Things you've done to simplify your life

[faithfulbird20]

Less laundry and drying will be mine for this year. I used to wash everything mostly after one wear. Especially my kids clothes. Just realised no wonder our clothes don't last and look dull really easily.

Batch cook lunches on a Sunday (stuff I can chuck in the microwave at work) as well as Monday/ Tuesdays meals

Online grocery delivery - have a set list and amend the night before if needed

Monzo pot for xmas present money to avoid the December money panic

When I cook (eg. Beef casserole or curry) I make several portions and freeze.

Sometimes I use microwave rice - so I get the odd night off from cooking. Or baby potatoes and frozen veg.

A bigger one compared to your example, but making the decision to live somewhere where there is a short walk to school/ town/ local amenities.

Not ironing
Reducing meal expectations during the week and / or cooking a few meals for the week of time at the weekend
Robot hoover downstairs and a cordless upstairs

I action things immediately
An end to procrastination of any kind
Game changer

Also declutter as much as possible
Makes life so much easier

I used to buy xmas and birthday presents for kids of friends ( older kids... teens) and friends used to buy for my kids. Not people we see a lot so didn't really know what the kids liked or didn't like. Decided to call a halt to it and life became simpler..

Amazon subscription for cat food, loo roll, dishwasher tabs, laundry fluid.

I iron a few items every day whether I want to or not. The huge pile of ironing that greets me every time I go in my kitchen is no longer intimidating.

Pets at home subscription for animal food.

Getting the dc to do more housework - took a while to help them to build up skills but was worth it.

Own fewer things.

I feel a bit bad and am sad about this but I've cut loose fair weather friends.
I no longer get endless , gossipy texts and don't meet up with folk who just want to gossip and bitch. I've stopped doing Instagram and FB but check in to FB for our local neighbourhood group to keep up with local issues.

I've stopped ironing , made easier with retirement as we no longer need ' professional' clothes.

I've adopted the 'one in, one out' method regarding stuff.
So if I get two cookery books for Christmas then two existing cookery books must go.

Unsubscribe from newsletters, emails, marketing etc just be ruthless with your inbox.

Decide what’s for dinner in the morning before it comes to late your starving and can’t make up your mind and then order a takeaway.

Go through underwear draw and again be ruthless get rid of all those old bras that no longer fit yet you keep having to move out of the way. Ditto odd socks and old pants.

Don’t put Mail down deal with it. Either shread or take a photo or file.

@wizzler I need to do this with people too. Do you just suddenly decide your not going to? I love giving but the receiving can be stressful. My daughter got 2 dresses last year both had to go to the charity shop because of the material (scratchy and itchy).

I got the app Insight Timer and do bless meditations daily . It has completely stopped that sense of time rushing by, instead of “FECK is it Friday ALREADY?” , it more “ Ooh it’s only Wednesday, plenty of time”. It’s a REAL game changer for me.

De clutter. Get rid of shit.
Never iron.
Meal plan, you can’t go wrong! Shopping according to what’s on the meal plan for the week.
Clean something in the bathroom every time I go in there.
Get stuff ready the night before..clothes, work bag all packed and ready to grab and go.
Never leave a room empty handed, never go upstairs or downstairs empty handed.

I do think that ruthlessness is something to consider.
Having had to clear a parent's house was such a cathartic moment .
We exhausted the local charity shops to the point where we were told 'no more!'
The amount of accumulated stuff was extraordinary.
Maybe they were hoarders but everything was put away and had a place ( to be fair it was a large house which probably hid the problem.)

My husband and I vowed that we would never let our children have to deal with such a scale of disposal.

And no, your children don't need to have to deal with your collection of greetings cards spanning six decades! Or your collection of porcelain puppies /elephants/dancing ladies etc...

@DroopyClematis

And no, your children don't need to have to deal with your collection of greetings cards spanning six decades! Or your collection of porcelain puppies /elephants/dancing ladies etc...

Oh no not the flower fairies in my display cabinet....... I simply can't even though I do not even like them any more.. or the numerous nick nacks, and to think of it the bloody cabinet as well which used to be my pride and joy................

The basic principle is to reduce everything. Don't go to as many places, don't travel further than necessary, don't accept as many invitations, don't buy as much stuff etc etc.

For food focus on what really matters - nutrition and comfort. Repetition of favourite dishes is fine, no one needs complicated processes.

If in doubt don't buy it.

Factor in time doing nothing.

For things like last minute school dress up days - fuck it. Try to teach your kids not to give a shit about keeping up with everyone else.

Declutter
Robot Hoover upstairs & downstairs
Give the kids more jobs
Not encourage play dates (sorry DC they wear me out) have purchased online gaming as a sort of replacement
Plan meals make double & frees half when I can

I would agree about cleaning out houses - have had to do two, both people who had moved in the last 5 years, and it was still hard. I dread to think about my dads house. It makes me get rid of my stuff esp receipts and paperwork.

I have a kindle and any proper books go to the charity shop afterwards (they’ve usually come from there too!)

Online grocery shop

Eufy hoover, and a cleaner every fortnight

Agree with washing clothes less frequently too.

I love decluttering. I will do when necessary. But I was in this circle of buying clothes, washing, drying in tumble dryer, decluttering clothes. I don't really want to be going to the clothing banks etc every week. It's wasting my time and bad for the environment. Our clothes are going to be well worn this year (fingers crossed) and no more buying things ahead unless absolutely necessary.

Same with food shopping. I normally go to Aldi and do a big food shop. We were wasting so much food. I just shop my cupboards and fridge and try to use (not even use up) what we have an enjoy. If I need anything I go get that one item from Asda next door. Instead of buying bread, croissants, brioche rolls, baps etc etc I've just bought bread and given the kids toast or sandwiches and they've been fine.

I'm going to cut down on fruits. We buy apples, bananas, oranges, tangerines, strawberries, grapes, blueberries etc. But because of so much choice I mostly eat strawberries and tangerines. DH and kids eat bananas and tangerines. I know 5 fruit and veg a day but we do eat different veg everyday too.

Start saying no more. I'm a people pleaser and find this difficult but God does it make life easier sometimes just to say no.

Do any of you have one of everything? One shower gel, one perfume, one shampoo, one all purpose spray? How does it work for you? Do you get bored or don't care?

@faithfulbird20

Do any of you have one of everything? One shower gel, one perfume, one shampoo, one all purpose spray? How does it work for you? Do you get bored or don't care?

Yes only have one of anything at once, this is fine for me.