Simplifying Life

icandream

I've only just stumbled on this thread, and I'm inspired to post (hope nobody minds, as I've not posted on it before) because it is so relevant to what I've gone through recently. My house feels so cluttered and full of unnecessary stuff, I feel I'm drowning, but I've not known where to start. Frankly I wander around like a goldfish in a bowl, moving stuff from A to B and back to C again, constantly thwarted by my wonderful kiddies!

However, huge thanks to all of you. I feel inspired. And I'm going to start in a small way - am heading off to my unused shoe boxes pile right now to sort out what can go. The quotes have really helped - I've not read the whole thread, as it's so long, but what I have picked up has helped me immensely to feel I can face it.

Fingers crossed - off I go! But I just wanted to thank all of you. Big hugs. x

ceridwen

rosieben - theres loads of Quaker literature available to read for free on the Web (havent noticed any "entry fees" on owt I've spotted to date). There is a huge site at:

www.quaker.org

(you might like to scroll down to the heading "Writings of Historical Friends" for a scan - but theres loads on there - you could vanish for weeks - bit like MSE actually then lol!) Just off to look up the word at very end of (long) list of links - describing it as a "multifarious" religion. Thinks - not come across that word before - lol.

icandream - this is an all-inclusive thread (as in everyone welcome). Good luck with the decluttering - and then, when you've made some headway with that - you might have some time available to start reading this thread from the beginning - lol! as someone said earlier on my thread - words to the effect of "send out the rescue party if I'm not back after 2 days".

JoJoB

The Quakers are ace! First religion to regard women as equals, doing away with the necessity for "giving away" at marriage etc, and certainly the most tolerant re homosexuality (attitude being love is love whoever it is between). I too feel a pull towards the meeting house, but never quite get round to it (ditto for meditation and other good practise lol - maybe silence is scary?).

I've read a lot of Quaker literature though and they are good dudes.

icandream

ceridwen wrote: »

icandream - this is an all-inclusive thread (as in everyone welcome). Good luck with the decluttering - and then, when you've made some headway with that - you might have some time available to start reading this thread from the beginning - lol! as someone said earlier on my thread - words to the effect of "send out the rescue party if I'm not back after 2 days".

Thanks so much Ceridwen. I will read the thread, as the spiritual suggestions are a bonus to find on MSE. I know it's all-inclusive - but I've only just found MSE, and I'm not a forum poster at all (haven't been in the past, anyway). It always feels scary, as it so feels that the same names crop up and you guys all know each other so well. Anyway, I have got to page 6! Took about an hour!!! LOL But thanks to all for making a newbie feel so welcome. And inspired! :T (This thread is certainly a lot less aggressive then some on MSE.)

The first declutter went well. I now have 9 pairs of shoes for the charity shop. It makes me sound like Imelda Marcos, but that's simply because I've hung onto them for years. The question is, I have a pair of bridesmaid's shoes (from when I was fully grown, not when I was a young gal!) and my wedding shoes. I will never wear them again. (They are white, for goodness sake.) Is it really worth keeping them, or will I feel better for getting rid? It's not as if I take them out once a year and sit and stare romantically at them - I just look at the state of them and think, gosh, I really didn't have much money then, did I! :rotfl:So shall I get rid - do you all keep things like that?

JenniO

I think everyone is different in how they declutter but I remember a phrase that I use that goes something like:

Only keep what you find to be beautiful, useful or of strong sentimental value


It works for me! Sometimes I have let go of nicer things to charity because I figure I'd like someone else to enjoy having it too.

mary43

icandream - good luck with the de-cluttering...........you sound like you're doing ok so far............lot better than me at the minute !
I had every intention of ploughing into our 'junk room' and clearing out the drawers (forgotten whats in half of them) then one of the boys I care for got sent home from school with a 'headache'..........endless phone calls to organise transport to collect him as there's no bus route and now expecting dispute between him and the other boy about a playstation game (or is it 2) that have disappeared !
So, junk room has been shelved for now but I have got around to filing paperwork away, writing some letters and sending some photos of grandson off to my nephew. Ex foster girl brought back the wedding photos we took that she'd borrowed.........one is really lovely and I want to copy that to send to my Mum............thats on my list of 'stuff to do' for tomorrow when I go into town..
Worked out an idea for mothers day card for Mum incorating photo of her mother as well so need to get that sorted out otherwise I'll be all behind myself.
First 'counselling' appointment is on Thursday to talk through all sorts of stress related stuff going round in my head...........Friday.......town hall to have photo done for new bus pass that will take me here there and everywhere - well not quite....................lol
So, junk room might not be cleared.............yet........but I have a very organised list. Must just make sure I stick to it.

