Simplifying Life

Ellidee

I feel that 'stuff' for some of us acts as a sort of security blanket. If you ever watched Dawna Walter's Life Laundry progs on the tv a few years ago there was always an emotional reason behind why people hung on to things.

Caterina

Hi all and happy New Year!

Some chairty shops are realising that selling books for £3 is not going to help (because people just don't buy them!) and I have frequently seen sales of £ for £1 or (at our local Cat Protection League) even a 20p per book sale.

I remain committed to decluttering and this morning first thing I have decluttered my mobile phone list! I know, it seems stupid, but I had loads of ex-clients, friends of my kids (that I thought I would call in case I didn't know where my kids went - but now they are over 18 so I am no longer chasing them in the night!), people whose number I kept 'just-in-case' etc...

I have only left the numbers of people that I genuinely want to talk with, some utilities, a couple of work contacts, and it feels better - it is not only physical objects that clutter our space, but also things like these unused-for-years phone numbers!

Keep up the good work, thank you all for your suggestions and the fun that this wonderful thread gives me.

Off for a walk, free entertainment and good for health too!

Caterina

ecoelle

Morning all. I was on til late last night and had trouble sleeping, thoughts were going round in my head and i had to write them down befor i could sleep. It's odd i've been aiming for a simpler life without actually using that term for it. Moved house 18 months ago, did a lot of decluttering when we moved and have tried not to add more to it. Does anyone else find that it's not them but oothers who add to it? Random gifts that you don't really want or need but that people buy you so you feel you should keep them? I'm presently watching the good llife (old BBC series) and thinking yeah, why not, why wait til i'm 40 before i do it. I read somewhere about the log makers you can buy as we recently had a log burner fitted, does anyone have one of these? There seem to be 2 sorts dry and wet does anyone know which are better?

My gooness...so many questions...sorry!
Have a very nice new years day and enjoy being simple

Clutterfree

This year I am going to be what my user name suggests I already am...!

bails

Ha ha, I love the bit about boxes from a move 7 years ago - my parents moved while I was on my gap year and so just boxed up all my stuff and put it in their garage loft; it's all still there...and that was 13 years ago!!!!! Not only that, but things have been added to it over the years, including when I split up with fiance and he boxed all my stuff. And that's before we even get to my own house!!! I know that part of the reason for not getting into my parents' loft is an emotional one but now I feel enough time has passed. It will still be a difficult process but I know that decluttering all of this and the emotions that go with it will be so liberating; finally! It's going to take me a long time though so baby steps along the way. Today I'm going to start my 'jobs in a hat' idea, all broekn up into manageable chunks. Thanks for all the advice so far, it's invaluable. Roll on a decluttering 2008! :T Didn't know there was a decluttering thread on OS too (haven't really looked in there yet) so will pop over there soon too.

Penny-Pincher!!

lilac_lady wrote: »

Charity shops will have to reduce their prices. This has been said before on MSE. I was shopping for a book and some were priced at £3 when they had originally cost £6. Is a 50% reduction on new prices fair or am I getting too stingy? If I lead a simple life I want to save while I'm doing it.

The prices around here in some charity shops are shocking:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: I do love Bootsales but most are very difficult for wheelchair users:mad:

PP
xx

jane130

Caterina wrote: »

I remain committed to decluttering and this morning first thing I have decluttered my mobile phone list!

Caterina

Thankyou , I read that and got straight on with doing mine too I actually deleted my dads phone number , he passed away over 4 years ago and I had never felt strong enough to do it as a one off thing but a part of a general cul of un-needed numbers it was ok .

mary43

Our recycling bin was emptied yesterday and I could almost fill it again with the papers I've got and don;t know why I've kept them, plus an overflowing waste basket..................going to get myself a smaller one then maybe I'll empty it more often...................lol
Now Christmas baskets have arrived I need to hurl out the bags if clothers in the spare room and get them to the charity shop (none open till tomorrow now) so despite the fact I've been de-cluttering I'm, still surrounded by 'stuff' !
It'll get done..................just take longer than I thought and I know I'll feel better for it.

groatie_queen

In similar vein to Caterina, I asked for and was given a new address book for Christmas, so that I can eliminate the dead wood from the marital address book - divorce was 4 years ago!!

As a simplifying measure, I'll write in pencil, so that when people change their mobile numbers / email addresses, or move house, it is easy to update the details. Yes, I've learnt the hard way to keep electronic info backed up to paper....

lightisfading

Okay who's up for a decluttering 'contest' today?

I have to do a tidyup today, but also would like to sort some things out to freecycle / ebay / local ad (i could really do with a few extra pennies).So far have an old tripod for the local ads (got a really good quality one reduced from £80 to £20 in september), a toy I bought for my nephew that turned out to be too young for him, a mobile phone (gone on freecycle) ... argh so much STUFF!