Geting Back To Simplicity

[pepperdoo]

I also don't think I'd make laundry soap. I get Amish homemade soap every time I go to PA whether I want it or not. Amish friends are sure to make sure you're well taken care of:)

[lynda in iowa]

I have simplified my life by refusing to get a cell phone, or ipod, do not do facebook, messenger, etc. My hobbies are baking, going to the library, gardening and going to friends/they come here for coffee and chat or a home made meal. I don't want o message, facebook or email them, I want to SEE them! I don't shop or go to casinos. Of course, I'm 60 years old, so I can say "been there, done that, don't want to do it anymore."

[writer88]

Hi everybody -

I've just read every post on this thread. At bottom, I think everyone was talking about the same thing, just not saying it in so many words: Each of us has to find the brand of simplicity that fits. There is no One-Size-Fits-All. What brings simplicity to you might be the most stressful activity of all to me. IMHO the key in this and in many of life's challenges is to Know Thyself.

That said, what has brought simplicity back into my life is separation: Separation from activities I'm curious about but aren't what I am about (surfing news websites, or watching reality TV, for example); separation from debt (THAT was a huge simplifier in my life); separation from critical, whinny, or angry people; separation from chores I don't do well and prefer to delegate/barter (the housecleaning I've delegated to DD1 and DDS in lieu of higher rent; ironing I barter with a dear friend for help with her bookkeeping )

[Deleted]

I've been trying for a year to declutter this house. I have gone through most closets. I have boxes of childrens books and crafts supplies to donate to the church. I am a careful spender. Homegoods is one of my favorite stores. I actually get a rush walking into the store. Is that a problem? I've been so good about not buying more stuff. Less stuff....Less dusting.

[Deleted]

P.S. I need karma.

[suzwantstobefree]

I think that I fall into the category of simplifying your life through cooking, he he. I really enjoy making homemade cookies and such. This is something that I never really had time for before. And it is really nice to have a dear bf that will take all the cookies I bake Because I enjoy cooking I also make most of my meals at home. Some would see this as a time taker and not a time maker, but I feel that it is relaxing and it also allows me to eat better quality things. It also challenges me by allowing me to make the best items at the lowest prices. I also grow my own veggies in container pots. I just like to do it and I feel like the veggies produced are the best I could possibly get.

The trade off for me is cleaning my house. I hate doing it, I am not good at it, and it takes way too much time for me to do it so I have some one that comes in and takes care of that for me. What I save on food is probably spent on this

Find what you enjoy and do it - that is the best use of both your talents and your free time.

[marjar]

Jan 20, 2011 22:55:19 GMT -5 cael said:

I bake my own bread, don't shop for stuff as much as I used to (don't need more crap hanging around!), walk places when I can, enjoy nature. I've also been getting rid of lots of "stuff" in the house we have that we never or rarely use, that feeling of decluttering & simplifying your home can't be beat.

Do you feel less stressed? I'm also getting rid of stuff. Using craigslist and Ebay for some, other things I'm donating. I'm hoping once I get through the process, life will be simpler.

[bobbysgirl]

I started decluttering 4 years ago. It was the best move I made in years. I have to go to the garage this spring because there's things there that I haven't used in years. I can't remember the last time I bought anything for the house (except the new bedding for what is now my bed). I am flourishing in the simplicity and like others, I choose the tasks I am good at to do as a means to relax. It is a matter of comfort levels for each of us.

[cronewitch]

I simplified by not starting things I won't finish and I seldom finish anything I start. Take sewing my own clothing, I like shopping for patterns and fabric and don't mind cutting things out but then I lose interest. I might buy fabric for several items then not finish the first or start the others. So I vowed no buying fabric until I use the fabric I have so I haven't sewn in 20 years. I know how and have a machine and some nice gray wool that is old now. Actually I have sewn I made two pillows for the couch and two for the camper because fabric had eagles. I sewed a bird bed and a cover for the bird cage but nothing with a pattern.