Charis

ceridwen wrote: »

rosieben - theres loads of Quaker literature available to read for free on the Web

Ceridwen, have you seen the web page for the alternative Quaker Universalist Group?

http://www.universalistfriends.org/index.html

Coincidentally they emailed me this morning with details of their 3rd 'Reader' (as shown on that page) I only get an email from them about every couple of months. It looks like the very kind of thing I love to read and I would have ordered from Amazon without thinking, once upon a time. Now, however, I have found that it is cheaper (and in addition had no postage costs) from the Book Depository

http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/WEBSITE/WWW/WEBPAGES/showbook.php?id=1878906828

Every book I have checked lately is cheaper there than Amazon. Curiously Amazon links to the book depository show a lower price still?? I haven't ordered it anyway. I am being very good and it has gone onto my 'thirty day' list. :A If I still feel the same about it in thirty days I will go ahead and get it. If, after reading it, it does not become one of my limited collection of 'classics', I will give it to our local Quaker group. I must make the time to go back there on Sundays, they are a lovely group and radiate peace.

Charis

mary43

At last.................made a small start on our junk room ! Opened a couple of drawers and found a candle making kit (charity shop find) and a load of used candles - I had all good intentions of creating my own and never got round to it. So I phoned an ex foster boy and he's thrilled to bits he can have the whole lot. Means I'll have two clear drawers and I feel good that I've found the right person to have the candle stuff. He's slowly recovering from mental health problems and I'm sure this will help.:j

(also found gardening apron and decorating apron...........unused. Thinking that if I hang them up so I can actually see them I just might just them............lol)

ceridwen

JoJoB - yes, silence can be scary to some people. It entirely depends on where "their head is at". Many many people nowadays arent used to silence. Goodness knows - it is something that is getting increasingly difficult to get in our noisy society. Many of us have to put up with constant traffic noise/being near aircraft flightpath/living near noisy neighbours/etc - and it almost feels sometimes like this basic human right and necessity is a luxury. Hence many people arent used to silence and dont realise the rejuvenating properties it has. Personally - I regard it as vital and wish it was the norm in our society (apart from the natural noises - which I DO like - of birds/water/wind/etc - and gentle music of my choice sometimes). Personally - I often find that it is in silence that wisdom comes - it becomes clear what to do/what to think/what to feel about a situation. Mega-decibels NEVER EVER have had that effect in my personal experience.

icandream - a fully-rounded person realises that life is about more than, as the phrase puts it "in getting and spending we lay waste our days". Its got to be. What would be the point of just earn money/spend money/earn money/spend money on and on in an endless cycle ad infinitum...there has to be more to life than that...

Re the fact that some of us obviously know each other pretty well by now - well, yes, I guess so....but we all have to start somewhere....and we just dont do "exclusive/clique/put up the barriers here"....none of us do. New people are more than welcome at any point believe me. Anyone who has something useful/interesting/enjoyable/humorous to contribute at any point....then we will all take an interest and have a looksee. As regards the aggro that often seems to come up on other Boards - at the very least, at a purely practical level - what on earth would be the point? What purpose does aggro serve? None whatsoever. We cant be doing with aggro - we would rather share information/amuse each other/inspire each other/make friends. We can all lose our temper sometimes - and that certainly includes me - as we are human. But to go in for gratuitous aggro - what on earth is the point? By now...I have come to realise that there are some people (thankfully not that many) who seem to thrive on aggro and will do their best to create an environment around them that is full of aggression/hassle/etc....I guess it gives them an adrenaline "rush" or something....but I am just not interested in that and nor are most of us. Even Jesus (way back when) lost his temper....in a good cause....but it would have been in a good cause....and not a constant feature (as it would appear to be with some people).

Charis - Nope I hadnt seen that link. Will have a looksee. Ta.

mary43 - you go gal....as stated by someone earlier in my thread - you are obviously a "giver" - and the world could do with a lot more of them.

Ellidee

:T Lovely post as usual Ceridwen - thankyou. I have a book where I write quotes and poems that I like. Will have to look some up and post them. I like to change my siggy now and again so have used some of them for that.