http://www.simplelivingforum.net/ Ongoing threads about tracking our goals and accomplishments en-US Sat, 25 May 2013 18:26:42 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.simplelivingforum.net/images/misc/rss.png http://www.simplelivingforum.net/ http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8246-When-you-work-hard-and-don-t-see-any-results&goto=newpost Thu, 23 May 2013 00:15:48 GMT I am usually a happy person but today I kinda got side tracked. I've started a new job and had to use all paychecks to pay off debts and bills. I am glad to do that- however my job will be done for the summer. I am a school bus driver, I will have freedom along with the students, but no checks until Sept. I just feel all the hard work I always put into my daily life, I just don't see any big results, yet the effort is huge to get out of a rut. Today I thought-why bother? I am still in debt and a long way to go. I just wanted to have something to enjoy. Even though I am relieved to pay off certain big debts and money well spent in that department-I feel shortchanged because I wanted something enjoyable out of it( new floor in basement etc.). Next school year I will be paying off my cc's with every paycheck and maybe my car payments too. But that is a year away.....:(Until then. ]]> Dailies and Challenges sylvia http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8246-When-you-work-hard-and-don-t-see-any-results http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8203-May-Decluttering&goto=newpost Fri, 17 May 2013 21:59:09 GMT I didn't see this thread, so I'm adding it.

I took 60 items to the thrift store yesterday - mostly my daughter's old clothes, but a few other things too! ]]> Dailies and Challenges ejchase http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8203-May-Decluttering http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8171-Having-a-positive-attitude-at-work-irritates-the-grumpy-ones!&goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 15:22:34 GMT I started working for a bus company and on my first week I had a meltdown due to the bus breaking everyday. The dispatch lady took me on the side and... I started working for a bus company and on my first week I had a meltdown due to the bus breaking everyday. The dispatch lady took me on the side and explained that it's ok and I need to relax, also just be social and mingle. I grew to like the job and so I always wave and say hi. I like to talk with everyone. Lately people say that I am always smiling, I reply that I am glad to be working plus I like the job. However there are a few grumps that will get mad if you smile at them.Too bad.
One day I drove by a sign that read "Happiness is a choice". So they can choose to be grumpy. I am happy to be working and smiling encourages others to smile. I took a lot of work for me to get here and if they are miserable that's their problem. So the moral of the story is, it may take a big decision to be happy where you are in your life, greater challenge is to stay that way with grumps around. Whenever I get a comment of sorts I change the subject and smile.I learned don't sweat the small stuff. I still see people trapped in worry and negative thoughts at work and I feel bad for them, All they need is to develop a positive attitude. Trust me I have a huge share of serious problems and I am just glad to be alive, plus I got a second chance at life and i will use it wisely!I challenge you to try it out a see what happens with those grumps! ]]> Dailies and Challenges sylvia http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8171-Having-a-positive-attitude-at-work-irritates-the-grumpy-ones! http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8072-May-Eat-at-Home&goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 13:44:26 GMT Oh man, do I ever need to do better in this area! All the home improvements around here have been really stressful, and we have been eating out A... Oh man, do I ever need to do better in this area! All the home improvements around here have been really stressful, and we have been eating out A LOT. Must do better!

Yesterday, May 1, we ate breakfast and lunch at home but ordered a pizza for dinner. Gotta love failing on the first day of the month! LOL

Today we will have cereal for breakfast and sandwiches for lunch. I am planning to make some tuna and noodles and veggies for dinner along with a new chocolate dessert in the crock pot for supper. I have some vanilla ice cream to serve with it, too. ]]> Dailies and Challenges Kat http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8072-May-Eat-at-Home http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8064-Living-below-the-line&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 22:18:32 GMT How many of you are or have participated in this challenge? In the U.S you have $1.50 a day or $7.50 for 5 days to buy all your food (no getting... How many of you are or have participated in this challenge?
In the U.S you have $1.50 a day or $7.50 for 5 days to buy all your food (no getting into that pantry):0! So you have to think about salt, sugar, fat.
Since I've been a simpler for over 10 years I really thought I had a leg up on this challenge.
But I will be the first to admit the first thing you can't afford is fresh fruits and Vegs.
I wish this challenge was taking place in Aug or Sept when I could step out my front door and eat blackberries.
In the end I purchased the following:
Bulk food section:
1/2 lb oatmeal (breakfast) .33
1/4 lb brown rice .15
1.25 Navy beans $1.20
Salt .09
Sugar .15
5 Earl grey tea bags .50 ( I get 1 pot of tea per day)

Can goods:(Store brands)
2 cans Chicken broth $1.00
1 can Tomato soup .70
1 can Veg soup .57

Fresh Fruit & Vegs
1 cucumber .48
bunch of green onions .48
2 apples $1.03

Mix:
Fried rice mix .87
I was grateful for the .16 credit I received for bringing my own bags.

