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.

@jfhguseorjgijaerigjarfgj

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.

We are doing this. House going on the market soon and the amount of driving we won't have any more is going to be great.

@thecatsthecats

I also don't "get" meal planning. I have a quarterly meat order that fills up the freezer. Tesco orders top up fresh dairy and veg. Slow cooker batches some ready meals when the meat order arrives.

The idea of spending time choosing a menu for a week doesn't fly with me. We either have time to pick a meal to make from the available options or we don't and we have a freezer meal or takeaway. Haven't starved yet

I don't know about everybody else, but I can see why meal planning wouldn't work for you, what is the point, you are doing it backwards? I don't order food and shop and then plan, I plan then I shop. I plan for six weeks at a time, for me it works out cheaper and saves time, and I'm really mindful of what is in season. I don't shop for six weeks at a time of course, but the meal plan is there and I don't deviate from it. We eat mainly plant based but I'm sure some must do it with a meat order.

@Rainbowqueeen

Clean everything with bicarbonate sofa and vinegar.

Catch ups with friends are a walk on the beach early morning or late in the day so we can get a parking spot and don’t need to think about where to meet. Gets in my outdoor exercise for the day too.

Same dinner every Friday night - a microwave macaroni cheese. Really easy to make and everyone likes it so no complaints.

When you say clean everything with bicarb and vinegar, how do you use them? Can they be combined in a spray bottle?

@scoobydoo1971

Delete social media. Wastes my time that could be spent better on family life, work, home and so on. Never watch TV. Advertising is a constant bombardment of temptations, and that time spent remote control hopping could be better spent elsewhere for me. Have a purge on the home annually for stuff we don't use. Sell, donate or dispose of it. Send the kids to the local shop for small purchases using loose change stored at home. Stops me going to buying a dozen extra bits. Daily rubbish round-up to the wheelie bins. Cut out toxic people 100%. Anyone who is a leech/ user is systematically avoided as I focus on what myself and my family need to be happy and thrive. Practice mindful purchasing. If I am browsing online or offline, I will think about it for a day or a week to determine if I really need it, as much as want it...or feel compelled by impulse. It cuts down the clutter and spending in the house.

Love all this

@ilssagain

I only have black socks now. I like different coloured socks but unfortunately they are a nightmare, always going missing, needing to be paired up, more trouble than they are worth so about 5 years ago I just changed over to black only and it's made things a lot simpler.

Also:
No ironing
Only clean with washing up liquid
No junk mail (in a different country so have a special sticker on my letter box to refuse it)
One in, one out rule
Do a large shop in Aldi and the Boots equivalent here once every two months and that's it - very occasional top ups needed from the local supermarket.

And the most important things:
I've learned to say no to anyone trying to unload their unwanted stuff on me. People were constantly giving me things crap they didn't want anymore and I would feel bad about refusing them so just took everything off them. Now it's a no to everything and after a while people stop offering things like that. It was all stuff I didn't really want or need anyway and more importantly, stuff they didn't want any more which probably should have been tipped but due to the high cost of tipping stuff here they obviously didn't want to pay to tip

And learning to say no, that doesn't work for me. Also, switching phone off when I need a break from the constant requests. During the last lockdown (in November) not one single person phoned me just for a chat. Every call was someone wanting me to do something for them - and I know they won't repay the favour.
So, people can fuck off. The phone is going off when I don't want to be disturbed and I won't be doing stuff for piles of randoms any more.

Plus I am going to audit my leisure time activities in the coming weeks and dump anything that is not bringing me joy. I belong to a couple of amateur music groups which fit into that category and I'm torn as there isn't really an alternative to one of them so if I leave I wouldn't have another one to go to. However, I think I shouldn't be wasting an evening a week on something that doesn't make me happy.

If it doesn't bring joy (whether an item or an activity) it goes in the bin.

Totally agree with using washing up liquids for cleaning everything.

So many people buy sprays to clean bathrooms and kitchens.

You are breathing in a ton of aerosolised chemicals. I was told this by a respiratory doctor. Your lungs are precious and vulnerable enough with all the pollution.

Choose a house that's close to school, a small supermarket and other services.

An Ebike. Never think.about parking again.

I just booked my car in for a mobile full valet inside and out so I can sit back and let someone else do the hard work. Why didn’t I do this sooner!

Other than that, I use Amazon subscriptions to bulk buy toilet roll etc.
I bulk cook and freeze meals.
No ironing, ever!

A slow cooker, especially in winter.

Loads of recipes, little effort.

Getting rid of clutter / stuff I have "Just in case" when deep down the chances of me ever needing it are minimal.

