Simplifying Life

bails

I haven't been on this thread for almost a week and, unsurprisingly, my life has become more complicated! :rolleyes: I came back here this afternoon and almost immediately felt a sense of calm reintroduced; thankyou! My focus has been sidetracked by organising and finetuning the money side of life - necessary and useful but dragging me away from this, my main purpose this year (along with getting as well as possible; the two are linked). So I'm back and am enjoying all the wonderful ideas being shared. Missy, great to see you on here; I love how our lives are following a similar path, so we can support each other in all areas

I've been feeling that life has got more instead of less complicated, partly through all the fantastic ideas I'm learning on the boards here, which has also been a bit overwhelming. So today I've finally put together the skeleton of a Household Journal and am now storing all the useful titbits - so far I've got Finances (my budget, aims for the year, MS/making tips, useful websites, ideas to try, this year and in the future, Freebies), Food (websites and tips; recipes will be separate), gardening, pets, quotes, Present List (everything I have in my Present Box so I can allocate them/cross them off as I use them). My menu plan for the month is on the fridge, along with the storecupbaord/ freeze inventory and a list of joint jobs (I'm 'sharing the load' ). I'm going to decide on a jobs timetable so we have a regular routine and also one for myself, based around my work and setting aside dedicated time slots for decluttering, finances, MSE etc (I have to limit my times on things illness-wise and am terrible for overrunning, often by hours, on here especially!).

I felt as if I hadn't done much simplifying so far this year so, inspired by something I just read on here, I've made a list of all the things I can think of I've achieved...and it's surprisingly long! :T I'm going to keep this up as a record of my achievements in this area, and to help remind me that slowly, slowly, I am getting there (I am a lists girl, what can I say?). It feels good to have something tangible, especially at the moment when you can't necessarily see the changes around the house much yet.

Off to catch up on the rest of the posts, still about 6 pages I think! Thankyou for being here - knowing there is support here definitely makes the load lighter x

rosieben

bails wrote: »

... I felt as if I hadn't done much simplifying so far this year so, inspired by something I just read on here, I've made a list of all the things I can think of I've achieved...and it's surprisingly long! :T I'm going to keep this up as a record of my achievements in this area, and to help remind me that slowly, slowly, I am getting there (I am a lists girl, what can I say?). It feels good to have something tangible, especially at the moment when you can't necessarily see the changes around the house much yet.
...

The first thing you do when you make a list is to write at the top 'Make a list' and then you can cross one thing off straight away! I love lists! I have lists of lists!

I've been re-working my household notebook this afternoon, its useful to look at how its working and how it isnt. I'm using a lever arch file now as my ring binder was getting too heavy! :rolleyes:

When you're working out your schedules and things to do dont forget to add some time for yourself, even just 10 minutes if thats all you can manage, to pamper yourself, sleep, read or just have some quiet time alone; its very important. I often used to feel I was running all the time just to stay in the same spot. I've found a few minutes quiet gives my mind time to catch up; its during this time that I find I have the best ideas on how I want to shape my life

rosieben

I forgot to say Bails, what a good idea to write a list of our achievements on the road to simplicity, I shall try to do that this weekend

bails

rosieben wrote: »

Our library is quite small and they rarely have any of my wish list on the shelves but they've been so helpful ordering things in for me. I've now discovered how to reserve and renew books online and its great as I have a short bus ride to get there; makes life so much easier.

Incidentally when I joined I was told that as I am disabled and on benefits I dont pay reservation fees or overdue fees. And also that if I had difficulty getting books back to the library they would make arrangements to get them collected. I dont know if that's just our branch being extra helpful or if its a standard thing? My disability doesnt stop me getting to and from the library so wont apply to me but may be helpful for others?

I'm just so impressed with the friendliness of the staff and good service so :T to the library service!!

