Slow Living - Doing It Old Style!

Cherryfudge

May I join you? I went off work with stress early in 2023 and finally handed my notice in months later, finishing in November. 2023 was a much slower year for me and I can see I've benefitted, though I'm sad that I've had to decide the pressures of the job were too much for me.

I have a relief post now, but no offers of work in the coming term. My husband works three days a week, so we have some income, but I'm looking for more hours - possibly in another relief post, but I'm also looking at training so I can be self-employed.

Generally, I'm loving this slower life, but now that my sick pay has ended, we will soon be either eating into savings or drawing some of DH's pension. As we're both six or seven years off pension age, I'd rather not do that. Most of me is not ready to retire!

We've never had a huge income, and I think we're fairly low maintenance, though a few years of double income no kids has got us into some less frugal habits! Cooking is mostly from scratch (it was one of the activities I chose to steady myself while working with a counsellor last year, but I've always enjoyed it). I want to get rescue chickens, though that's a bit of an indulgence as we don't eat many eggs and I've heard that chickens cost more than they save! We are entirely self-sufficient in blackberries, but otherwise the garden is under-used and I hardly know where to start on veg growing, though I'd like to try.

I've been reading the posts so far and I love some of the phrases people are using about intentionality. One of my themes, going into this year, is about curating: curating my soul, my environment and my appearance. This last not because I'm very bothered about how people view me, but because I noticed it affects how I feel if my nails are nice or my hair is shiny. Soul and environment are more important to me - that's the strength of being sixty!

So I'm hoping to follow along and live less acquisitionally, if there's such a word. I buy too much car boot treasure and too many yellow-stickered foods, so I need to moderate those and curate the things I value and already have. I'm quite good at making do and mending, and I want to build my practical skills: be 'renaissance woman', in a quiet way.

That's all just thinking aloud, feedback is welcome as there will be things I've not thought through.

By the way, I use an Instant Pot to make yogurt and I get through quite a bit. I get the best results when the fortified milks are on mark-down. They seem to make a thicker yogurt with a really nice texture.

leftatthetrafficlights

Welcome @annieb64, @joedenise, @weenancyinAmerica, @Floss, @zedonk, @zcrat41, @Katiehound and @Cherryfudge 😁 

So, I was awol most of Sunday and yesterday as dh had things he wanted to do so I put my plans on hold (although I did get a walk in and did day 1 of YWA Breath which was lovely 😁) I also cooked enough food for the next few days (again, not what I planned but stuff that needed using up) and did some of the inventory so I'll do the rest of that over the next couple of days... I harvested some salad leaves from the garden along with some parsnips and a few potatoes and finally got the garlic planted!! 

Despite the past few days being completely off piste, I've had a really lovely few days and feel much more connected with my life as a result 😁

One of the things that has previously been an issue for me is sleeping - the problems started when I hit perimenopause - and I frequently wake up at ridiculous times and can't get back to sleep. Normally, I lay in bed trying to get back to sleep but end up just getting resentful or annoyed, or I get up, go in the spare room to watch TV etc. It's not been good for my mood (or sanity!! 🤦‍♀️).

Anyway, yesterday morning, about 2.30am, I wake up but instead of getting angry or resentful about it, I decided to be present in the moment- I noticed how the cool air from the open window felt on my face, the softness of the sheets on my skin, the pressure of the duvet on my body etc. Next thing I know I'm waking up and it's 6am!! 🙌😁 Total result and did the same thing this morning at about 3am with the same outcome 🥳 It may not work every time, but letting go of that feeling of annoyance and being aware of (and enjoying) the sensory experience gave me a real sense of peace. It was a revelation for me and more evidence that being in the moment brings me joy.

Today was going to be a home spa day for me (Tuesdays have been designated as my home spa days as its normally the only completely 'free' day that I get) but as I'm not having my grandbaby tomorrow I've decided to do tomorrow instead and just have a day of pottering today. It's my first day alone in 13 days and I just want to take the time to breathe. I'll still do my daily routine but it will be spread out and not necessarily in its usual order. 

Right, I'm off to do some other stuff, I'll be back later with food piccies from today 😋 

Slowdown

I’m loving this thread. It’s so lovely to see lots of people heading in the same direction. 