If I want a skirt I can buy one for less than the price of fabric and get several so I don't need to keep shopping, much simpler than sewing.

[rubyslippers]

I've simplified my life by buying clothes that don't need ironed. If you see my ironing board out, it's either for a funeral or a wedding. I hate wrapping presents and will buy pretty clearanced boxes to put gifts in when it's possible. DH and I have a system when we clean the house and it works out pretty well where we don't have to spend a lot of time doing that. For bigger projects like spring cleaning, I hire my nieces to help. I can't do everything like I used to nor do I want to. We have fun doing it together though. Like others have mentioned, I too have been trying to declutter and that is an ongoing job.

[pepperdoo]

Ok, it's time for me to get snarky: I am now going through thr 85, 000 pieces of paper Paul just "Had" to save. Oy vey, I'm in for a lengthy job, LOL

[Deleted]

Karma for you! It's all I got, sorry.

[cronewitch]

Jan 24, 2011 18:33:44 GMT -5 pepperdoo said:

Ok, it's time for me to get snarky: I am now going through thr 85, 000 pieces of paper Paul just "Had" to save. Oy vey, I'm in for a lengthy job, LOL

I do that sitting in front of baskets of some kind like rubbermaid containers. One for filing, one for shredding and one for recycle. So I grab a stack of paper than quickly toss into each basket. Empty the recycle when it fills and if the shred gets full I run the shredder and take the paper to the living room to sit by the woodstove. Shredded paper is good for starting fires.

Even an hour of this will fill lots of containers. Then you just need to start again on the filing basket and decide if you really need the electric bill from 4 years ago.

I keep old tax returns forever but you don't need to. I keep all papers from any mortgage I ever had. I keep owners manuals, wills, titles and deeds.

I don't keep credit card statements, bills or much else.

I need to empty my recycle can and do this again, mail is piling up.

[MN-Investor]

"Ok, it's time for me to get snarky: I am now going through thr 85, 000 pieces of paper Paul just "Had" to save. Oy vey, I'm in for a lengthy job, LOL"

I have been something of a paper hoarder but I've gotten better since I bought a Fujitsu document scanner (the latest version is the S1500 or S1500M for Macs - read about them at Amazon). If you plan on keeping information but want to reduce paperwork, consider it. It is really slick, relatively small footprint, scans both sides at once, has a sheet feeder, saves the files as PDF files, converting them to searchable text. Just make sure you have a backup of your scanned files on an external hard drive before you shred the originals.

[ambellamy]

I spent the weekend taking pictures and finding the fair market value of some items to take to goodwill. My fiance will be moving to the state in less than a month now, so i've been shredding, cleaning out closets, and going through all the drawers and what not to declutter as much as possible. With the bathroom, both bedroom closests (minus going through my clothes) and my bedroom decluttered, i'll start on the living room this week. (we have asmall one bedroom condo.)


I think by the end of today i'll have about $50 worth of donations, all categloged with pictures for next years tax purchases =) we aren't sure if we will be able to itemize when we are married, but I had 12,000 in deductions alone by myself last year, so its best to keep track of things just in case.

[pepperdoo]

MN Investor, unfortunately, Paul had a job that requires me to keep hard copies of all of his paperwork. I can't shred anything for at least 7 years.

But, on the brighter side, I can recycle all of the Motorcycle catalogs:)

[pepperdoo]

Thanks for all the Karma everyone:)

[MN-Investor]

"I can't shred anything for at least 7 years."

Wow!

[donkeyontheedge]

A couple of years ago I made a New Years resolution (prompted by some of the readings done in a class I teach) to stop buying anything new for me personally (I don't hold my family to this although i encourage it). It wasn't about $, although that has made a difference, it was about social justice issues that in turn have made my life so much simpler.

I was never much of a shopper but now anything I need or want I look for in thrift/consignment shops. Less stuff, fewer hassles = simplified life.