Simplifying Life

luxor4t

Lovely thread, Ceridwen!

This will be my 'new life' resolution - not just for the new year! Ill-health has made me simplify everything, but I can't say I have missed anything except human contact.

It was upsetting to realise how few 'friends' even sent a text message during the several weeks I was housebound - but it was also lovely to find who was prepared to maintain contact. I shall be re-organising the way I do things from now on - not necessarily dropping people but definitely changing the 'acquaintance' and 'friend' categories so that I shall have time to spend on those people who do matter to me.

Boatie_Bird

I gave up ironing a few years ago (save for odd smart shirt for DH a couple of times a year). I don't wear make-up.

Living on boat means that I can't possibly have loads of clutter in my life or lots of electric gadgets.

My aim for January is to stop smoking in the hope I'll be able to afford to drop a few hours at work and only work 4 days a week.

kippers

I have also slowly been changing my attitude since reading the old-style board. We eat better now with home cooked meals, breads and cakes. When we occaisionally go out for a meal we are always dissapointed by the food...infact the kids turned down a meal at pizza hut with some friends of mine & their kids the other day and asked me to make a home made pizza for tea instead.

I don't use hardly any chemicals for cleaning now. I have an allotment and home grown organic food really does taste better and the money i save with all of this is amazing.

We don't have the TV on as much and we all read more than we ever have.

I do fret about money still and sometimes get jealous when people have lovely houses etc...but this is my new years resolution to stop...i know money doesn't bring happiness and i can honestly say we are a very close family now and enjoy playing games etc together.

Sola

JoJoB - if you're planning on living in a yurt, you might find this book interesting:

The Last American Man

The true story of Eustace Conway who upped and left suburbia at 17 to live in a teepee and catch his own food, make his own clothes etc. He's hiked the Appalachian Trail, set a world record for riding across America, and currently owns 1000 acres of woodland where he teaches kids and adults all the old frontier skills that have been lost. It's a beautifully-written book about a very complex and driven man, and how America has lost its way - I highly recommend it.

http://www.turtleislandpreserve.com/

Hardup_Hester

Now a serious answer from me.
I'm still de-cluttering & will put more stuff on Ebay, but I'm not sure how much more I can simplify.
I don't wear makeup or nail varnish, I don't visit the hairdressers, I either wear my hair tied back or chop a few inches off when it gets too long. I still wear perfume, though I haven't bought any for years, I get given it for birthdays etc & when it runs out I go without.
I buy all my clothes from charity shops, I had £88 of M&S vouchers that I've had for nearly 2 years, so I used them on Christmas gifts. I'm dropping out of the works do next year & the secret Santa & the birthday collections & everyone is fine about it, or if they aren't they have had the good sense to keep quiet. I do still get a lot of books, but always from charity shops & then return them. I can't use the local library as it is too far to walk to. I'm walking to work all the time next year, but will keep the car in the hopes that hubby will get some work. I'm getting rid of one of the phone lines (it was here when we moved in). I won't watch TV when it goes digital, as I won't be able to afford to upgrade, and our TV is about 10 years old, I don't watch it now, but hubby does. I don't drink or smoke, but I will give up meat in the New Year & just get it for hubby. Not sure what else I can go without, any ideas?
Hester

lilac_lady

Hester, I think you're doing very well and don't think you should drop anything else that affects YOU. (unless through dire financial need) Be kind to yourself because "you're worth it".

[Deleted User]

I have always been old style everything and I am simplifying my life by getting a parcel of gorgeous ready prepared meals from time to time from cookfood.net always doing everything old style is time consuming and I am making a bit more time for hobbies

someone mentioned eating out of the pantry and that is something I will be doing as well. I have a huge stock that needs to be drastically reduced, so I will be cooking good beany meals when the christmas meats are gone

I sorted my airing cupboard out last week and cleared enough space to move guest bedding in there, so freeing a part of a cupboard

we, me and my dh, are going to make a bubble around ourselves as we are helpful and willing and consequently everyone comes running to us with community problems. Time to pass the burden on to others because some things started to stress us and spoil sleep lately. That won`t happen again because our bubble will be in place

and also read more

mary43

Just told OH about this 'simplifying' idea and the thought of me de-cluttering made him laugh. I'm such a hoarder. Got loads of memories of my Dad in boxes stacked on shelved but at least they're 'organized'. It's the stuff thats unseen I need to get rid of. I've endless folders for my family history I'm doing but I've also endless bits of paper with info on that should be in folders.
Determined...........really determined to have a thorough sort out.............if an item gives me pleasure then I should display it and enjoy it, if it doesn't then it goes.
Handbags (that I love and they're all from charity shops) can hang on a wall.
I've got six canvas strorage boxes I got from woolworths sale last year full of I don't know what............they need a good clear out. Bound to be stuff in there that I don't need any more.

Glad I saw this thread..............its really made me actually want to do it:T

teacup_2

Hi great thread . I love the start of a new year. My simplify life & resolutions are

1. De-Clutter entire house cupboards, wardrobe, kids rooms, drawers , etc etc , in the hope of becoming organised and not spending my time searching for things

2. Sort out household filing and go through all bills and try and get things cheaper ie virgin media etc etc.Swith lights etc off

3. Always do a shopping list when I go shopping and have meal plans and basic store cupboard ingredients

4. Use all my perfumes, body sprays etc etc that I have in my drawer see how far I can get into 2008 without having to buy any whatsoever!

5. Keep a spending diary

6. when I first came to this site I was a real spendy sort of person but now I dont spend much on clothes or magazines. So want to keep that up.

7. Save some money where possible as have no emergency fund whatsoever not a penny .

8. Lose a stone in weight

9. Look after myself go, for a lovely walk everyday

10. Dont worry about what people think so much ,

11. have some fun family days out and a few more treats

12. not be overdrawn everymonth

13. be lovely and never moan!

14. Count my blessings everyday and appreciate my family for who they are. Stop worrying about what I havent got appreciate what I do have. Be positive opposed to a bit negative sometimes . Find a positive spark when things arent going how I want them too.

15. Do a random act of kindness when and where I can.make someone feel nice amd me too!

ceridwen

Boatie_Bird wrote: »

Living on boat means that I can't possibly have loads of clutter in my life or lots of electric gadgets.

I've often wondered what it would be like to live on a boat - would be lovely to hear how it is for you if you ever have the time to tell us.