Tips for a simple easy life

[emerald226]

Your tips please

Stay single - If you are not single put yourself at the top of your own list regularly and make sure other people know about it. Teach partners and children that your time is important too.

Lounging at home on the sofa and watching a movie is a PLAN. If you are asked to go somewhere and you don't want to you simply say 'I have plans' no need to elaborate.

Don't allow others to add to your things to-do list.

Don't spend time with people you don't like. Including family.

Get rid of the, 'it's easier if I do it myself attitude'. It helps no one.

Don't put it down, put it away - Also teach that to partners and children.

Placemarking, as my life is absurdly complicated, and it feels like I’m just being buffeted around like a cork in the current most of the time.

things that it would probably be worse without…..

Batch cooking. I really can’t imagine cooking on the regular.
Cleaner, if you can (failing. Can’t pay one atm)
Ruthlessly Declutter (failing again. I need another round at this)
Be scruffy. I don’t bother with hair, nails, make up or fancy clothes at all. My skincare is almost non existent and I do not even own an iron.
pay someone to things you find difficult, even if you can do then and just don’t want to, if possible. I used to get people to do tip runs, or low the lawn because I hate doing it (not at the moment, as I’m broke, but it sure made a difference when it could)
Say no. A lot.
Be honest with yourself about what you will do. Don’t keep things hanging around on a list you won’t do, it just weighs on your mind
Don’t keep animals (big fail. They’re worth it, for just kid, but man they are a pita for me)
automate everything you can. Get a shopping delivery with a regular order you can change if you need to. Use alexa to turn things on and off, for reminders about bins and PE kits and birthdays. Use calendars and smart to do lists so stuff you need to do later isn’t in your head now.
Get everything delivered. I hate Amazon, but eBay is great and the pandemic means nearly everything can be sent these days. Even my doctors will accept prescription requests by email and LloydsDirect will deliver them (shoes and bras excepted. We still trek into town for them, and a right bloody palava it is, too)
don’t procrastinate. It won’t get better.
get enough sleep.

Batch cook!

Don’t sweat the small stuff!

@boronia
You are spot on with " get rid of 50% of everything".
I have just moved for the second time in 12 months and the amount of stuff has overwhelmed me. Lots of new towels I have stashed, which I will now give away to family, clothes which I have not worn in 12 months which I have taken to charity, same with decorative china and porcelain, none of which is necessary for life. You need very little, think I will imagine living in a shared house, where you only need 1 capsule wardrobe, limited pots & pans etc. Family photos will now go in a photograph album rather than framed wall decorations. So many posters have stated similar, you must have learned the hard way too.
Travel light !

Don't get a cat. I love my two, but they're always complaining about something. Today they were fighting because they both wanted the same spot on the windowsill. Then one was complaining at lunch that she didn't like her normal cat food, but when I ignored her, she went and finished it anyway. And they love to eat anything that moves (insects, beetles, flies) and then vomit it up on my lovely shaggy bedroom rug.

Comparison is the thief of joy.
Give fewer fucks.

Sun, sea, sex, good food, good company, exercise.......

Don't expect to be happy all the time, but do find our what makes you happiest and do that as much as you can. For me, it's only an hour a week, but I value that time so much.

Of you find something you like, for example really good hiking socks, buy lots of them. Store them until you need them and then you have a like for like replacement. Saves the thinking and finding time when they wear out. Same with basics like t shirts. I've found some which work for me as base layers and for gentle exercising so bought a number in the same size and colour. No need for variety in something basic like that.

Recognise that it is rarely if ever about you.

So much good advice on here - great thread and initial question @emerald226

Please take a deep breath before you ever answer anything,
Think do I want to do this.?
Will I enjoy it?

Then if the answer is not immediately clear to you, say can I please think about it and give you an answer later, or say I think I have to say for now, If anything changes can I let you know?

Single, no children, job instead of career.
Leads to a simple life, but also a sad and lonely one.

Learn to say NO to people and activities that do not align with your own values.

Don't have children.

Very good advice. When I got my first relatively well-paid job, an older colleague warned me not to buy a larger house or better car, because I would then be trapped in a cycle of having to fund them. It was great advice.

Make lists of the important things and make sure you tick things off everyday
Action emails etc as soon as you open them so you don't have to go back again
get you food shopping delivered weekly
don't over commit yourself to social things
go to bed early
don't bother with people who sap your energy

Care less about stuff. Someone doesn't like your outfit/car/street? Who cares. DH hasn't tidied up? Leave it. You forgot to put the bin out? The world will not end. Some things matter and some things don't.

YES! And don't even think about buying aspirational 'one day when I lose weight...' clothes.

I mutter “not my circus, not my monkeys”
to myself regularly and don’t engage with things that I don’t need to
I also share things on a “need to know” basis, to avoid too much background noise

Meal plan, not strictly, but have a vague idea of what we might eat over the week. I buy things such as grated cheese and pre prepped veg.
Anticipate ahead and prep, school inform, after school club stuff

Buying clothes in a limited palette is a bloody excellent idea. I have a minimal wardrobe of work stuff but tons of prints!! Thanks 👍

Buy a dishwasher and tumble dryer and ditch the iron and ironing board

Don't buy crap you are only going to waste your life cleaning it.

Listen to your gut.

Don't have kids.

Curb your social media, it just wastes your time and achieves nothing.
Reduce non essential spending to reduce financial pressure so you can have a better work life balance.

Really interesting to read everyone’s comments.

Mine are:

• Never mind what “men find attractive” (I cut my hair and nails exactly how I like and it makes me happy)

• Choose an optimal-sized flat down the road from all the shops and buzzy restaurants as opposed to a large house with endless windows and a football field of a garden (subjective, speaking from personal experience)

• Keep your weight under control, nothing strict but don’t get to the point where you need to lose more than a stone

• Keep daily makeup to the minimum you are comfortable with

• Do not procreate (again)

• Do not take it upon yourself to look after anyone/rescue anyone

• Do not lend money

• Read the reviews any time you make an online purchase

• Make sure you have a personal car

• If the man you are seeing is not amazing, don’t waste any more time on him. If you’re dating, stop wasting your time after the very first red flag