I am currently reading a book about applying the philosophy of the Stoics (Epictetus, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius) to modern life. It is really helping me to stop and think. The basic premise is you can only control your character, your actions and your reactions. If outcomes are not in your control you can only try your best and see what happens. 

Another excellent resource for anyone who overdoes things due to anxiety (as I do) and wants to slow down is an Australian website called The Centre for Clinical interventions. Great info on a variety of mental health issues and worksheets too. 

Not such a slow day ahead for me but I have planned a walk and a 30 minute read on the sofa to keep me balanced. 

Happy Slowdown Day everyone. 

🙂

Thevalueofless

Today's and yesterday's time for me has been to get back to the gym after over a month of finding reasons and making up excuses not to go. I ache, but I feel good. I have also enjoyed catching up on the posts here and on other MSE groups I have joined, namely the 2024 Grocery Challenge to help me with keeping to a budget and use up what we have and a No Spend Day challenge to make me think about what I am buying - I have set my target at 10 NSD.

I'm a good planner but I often need  help to stick to my plans!

TVOL

Cherryfudge

Confession time - some not entirely planned spending that I could have avoided, as we had a browse round some charity shops as a way of getting out of the house and 'doing something' on the last day before DH goes back to work. Almost at once I saw a jumper to exactly the spec I'd wanted for a while, then later, a beautiful Christmas jumper and a 'posh' baking tray. £15 spent.

In the interests of actually curating things I own rather than just acquiring them, all are washed and, once the jumpers are dried, all will be put away. I've even noted and filed the receipts. Go me. Just the small matter of having added to possessions to ignore now...

leftatthetrafficlights

@Cherryfudge - it's a process not an instant fix so don't worry! 😉 on the plus side, despite the spending and acquisition, purchasing from a CS is so much more sustainable than other choices so it's a balancing act! 

Today has been a total decompression day for me - I've had to 'people' for the last 13 days and I find that incredibly hard so really needed today!! 😳 I feel so much better for it and ready to move forward now with all I want to do. 

Food today consisted of one main meal - just wasn't feeling food until tonight...plate consists of steamed carrots and parsnips;   roasted green peppers with onion, olives and garlic; roasted red peppers; mashed swede; harissa roasted cauliflower; mixed grains cooked in stock (rye, barley and oat groats); scarlett runner beans; a variety of home grown salad leaves; black grapes and balsamic vinegar-I've only eaten half of ot so the rest will be munched for brekkie!! 😁

weenancyinAmerica

I have been checking out books on Hygge. I finally found out where the library was hiding them when they put on a display (158.1 in the Dewey System). This is the time of year I want to hibernate and it doesn't even snow here.
Our Winter Reading program begins next week and I am getting books on how to slow down for my reading. 

gill5blue

Morning Slowers,
I went back to work yesterday and worked at a slower pace to normal.
no spend day too. ££
took dogs for a swim in the river.
then fixed a fence that the wing blew down.
Have a great day. 

Smudgeismydog

Left at the traffic lights your plate of food looked delicious!

First day back in work yesterday, it was in the office, and has really cemented my decision about finishing work. I felt exhausted, but took myself off to the gym last night (which was packed), only spent an hour there. I did feel better for going and slept well last night, so I’m sure it helped. I also read your comments about sleeping left at the traffic lights, and it’s something I’m going to try 👍

I have been messaging some friends over the last couple of days to wish them Happy New Year, and to also arrange dates to meet up over the next couple of weeks. As noted, one of my goals is to nurture friendships as I know social contact is important for my well-being, and this will become even more important once I’ve left work.

Working from home today, I plan to get some food shopping done, post 3 Vinted parcels and walk the dog in the saved commuting time. 

Katiehound

Wimbledonwomble said:

Hello all
 . Does anyone have any tips on yoghurt making ? I've never tried so not sure how to start. I love natural yoghurt with fruit but it's so expensive.  
 

Before you splash out on a yoghurt maker you might want to experiment
.It's possible to make yoghurt in a slow cooker, a thermos flask or even in the oven! Just google to see the possibilities. You do however need a sugar thermometer because temperatures are quite critical- you don't want to kill the culture!