care so much about material things, or have managed to see that there are different ways of living than big house/car/stuff etc. Selling my flat now and got rid of 50 odd bin liners of stuff! From a small 2 bed flat that's pretty good going.

Will be moving into rented accomodation for a year then finally the really big move to a simplified life - living in a yurt.