One step at a time

Ms_Potato_Head

Hope the new meds and WFH help steady your health.

I did a similar thing a couple of years ago in scaling back from the 'endless scroll' and I felt totally refreshed by it mentally.

MPHx

rtandon27

Well done on cutting back the social media and deleting apps! Some time ago, after uninstalling several apps, I turned off all my notifications for the apps I needed to keep and feel so much better for it! It's such a nice feeling when your thoughts are your own!

sunshineli

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81876209#Comment_81876209

Thank you. That’s a good way to do it. I think eventually I will implement some sort of strict limit as to how much I can look at the news

sunshineli

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81876300#Comment_81876300

Thank you. It has really made such a difference not using social media. I’ve spent a lot more time reading books!

sunshineli

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81876814#Comment_81876814

Thank you. I totally agree, I don’t know how to adequately describe it but I feel like there is so much more space in my mind!

sunshineli

I’m not back in work until Thursday this week as I had some annual leave to use up. I had intended to go to the hospital today to pick up my new medication, and go into town for a mooch but I didn’t sleep too well last night so I decided against going in. I’ll try again tomorrow! I also have some admin jobs to do like going to the bank. Fingers crossed for some more energy tomorrow.

I started the day with some gentle strengthening exercises as prescribed by the doctor, and then I just mostly read my book. I managed to finish my book and I have now started a new one this evening (free e-book through Amazon Prime). So a pretty MSE day. I should also mention I got Amazon Prime for a couple of months to use over Christmas, and because DH and I had a tv programme we wanted to watch on Prime TV. Prime wont be getting renewed at the end of this month so I am trying to read as many free books now to get my moneys worth out of it.

I also did the online Tesco shop for the week which came to £57.16. This includes £5 of chocolate for me for Valentine’s Day which will be coming out of DH money. It also included some baking ingredients. Not too bad and all within budget.

sunshineli

I managed to make it into town yesterday on the bus and it was a productive day. Firstly I went to the bank to finally change my accounts into my married name. I also had a little look around the shops as I have been meaning to buy some new jeans for a while. I had budgeted £30 for the jeans but I ended up finding a nice pair in primark for only £16. I did also buy some scented tea lights and room spray which was an impulsive spend of £8. Oops. It is however within budget for ‘personal spends’ this month.

I also bought some matcha latte coffee pods which cost me 59p since I had a £5 voucher to use at H&B. I’ve never had matcha before so I hope I like them. Overall it was a bit of an expensive day, but otherwise I haven’t spent much else whilst being on annual leave so I feel okay about this.

I then went to the hospital to pick up my new medication and got stuck in the pouring rain whilst walking over there. Annoyingly the usual footpath was closed so I had to take a big detour to the hospital which left me feeling really drained afterwards as the walk was much longer than expected. I had overexerted myself and I felt annoyed with myself afterwards.

Once I had got home I settled down with a decaf coffee and my book, and stayed there for the rest of the day. Today is my last day before I return to work so I have been doing more resting and reading. Luckily it is just a two day work week until the weekend.

sunshineli

I’ve been looking online for a holiday lodge to stay in for my birthday in July. 3 nights in the Lakes is looking the best part of £1000!! Yes it’s July but not the school holidays. I can’t believe how expensive things are.

seventh88

just catching up with your last few posts - sorry to hear your health has worsened and I hope the path to new meds is as smooth as it can be. Well done on keeping going with low or no-spend days and relaxing/cheap hobbies like reading, it sounds like that’s working well for you. I hear you on the news and social media - I limit my intake of both to try and stay ‘a little bit’ informed but also keep my sanity. I can recommend The Happy News (quarterly physical newspaper, £4.99), which shares only positive news to skew the balance and shuns the idea that only bad news sells. Take care, rest up and well done.

sunshineli

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81882559#Comment_81882559

Thank you @seventh88. I have heard of the Happy Newspaper and I used to follow them on social media, but I haven't had a physical copy before. I will look into this further as I think it would do me good.