Simplifying Life

ceridwen

googling around to see what I can find on this topic and a couple of useful bits came up:

www.innerexplorations.com/simpletext/simple.htm

http://zenhabits.net/2007/09/simple-living-manifesto-72-ideas-to-simplify-your-life/

Aril

Well I too have continued the declutter this evening. Have been through my stationery stash this time and found all sorts of little bits and pieces eg brown paper that are just too small to do anything with and an excessive amount of cardboard. Everything's been thinned out and recycled and I've put a roll of sticky backed plastic that I've had since the small person was 18mths [now 9] onto Freecycle as all I ever do with it is move it around from one space to another.
Like Ceridwen this latest sort out has generated a mending pile and some Dennis the Menace pj tops that I have promised my son that I will make into a cushion for him. That should keep me busy Saturday afternoon.
The next project I fear will be the dreaded paperwork files. Definitely be doing that one in stages. Absolutely loathe doing filing.
Another quote if I may be so bold?
"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world."
JRR Tolkien.
Aril

ceridwen

Quote away Aril....feel free.....

and still googling away, I found a general budgeting website (not specifically simple living - but useful nonetheless):

www.betterbudgeting.com/frugalliving.htm

ceridwen

...okay I promise thats me done for the day with one last little contribution from my googling:

www.whywork.org/action/lifestyle/simplicity.html

JoJoB - think this one will appeal to you.

champys

auntymabel wrote: »

Champys

Could you take photos of some of your sentimental items and keep them in a memory box, then you can pass the actual things on someone else without feeling you're being disrespectful?

Auntymabel you have a very good point there. Of course there may be other people among family or friends who would appreciate some of these things, which is better than seeing them in Oxfam's window when passing by. I will just have to do a very thorough sorting and only keep a minimum myself. My mother has been excellent at decluttering all her life, why didn't I inherit the gene? I have just travelled up to visit her during the holidays, and even though she has Alzheimer's now she remembered to pass on to me a pile of her most cherished tablecloths, the ones my father brought back for her from work trips abroad. She's still doing it! Why can't I?

Ches

A couple of bits that you may find useful;

Receipts - I have a tin that sits on my bookcase and I put the receipts in there as soon as I return from the shops (not grocery receipts though) including the current years Christmas ones. In January I put them all in a large envelope and mark it with the year. I keep these 2 years max and then chuck without opening.

I have 2 complete bed sets for each bed. Every spring I check the linen, duvets,pillows and replace if necessary. I have 1 dozen towels that are all bath size as these fold and stack tidier and they all match and are kept on open shelves in the bathroom. I find hand towels annoying so only buy them for the downstairs cloakroom. I have only got 2 of these at the moment and need another as this is a bit tight as I need a clean one every day.

I have been trying to organise my food buying and preparation and have made 4 weekly menus which I intend to rotate but I am unsure how to shop and store the ingredients as I don't want to have to check cupboards more than absolutely necessary and some things would not need to be bought every month. Any ideas would be gratefully received.

rosieben

love that zen website Ceridwen, thanks!

tooties

Evening all,
well i feel really good having cleared out the dreaded cupboard, hubby was so impressed that we have decided to have a sort out in the attic tomorrow, cant wait!!!
although looking around the house i dont have that much clutter really i know that it is all in the attic!!!!
i may never make it back down from there!!!!!!
keep up the decluttering and simplifying life everyone
tooties

SammyD_2

My ds aged four summed it up today. He said to me "mummy, I don't like Christmas". I asked him why and he said that it just meant he got more toys which meant more tidying up that had to be done. From the mouths of babes...but did make me think!

ceridwen

SammyD wrote: »

My ds aged four summed it up today. He said to me "mummy, I don't like Christmas". I asked him why and he said that it just meant he got more toys which meant more tidying up that had to be done. From the mouths of babes...but did make me think!

:rotfl: Thats an "old" head on that ones shoulders :rotfl: