| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 16 2009 : 6:41:51 PM
In the last few years my life has become increasingly cluttered. I am now completely fed up with my packrat-y existence and want a simple, tidy, less material life...maybe its my form of a midlife crisis  but I'm really into cutting out the junk and creating a simple life for myself and Drew. So any advice on simplifying? I'm already making huge piles of stuff to take to the thrift and the rest to the dump that is un-usable ...but simplicity is also a life style choice and a state of mind, so I need to do a lot of re-arranging priorities in my head.
I've already started by having simple, less ostentatious holidays and not buying anything that isn't absolutely necessary, bringing less stuff home from the thrift  I'm a shameless clothes collector *sigh* I'm re-arranging my pantry to buy in bulk and not buy convenience foods...simplify, simplify, simplify!!!
So, anyone else into simplicity? I'd like to start a simple living thread and post tips and ideas for a more simple and fulfilling life there 
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 28 2009 : 10:20:00 AM
Thank you Alee =) I've got a bit of the crud thats going around,and am off to a turtle crawl this morning. But never the less, I'm about to go start in on the kitchen and then all of my too many comforters and linens...happiness is a tidy, usable kitchen and linen closet. And a well stocked pantry is a blessing! I want to start buying in bulk and see if we can budget better and spend less time running to the grocery mart for this or that. I have a good sized pantry, so I'm looking forward to the challenge.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 9:26:03 PM
That is great, Annika! I am so happy for you! I know what you mean by the material baggage hindering the mental space! I feel like that too when my house is cluttered and "full". I can't wait to hear more about this journey you are on. You truly are an inspiration!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 27 2009 : 9:09:00 PM
YIPPIE!!! I've got several people willing to come help me haul this junk out off here! Now it's just organize, organize, organize!!! I feel like as I'm paring away the years of accumulated stuff I'm finding more and more of "ME" and that simplicity is food for the spirit. I think that living with a lot less material baggage in my life will give me emotional space to add more immaterial things to my life, i.e. classes, yoga, gym...some thing that I'm too frazzled by my own mess to do right now. BLAH!
Simple living isn't right for everyone, but I'm excited with the prospects and looking at all of the layers of my life that need simplifying and a good tidying up! A place for everything and no more than I need. I will post pics of all of the junk once its all in one place and on the way out and then of my shiny clean house once I have it all done!!!!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Beverley |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 7:24:51 PM
Wow you ladies inspire me. We moved 3 years ago and I gave a lot away then and then we got here and I had to give things away cause this is a smaller house. And I am still working on de-cluttering. so, it takes time. baby steps sometimes. but it is very rewarding. I like to see my stuff go someplace I know will use it up or really are in need of it. that makes me feel good too. so, you guys have inspired me to keep going. Good going to all of us and I am so happy to hear that other people are in the same place I am of simplifying!!! Wow good thread!!!
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 7:04:15 PM
I just got food safe buckets from Lehmans catalog. ALready had a big one for flour so put sugar in one and will move on to other things. They shut tight so shouldn't be a problem.
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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| homemom |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 6:53:52 PM
Where and how do you store the grains and rice that you buy in bulk. I am always afraid it will go bad.
thanks,
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 5:50:34 PM
Hey..farmgirls..who would feel comfortable posting pics of our new spaces??? I am working on mine...may have them up on Mon-Tues. Anyone else want to join me???
Hallie- I just bought 2 HUGE glass storage jars for my flour and sugar. It looks so simple and pretty. I need to get another one for the rice. : )
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| countrykatgirly |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 5:34:34 PM
I have begun buying some things in bulk. Bought 20# of basmati rice and (2) 10# bags of whole grain flour at the Costco yesterday. Will have to clean out more stuff before I can go any farther with that kind of bulk buying.
We are planning on making a run to Goodwill next week. That should get rid of at least 4 boxes. Y’all are getting me more excited about putting this process into action. I am going to try and keep looking for ways to trim down but I’m not far into it.
**Farmgirl Sister #622**
“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.”
--Laura Ingalls Wilder
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 5:25:08 PM
YEE HAW!! We are all doing so good. I got the carpets shampooed and everything wiped down from dirt and dust. I have a HUGE bag to donate..it's amazing...I THOUGHT I was pretty cleaned out but I am on that last purge. : )
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 4:53:16 PM
Doesn't this just feel GOOD? to clean out the clutter and mess...I think we are all doing great with our simplifying! Thanks for posting your successes, its encouraging and inspirational to a reforming packrat like me
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Old Spirit |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 4:23:43 PM
Ok got through my drawers and one bag for a friend, one for the Sunshine Closest (thrift store in area) and one a couple for the dump!!! I am pretty excited with the start.
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 3:57:53 PM
Nan---I used flylady when I first started many years ago. It is fun and helpful!!! : )
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| N@n |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 3:54:20 PM
Have any of you gals ever gone to Flylady.net? She is the best coach for getting control of your CHAOS. In fact, after reading this thread I am convinced I need to revisit Flylady. It is a wonderful sight and full of ways to gain control right down to scheduling what to do each day. And it all works wonderfully. She is a blessed person who you can tell truly loves her fellow sisters in this chaotic world. Give it a try.
Nan in Ark.
keep searchin'-it's out there somewhere. |
| Alee |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 11:57:39 AM
Another idea is to take one or two bags in per trip to town. Maybe your honey could drop some off when he goes to work? I know that there aren't any real thrift shops on that side of town, but the Nazarene church now has a thrift shop and perhaps you could talk to them and he could drop the bags off on the church property? That atleast is on the way to his work! :D
I am so excited for you!! I can't wait to hear more about how your home is shaping up!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 11:44:30 AM
I need the landlord's truck and he is using it today, darn it!!!! But I WILL keep sorting and pulling things together...You should see this huge stack of stuff!!!! I'm SOOOO happy to be self empowered to finally get rid of all of this junk! =) If I can't get the truck tomorrow, I'm calling all of the thrift stores and seeing if any of them will come out beyond town limits to do a pick up. I am loving on the image of a spartan home and simple decorating! Next up is another run through of my clothing and a brutal paring down of ignored books YIPPEE!
Ok, I'm just excited by the tasks. It feels so good to let go of all of this stuff. So clean and freeing. Once the clutter is gone, I will be breathing a huge sigh of sanity and relief...
Thanks so much all of you and especially Heather and Alee for cheering me on. I'm lovin' it!
Back to the battle zone!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 08:27:28 AM
Annika- waiting with bated breath to hear how your trip to donate your sorted stuff goes! I hope when you get home the "new" space really helps!
Well as I have been doing and sorting the laundry I have been pulling out the laundry that is too stained and worn out to continue to use. That is going to help a lot!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 08:26:41 AM
Rock on ladies!!! You are inspiring me!!! (((HUGS)))
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| whispering pines |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 08:16:19 AM
I love this topic! I too suffer from clutter and aim to live a more simple life.
As we are in the remodeling mode, if we cannot use it or has not been used in a year, it is going. Here are a few ideas that I have used:
1.If our children can use it or want it, they can have it.
2.I have also donated things to an apartment complex (low income, one of my friends lives there, they have a spot in the laundry room where people place good unwanted items)
3.Thrift Stores.
3.Old flower pots and containers, I give to a farm that raises plants to sell in the summertime.
4.Place things outside with a "Take me home, I'm Free!" sign on, you would be surprised how much you can recycle that way.
5.Recycling Centers.
6.And if it's at the end of usefulness a dump run!
7.For all of my horse tack (extra's and unwanted items) and extra dog collars and toys, towels, small blankets animal rescues are always in need.
"It's not what I do, but how I do it!"~Mae West~ |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Oct 24 2009 : 06:39:44 AM
Good Morning! The sun is shinning here!!  I am in the process of getting rid!!! Going through dresser drawers and yippeeeee. Best to do this when I am in the mood to get rid because nothing is safe 
Have a great day!
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 1:29:07 PM
We got some more junk and clutter cleaned out today! It's amazing how packaging from going to Costco and such can really add up! I have two more bags that need to be sorted through to go to the thrift shop and we have taken out about five bags of things to the garbage. The house is starting to shape up!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
| catscharm74 |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 12:30:36 PM
Great job ladies!! I removed a basketful of small clothes from Charlie's room, a few toys, a few stuffies and some bathroom items. YEE HAW!!!
Heather
"Hitch your wagon to a star"
http://somewheredownintexas-heather.blogspot.com |
| Old Spirit |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 12:18:46 PM
This is the best topic!!! I just got 5 food safe buckets so I can buy more bulk style and cook only from scratch. Already had a big one for my flour, so now have one for sugar and will get some rice and not sure, oh maybe noodles Anyway I really need to declutter. In fact this just may get me motivated. I have enough books to open a store but I really do read them over and over. Will go through and see if can spare any, my daughter and I did this last year and got rid of a couple boxes!!! Clothes that is where I need to go, if I lose enough to get back into some I should be able to replace at that point , only on sale or thrift!!
Oh now I am getting excited, let's keep this one going ok???
Rae
Farm Girl #647
...those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles:...
Isaiah 40:31
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| homemom |
Posted - Oct 23 2009 : 07:35:00 AM
Annika~I have been doing the same thing. Since I stayed home to homeschool I have filled my van so many times and taken things to the thrift store or the recycling center. I am continuously going through everything and discarding things we don't use, wear or even like. I do sell some things through consignment shops or trade in credits. My daughter decided she was going to do the same thing and she cleared out all her junk and now her room looks fantastic.
I am trying to buy only good foods and cook from scratch. Cleaning out the pantry and freezer. Not buying any more convenience and junk food. The more I get rid of and make myself the better I feel.
Ruth
Living the farm life in my heart.
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/Ruth
http://farmgirlinmyheart.blogspot.com |
| Annika |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 10:57:15 PM
Thank you Alee, I'm planning a Saturday donation run and it will feel great!
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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| Alee |
Posted - Oct 22 2009 : 10:54:36 PM
Annika- Why don't you go ahead and take the stuff that you have already sorted out to be donated down to te Salvation Army. Maybe getting that cleared out will give you more thinking room? Maybe getting that cleared out will give you inspiration as you sort through the next bunch? *hugs* I think you are doing fabulous!!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
www.farmgirlalee.blogspot.com
www.allergyjourneys.blogspot.com
Put your pin on the farmgirl map! www.farmgirlmap.blogspot.com |