I am going to declutter our entire house! No ifs, no buts. If it hasn't been used for 6 months it's going!

@DroopyClematis

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.

I so agree with this @DroopyClematis. Currently clearing my in-laws house and we are on our third skip. I have given so much away for free and we are still toying with all the other "stuff" that was obviously sentimental and meaningful - so we have to be respectful. I am not, under any circumstances, leaving a pile of stuff for my children and grandchildren and am motivated to declutter more than ever.

[quote SquirrelG]@DroopyClematis - I feel your pain! When my DM went into care I had the job of clearing out her flat, and it certainly taught me that you can have far too much stuff. Also if she had something no longer useful and didn't know what to do with it she simply put it in the spare room. I dread to think what it would have been like if she had lived in a full sized house!

I used to drop all the stuff off at a charity shop after hours on my way home. They won't let you do that now [/quote]
It’s so hard, isn’t it?

I made a rule that I no longer wanted to move anything to get to something else. If I have to do this there is too much stuff. Got rid of tons of stuff like this, it really made me think about what I own and whether I still want it or not. It is not perfect yet, but it has made such a difference already - not more stuffed cupboards or drawers.

I only have one of each of these. Having too many things in the house (be that products, clothes, food etc) stresses me out. I have a spare deodorant and toothpaste at all times though!

Got a cleaner!

@Leftbutcameback

I only have one bag and keep everything I need in it. It's a small rucksack. Makes everything much easier than when I was always transferring between bags.

This is a very small one - keys on a lanyard. Makes it easier shopping, going for a walk etc.

I've got small pouches which each contain a lip balm, hand cream, lipstick, painkillers, small hand sanitiser. It means I can just grab a pouch and my purse when I want to switch bags. Keys are in purse.

@faithfulbird20 Wash tops, knickers, socks regularly, but heavier jeans/trousers get an airing and a spritz of Dettol spray and wear and a wash once a week.

Hammam towels for whole family in the summer

One every day bag, one nicer for special occasions

Ebooks and magazines through local library

Cut down on number of people I buy for at Christmas

4ft fake Christmas tree, 5 minutes to decorate

Start DC young with household tasks, older teen now doing own washing, vaccing, dishwasher, bins and recycling, occasional meals.

I gave away the telly. After the first couple of weeks, I didn't miss it at all, and it has freed up lots of time for other things I'd rather do.

I have one shampoo, conditioner and wash. The only time this varies is when I get given ‘specials’ by friends or fam. I really like natural smells, so do appreciate treats but can make good things last.
Things I need to de clutter are my clothes. I’ve put on a lot of weight so can’t wear most of my wardrobe, but there’s some nice clothes I don’t want to get rid of in hope I’ll fit back into them!
I’m in the throes of helping sort out my bro’s stuff (he died recently)- not only was his stuff in a mess but his life admin too. It’s made me really think about what to do with some of my stuff too. And how to make it easier for anyone left should summat happen to me.

Cut off both of my parents… maybe not the answer you’re looking for though

Meal planning magnetic whiteboard and to do list on my fridge. I used to do them on my phone but for some reason this makes me much more productive.

This thread is SO satisfying. I had a de clutter of clothes and underwear at the weekend and it felt so freeing. I love some of these other ideas which I’ll be pinching, particularly the tea ideas which is something I struggle with daily!

@whatwasIgoingtosay

I just keep on lowering my standards!

I think this has been my strategy for the last 29 years or so!

I don't worry as much about the small things any more or worry that my house is not as clean as next door or whatever.

But I have ADHD ADHD accept these days that my good enough is different to other people's.

Not much of a tip but when I stated to go back to the office last September (after 18 months WFH) I made a check list on my phone to look at before I left the house every day, eg keys, pills, ID card, Oyster card, mask, headphones.
Helped me get back into the routine.

Life was never too complicated. Bed linen washed every 1-2 weeks. Towels every week. Only undies or summer clothes washed every day. Clothes that need little or no ironing. Only iron clothes worn outside. Also got cleaner who does the ironing.
Dishwasher.
I always cook more than I need, and get entire meals out of left overs.
I rarely cook complicated recipes, or simply use pre-made items.
Occasionally declutter. Moving countries helped enormously. As did a partner moving in (had to empty a couple of drawers and shelves).
I also like space around me. I don't have a lot of furniture or wall decorations. Not minimalist, just enough.

However, I do have too many plants outside. I don't like to throw any away.

@MollysDolly I shop weekly but due to being a small household it takes us longer to get through things. Pretty much everything other than spinach, bagged salad, berries, beansprouts, and anything pre-prepped is good for a second week IME.

A pair of scissors in every room!
And I keep my own private supply of sticky tape and wrapping paper.