I cooked the rice and beans up first, since then I've added them to the soup to make it a little heartier. I also used some of the rice with green onions to make the fried rice. Let me say though without soy sauce it doesn't taste the same...Also I have no fat so "stir fry" was done with water.
It's day 3 and I really miss salad! I've already eaten 1 apple, I'm saving the cucumber for tomorrow. Friday will be a long day.
I then realized come Saturday I can eat what I want! But for millions of Americans, Saturday never comes, this is a day to day reality.
Such an eye opener. If you have never challenged yourself to something like this, try it.
And remember, all those can goods under your bed....off limits.>:( ]]> Dailies and Challenges Mrs.B http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8064-Living-below-the-line http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8063-May-Gratitude&goto=newpost Wed, 01 May 2013 17:56:06 GMT Rarely do I say this, but I'm thankful today for pharmaceuticals.

I have been suffering from a pinched nerve in my lower spine for some days now, and the pain is fairly incapacitating. I've been trying to manage with a minimal of chemical assistance (trying the organic routes of massage, hot tubs, yoga, magnesium, relaxation exercises) but finally gave in and took some over-the-counter drugs when it started to interfere too much in my work.

When those had NO effect, I asked for some Big Guns from my physician, and they are helping mightily (in combination with all of the organic tricks above) I hope it will be a long time before I feel I need such things again. But for today, I'm grateful.

Little puglet came through surgery well, nasty scar notwithstanding, and we're dozing together on the couch, both in our narcotic fog. Hey, life could be worse! ]]> Dailies and Challenges puglogic http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8063-May-Gratitude http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8053-May-Fitness&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:25:18 GMT Okay, apologies to everyone for starting early, but today is my day off, so I have some time to set some resolutions for the next 30 days, and I have... Okay, apologies to everyone for starting early, but today is my day off, so I have some time to set some resolutions for the next 30 days, and I have a lot of challenges to meet in the next month, so I want to be at my best for them.

My fitness goal for May is to take a walk of at least thirty minutes at least five days a week and to take at least four long walks (at least 60 minutes) over the entire month. My other fitness goal is to continue to try to do yoga every day for at least fifteen minutes.

Anybody else in? ]]> Dailies and Challenges ejchase http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8053-May-Fitness http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8052-One-New-Habit-in-May&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 19:21:26 GMT I started a thread in February about starting one new habit a month. I was working on meditating and have done pretty well with it - but not... I started a thread in February about starting one new habit a month. I was working on meditating and have done pretty well with it - but not perfectly!

I have been taking the advice of writers like Charles Duhigg who say that the best way to form a new habit has been to place it within a cue, routine, reward pattern. Here's his flow chart:

http://assets.goop.com/222/HowtoCreateaHabit.jpg

With meditating, my cue has been seeing my meditation pillow in the morning, and my reward has been my regular morning cup of coffee. I can't tell you how motivating it is to not be able to drink coffee until after I've meditated!

In May, I'm going to work on praying on my knees after I meditate (I'm kind of agnostic, but I find praying to the universe helps remind me of the most important intentions I have going on in my life) and then also doing a 10 minute cleaning/decluttering routine in the morning before I start getting dressed for work. I haven't figured out the cue and reward for the latter habit so will report back on that one later.

Anybody else want to work on building a positive habit this month? ]]> Dailies and Challenges ejchase http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8052-One-New-Habit-in-May http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8044-Healthy-Eating-in-May&goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:47:50 GMT I know I'm early, but ...

I need to go 30 days without sugar. I started today. My hope is to make it through 30 consecutive days, but if I slip, I'm just going to add on days to the end.

Anybody else have any healthy eating goals for May? ]]> Dailies and Challenges ejchase http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?8044-Healthy-Eating-in-May