A Simpler Life 2018

We donated/sold 70% of all our belonging about three years ago, including our TV. That really simplified life. I can honestly say our house is tidy 80% of the time, without me having to do much tidying.

I also think there are other, small (and seemingly silly) things you can do, like:
-unsubscribe from all mailing lists so all your emails are personal/important - or use Unroll.Me to digest the,
-write to companies that send you things by post and cancel
-stop seeing people who bring nothing but negativity
-reduce your commitments so you're only involved in things worth your time, and that are meaningful to you
- create a basic list of easy meals (few ingredients, short time) that are wholesome, frugal and freeze well. Display in kitchen.
- create a capsule wardrobe (thoroughly recommend project 333) of very few clothing items to eliminate the need for overwhelming choice on a day to day basis
- similarly only keep books and movies that have meaning/you are 100% committed to reading again. Less clutter and less obligation to spend time on them.
- try unplugging the telly for a few days and see if you can do without it
- we sometimes have secular 'sabbaths' where we prep food the day before and have no work and no electronices for a full 24 hours. Just chatting, board games, walks. Connecting as a family and fully unwinding.
- try camping for your next holiday
- we don't buy snacks - apart from nuts and fruit - or fizzy drinks. Meals are three times a day with an apple or bit of bread if you're peckish.

I am definitely going to try switching the TV off unless there's something specific we want to watch, it's a real time waster. My problem with this is OH; if he walks into the sitting room he puts the TV on, it's a reflex reaction! He will then look at cricket scores or flick through and settle on the least awful option like 2008 Homes under the hammer or Escape to the country somewhere we would never go, then goes out to the garden, leaving it on. Drives me nuts!!
Thanks for all the suggestions.

Disability means that allotmenting and gardening is out of the question for me.

I have a REAL problem with books....I used to have 6 book shelves...moved house and downsized to 4...moved house again a year ago and had to downsize...so I now have 3...and they are overflowing!...I have had a clear out - they certainly look neater...I could never get rid of all my books...some of them are very old and very dear friends!

From next year there is a strict rule with DVDs....no MORE!!!!....I have a share in an Amazon Prime subscription, and get more than enough films and TV from that! (And thankfully I only have Freeview TV....no cutbacks needed there!)...and once a month I will sort through the DVD shelf and be honest about what I will never watch again...I reckon 25% to 50% will be gone after 12 months!

I actually think that a few investments can make the simple-life easier...a slowcooker is brilliant...and pays for itself in next to no time...and a stick blender. ....I cannot understand people BUYING soup!...I made a batch today, curried carrot and parsnip...lovely big mugful for lunch and the rest portioned up for the freezer.....and always go for wonky veg...or use the market stall.....(why buy a Styrofoam tray with four carrots, covered in clingfilm...when you only want 2 carrots and have no use for the Styrofoam or clingfilm???!!!

Learning to knit was a brilliant idea for me!....Firstly it makes me still feel useful (I can no longer work)....and also the market sells woolly hats for £5 and I made a hat and gloves for half that!

I must be about 10 years since I last ate a takeaway!....I do enjoy pizza...and really love a curry....but have homemade...(and freeze curry as my homemade takeaway!)

Lots of lovely ideas!
To those of you who don't garden because of a disability, can I suggest that you consider a raised deep bed, or 'table top' to grow herbs, some salad stuff and greens? I should have said that my deep bed is raised so I can deal with it easily. But please, it is only a gentle suggestion that may be useful, as salad and greens are so expensive!

Also, it my be obvious, but sort your clothes carefully. I have made my own clothes, on and off since i was 11, and making nearly all of them in retirement is a hobby that gives me a lot of pleasure. Now, every new item is carefully made, so represents an investment of time and effort as well as money.
I have been known to change my clothes 3 or 4 times a day, so that I am always wearing the oldest and most worn that I can get away with! If I put on something nice to go out, I will usually change it the minute I get back. But I have to say that sometimes I look at my wardrobe and think it is full of clothes that have the invisible labels 'for the garden' & 'wear around the house'.

I am a keen freecycler / freegler and library user. But sadly our appalling county council is almost certain to close all of the libraries within any reasonable distance in my rural area. Even taking the bus won't be easy as there is no direct bus to any of the places that are keeping their libraries, and the cuts mean that changing buses involves a lot of waiting. The town we usually take our car to for shopping will have its library closed, so we shall have to consider a special trip of 10 miles (20 round trip) and we're not sure it will be worth it.

Thank you MandM90 for the unroll link, I've always gone through my emails and unsubscribed manually which takes forever!!

I'm in agreement with this thread and would love to follow and join in too if you don't mind SimpleLiving?

I have made some steps towards simplifying my life already the last couple of weeks. I've cancelled Netflix (intending to read more - with books from the library which I've also recently rejoined).

For my birthday I received a little shelf greenhouse for my birthday which I plan to grow herbs and spices in and a hand blender with the intention of doing more soups etc. (instead of buying lunch from the expensive hospital shops at work). Takeaways and convenience food is something we really waste a lot of money on through a total lack of meal planning.

Me and my partner are hoping to start a family next year so if we can save a bit of money, simplify and get more of a routine in place now then it'll certainly help