Thanks for this Rosieben, I didn't know this and do get charged so will ask next time I'm in!

huxley

So many posts to catch up on:j needed to get back on here though it helps remind me all the reasons why I want to simplyfy my life. I had never heard of the tv programme mentioned but can remember scrimpers, pennywise and I use to get the Penny Pincher Paper by John and Irma Mustoe and mmmmm confession time still got alot of them and no matter how much I declutter can't part with them:rotfl:

Aril

No decluttering done here today [that's on Sunday's list:D ] but did keep to my resolution and resisted temptation at the 10p book sale they had in the library. I indulged my book habit instead by buying a book in the charity shop as a present for my sister!! I have to say today has not been the day for reorganising/rethinking big things as my perfectionist alter ego [which I usually can keep at bay these days] has been giving me a hard time so I'm trying to be kind to myself whilst I get back on top of my game.

Through the discussions of simple living books on this thread I have gone back to my copy of "Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It's an American book and some of the sentiments are perhaps a little too syrupy for me personally at times but there are some very good entries [it's done on a day by day basis] which give you food for thought [it's not a practical this is how you live simply kind of book]. It's crammed full of thought provoking quotes and the following is my all time favourite and one I return to every time my depression threatens. It's got me through many a rough time!
All shall be well.
And all shall be well.
And all manner of things shall be well.
[from memory it's by St Julian of Norwich who was a 14th century hermit. The quote may be several hundred years old but the sentiment applies as much now as it did then.
Aril

PS Another thought [2 in one day....steady!!] with all this talk of repurposing Queenie started a fabulous thread on double duty which is all about finding more than one use for an object. Perhaps some very kind person could post a link for me.

mary43

Bails - It's still taking me a while to get myself organised but with all the help on here I do feel I'm getting somewhere and the world won't come to an end if it's not all not straight away will it. Now I've got my varioys journals sorted I feel I'm getting there and when I cross something off thats been done I get quite excited (much to OH's amusement..........lol)
Like the idea of noting down achievements........a good booster to the self esteem just when you feel you're going round in a circle -like I do at present....lol

posted by ceridwen
and for the times when life gets a bit much - abandon all planned tasks and go into my Quiet Room with soft music/candles for a chillout session.

How very important this is. It's oh so easy to forget about ourselves.:T

bails

Making time for resting/ enjoyable things/pampering is key to my recovery (I have M.E/CFS) so this is something that has to be a priority. Sometimes though, when I make that time for myself, I find it very difficult to think of something I want to do; yet, when I am busy with things that need doing, I can think of loads! So along the lines of the 'jobs in a hat' approach, I'm going to make another one for fun stuff so I can be inspired when nowt comes to mind. This is especially important for me I think as almost all my 'fun' pre-illness involved being very active (moutain biking, kayaking, climbing, running etc etc) and it is still very difficult to find alternatives that I love.

I have just been feeling that my list system was failing (again - I have tried endless ones!) and up pops the idea for arranging things into time slots; brilliant! :T Particularly pertinent for me, so I'll give that one a go, thankyou!
I've caught up now and feel so much calmer/ at peace. Thank you everyone x

mary43

Likewise Bails......youre not on your own there I'm sure. I often decide that for an afternoon I am going to do a particular thing -card making just for an example, then when the time comes I've gone right off the idea and can waste ages trying to think of something else...........by then the time I allocated myself has almost gone !
I need to get my brain into some sort of routine............I'm getting there and at least this morning I made some cards as I'd promised myself I would and crossed of my list who they were for.
I want to work out a sort of 'leisure timetable' and maybe stick to that.
When I did water colours I went to classes so I knew every Tuesday afternoon that time was mine and I'd be doing something I liked. Now I don;t go any more I dont do it..........although I must.........my sons birthdays in april and I promised him something in watercolours by then.
Maybe its because its January and we all get so busy with the urge to organise things for a new year we somehow get a bit lose ourselves.
It'll all come good.............and if you can't think of something you want to do then just relax .................:A

rosieben

Aril wrote: »

All shall be well.
And all shall be well.
And all manner of things shall be well.
[from memory it's by St Julian of Norwich who was a 14th century hermit. The quote may be several hundred years old but the sentiment applies as much now as it did then.
Aril

PS Another thought [2 in one day....steady!!] with all this talk of repurposing Queenie started a fabulous thread on double duty which is all about finding more than one use for an object. Perhaps some very kind person could post a link for me.

Thats a beautiful quote, thank you Aril

Here's Queenie's thread, havent read it properly myself

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=43619&highlight=double+duty