topic Re: Simplifying Your Life in Community Chat

Simplifying Your Life

jubilant — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 17:52:02 GMT

This is not a real long video. For those that are interested in doing this, I think this is very straightforward and to the point. It is something I have been working on myself. I thought it might be interesting to see how others here strive to keep things a bit more simple. Are you interested in sharing what you do to keep any area of your life more simple?

I'll start with an easy one for me. I have decided two handbags are enough. One for everyday and one for a bit more dressed up. One in gray and one in black. Since I wear cooler colors these coordinate with every thing I wear. The added benefit.......It frees up a lot of space in my hanging closet organizers which is making me happy! Remember this can be about anything.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

San Antonio Gal — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:10:26 GMT

@jubilant - I've done this with handbags and shoes. I donated a bunch of shoes last year to Goodwill and just keep a low inventory of good quality ones to wear to work, etc.

I'm not one to change bags with my outfit. I use Dooney's because of the quality and classic looks. I don't have a ton of bags either.

I'd love to buy a new car, but there's nothing wrong with my Honda and there's no reason for me to get involved with paying a high car note each month.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

eddyandme — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 18:14:31 GMT

You gave me an idea, @jubilant .

I've been going through my closets and cabinets - got tons of stuff to drop off at Treasures (a local organization that supports a Christian school in the area). Now, I've got bags I love 'cause I'm "attached" to I've had them for so long, but nowadays travel light and never use them. You've made me realize since I don't use them, Im gonna "lose" them!

Re: Simplifying Your Life

FlowerBear — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 19:11:33 GMT

I am going thru each thing that I have and getting rid of stuff i dont need or want. I am trying to simplify my life too. I always donate and like to help others.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

Fressa — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:09:24 GMT

This has been my on-going project for the past two years. I am finally seeing some light at the end of the closet. I have some DIY projects going at the same time.
Eventually, it will be done. I am already seeing bare spots on the shelves and more organized spaces in all of the bathrooms and dens.

I have found two new recycle busineses for metal and electronis in additon to some charities for household items and clothing. I have found a pace that I'm confortable with and the projects are moving forward at a bettr pace for me. My goal is to be completed before Thanksfiving.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

queendiva — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:36:15 GMT

That's what I did last year. Downsized for the second time- this time without kids, as they were grown and living on their own. Still getting rid of even more "stuff", now a few items per week.

My "stuff" was stressing me out. It was "all too much" as Peter Walsh titled his book about decluttering.

I admire those who live joyfully with less. At my age I aspire to that lifestyle and I feel blessed to be working toward that end.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

Sweetbay magnolia — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 20:59:19 GMT

I don't really relate to this, no. Two of us and a dog and fishes live well in a 1,940 square foot house but have 23,000 square feet of land to garden.

We consider ourselves extremely lucky and yes, there have been times I have bought "stuff" as a salve but truly, it didn't take me long to see the fallacy. I do enjoy some retail therapy but it is usually well-managed, and I feel enhances our day-to-day.

Life is short. Live it well!

I've often said, some people find the worst of the best and stay there. That's not where I want to be.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

Oznell — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 21:20:22 GMT

@jubilant, that is such a worthwhile talk, and challenge that she issued-- thanks for posting something so thought-provoking!

I tend to sentimentalize "things", so I can well understand her feeling when she was holding her Dad's alarm clock, that he used to wind and use to get up early to support his family. It's been a very slow process for me, but over the last couple of years, I've been sorting and purging the extraneous in my life. Not without snags! You mention purses-- jackets are my downfall.

I have small collections of pewter, glass, and candlesticks, etc., that I've culled down to that absolute minimum, and continue to purge. Recently the kitchen cupboards felt my wrath! Luckily a local church's Rummage Rooms want constant donations of everything you can give for their needy clients, so we can bring things to them every few weeks, or at least once a month.

My inspiration in simplifying is "The Minimal Mom". Of course, she's at a different stage in life-- late 30's and has small children. But she's very savvy and encouraging and she tackles everything from wardrobe simplifying, to paper decluttering, to meal planning, to streamlining your possessions and house:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=nVcOfpXkWXs

Thank you for your thoughtful and timely post!

Re: Simplifying Your Life

RedTop — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 21:35:22 GMT

Yes, this is my ultimate goal, and I continue to pitch stuff left and right. At 63, I don’t feel the need to have an abundance of stuff, regardless of what it is.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

jubilant — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 22:20:26 GMT

@Oznell

Your welcome and thanks for the video. I really liked the idea of not having so many plates and dishes. It makes sense. It's just DH and I now. I bought one of those padded cloth dish mats to keep things washed up and tidy. When I'm done with the mat, I hang it to dry on the handle of my bottom freezer. It's decorative and adds a nice touch to my kitchen and hides any fingerprints on the bottom freezer. Ha! I can't see running the dishwasher just for coffee cups when we can wash them after we use them or even buy a couple that match the kitchen and add a pop of color to a counter. Like you, I think one of the hardest things is going through Grandma's dishware and trying to decide what to keep and what not to. Sigh.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

stevieb — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:06:37 GMT

I'm all for simplifying and streamlining and am working on it, so add me to the list... But I could never, ever get by with just two handbags...

Re: Simplifying Your Life

Snowpuppy — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:12:10 GMT

She never mentioned who paid for her 5,000 sq ft house and her rolling racks of endless stuff that made her happy?

Re: Simplifying Your Life

sidsmom — Sun, 21 Apr 2019 23:54:30 GMT

She sounds very, very happy!

http://www.delawaretoday.com/Delaware-Today/April-2017/This-Designer-Downsized-for-Life-and-Has-Never-Been-Happier/

Re: Simplifying Your Life

sidsmom — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:13:16 GMT

I’m middle of moving to a smaller size apartment.

No life change forcing me to move other than...just new carpet. 🙃

Whaa?

The only way I could get new carpet in my current apartment was

if I would move everything out, they replace & I would move everything

back in. My SO & friends said, ‘Just MOVE!’

Alot of my things had lots of memories, like the lady in the OP.

I’ve been slowly paring down...feels good...but I was still sad about

losing my bedroom furniture, which had a lot of sentimental value.

Just a couple days ago, I ‘released’ that feeling & it’s so liberating!

I’ll be able to do cartwheels in my closet & bedroom/living room

of my smaller apartment, without all the ‘stuff.’

I have several online people I follow on social media who lost

everything in the California fires. In the effort to make Life Half Full,

they thought of it as a chance to begin with a clean slate..

hit the reset button.

So when I’m paring down & packing boxes, I hold up a pair of

Calvin Klein Jeans, circa 1979 and 20lbs ago & I think

‘why do I keep these??’ They could be taken from me right now,

without choice...and with that, I put them in the donate bag.

They’ll make someone else very happy.

I remember that thought & good feeling...and repeat it over & over.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

catwhisperer — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:25:26 GMT

@sidsmom ...good luck and congratulations on your new move and downsizing. I am a baby boomer, raised in the 50's/60's. Lots of big furniture.

Fast forward to ten years ago. I have no furniture in my bedroom other than my twin bed and a small desk that I use for my makeup table/storage. No dressers. I use hanging shelves in the closet and neatly fold all my clothes to fit on the shelves. Works great and stress free for me.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

LilacTree — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:45:12 GMT

Believe it or not, I have folders from 2015 of paid bills. I have to ask one of my girls to bring them to a paper shredder place . . . No way my little shredder (which I bought to shred bills) could ever handle this mess!

From there it just gets worse.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

sidsmom — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 00:58:53 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:
Believe it or not, I have folders from 2015 of paid bills. I have to ask one of my girls to bring them to a paper shredder place . . . No way my little shredder (which I bought to shred bills) could ever handle this mess!

From there it just gets worse.

@LilacTree

Every little bit is a move in the right direction!

Re: Simplifying Your Life

catwhisperer — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 01:00:18 GMT

@LilacTree ...girl, you need to get rid of that mess, Seriously!

Re: Simplifying Your Life

viva923 — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 01:04:35 GMT

dh and I dumped much of our extra stuff in march we did some serious spring cleaning. Each day now, i check to see if i can dump any more of the extra stuff we own.

Re: Simplifying Your Life

LilacTree — Mon, 22 Apr 2019 01:12:21 GMT

@catwhisperer wrote:
@LilacTree ...girl, you need to get rid of that mess, Seriously!

@catwhisperer

Ha h ha . . . Yes, Cat, I KNOW !!!