Thursday 16 July 2015

An appraisal of my first 'simple' year

This time last year, I was coming to the end of six and a half years working at my last school and potentially also the end of my working life. It was a funny old time full of mixed emotion - fear, excitement, relief, confusion, sadness and hope. I didn't start blogging straight away, but have been looking back at the notebook I kept in those early weeks and also the first few blog posts where I talked about what I wanted from the year ahead and beyond.

This post from November - http://happeninguponhappiness.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/project-me-part-two.html#comment-form talks about what I wanted for me to 'recover' from the overload of stress I had been feeling before leaving work. It took me at least three months to start to see any improvements, but after a while I felt like a new person!

At the end of the year, I am certainly doing more of the things I enjoy; I've made lots of craft things; I've read more; I have enjoyed making bread and yoghurt (although I could do it much more often); I've had the tattoo, do my own manicure and pedicures and have saved hundreds of pounds NOT having my hair cut! We are certainly eating well and I have lost about half a stone, but I could be drinking even less wine and probably still need to lose the other half stone! I spend loads of time outside, gardening and walking or just sitting and contemplating life! I have read more, but could certainly do to watch less TV and 'unplug' myself from technology more often, choosing to read a good book instead. I purged my wardrobe and haven't bought a single new item of clothing since last September - something which I have found liberating.
I am more on top of things and have kept better organised, but I still haven't got a good enough routine and I sometimes find myself de motivated, which irritates me.
All in all, I feel I have achieved what I set out to achieve.
I am most proud of how much healthier I feel both mentally and physically and of how much kinder I am to myself.

Paying off the mortgage to become debt free was a highlight, but of course, Mum's illness and subsequent death has caused a great deal of stress. Mind you, if I hadn't been working so hard on becoming a better person, it could have taken me under, so 'every cloud' and all that!

Over the course of the next 12 months, I want to .......
  • Continue to simplify my home by clearing out clutter, completing outstanding tasks and designing and adopting a simple routine and rhythm to my daily life which encorporates the way of life I believe is important
  • I would like to watch less TV, read more and teach myself more new skills such as knitting, crotchet, patchwork
  • I will aim to meditate more often and continue with the daily walks (easier with a dog!), allowing myself time to appreciate my surroundings and be grateful for the improvement in my wellbeing.
  • Continue to live frugally, looking to save money where I can, only buying what we need, whilst also succumbing to the odd treat here and there, but enjoying it fully because of it's rarity! 
  • Keep squirrelling away savings towards our master plan. 
How would you assess your last year and do you have any plans for the next year to improve your wellbeing or quality of life? 

20 comments:

  1. I'd like to continue to learn to grow fruit and vegetables successfully. Keep saving towards retirement. Once retired my list will expand as I'm hoping to learn new skills like quilting etc.

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    1. Yes, I'm still gaining knowledge about growing my own. Other people's blogs are very helpful with loads of hints and tips. There are so many people out there who are much further down the line than us which is great!

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  2. I took early retirement 5 years ago due to redundancy. It was lovely at first but after 2 years felt so that i needed to do something else. I have worked 2 days a week for a charity for 3 years ( mind you it was only next door so no commute!). This is now coming to an end next month and I can't wait to have all that time again to catch up with my 'to do' list and take up crafts again. I'd love chickens but husband not so keen since they need to be looked after when you go away.

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    1. I've found that people are often quite keen to look after the chickens - they get free fresh eggs! I haven't reached the point of needing something else yet, but I'm hoping we will move and get more land and therefore much more growing/production before I reach that point!!

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  3. By and large, you've had a good first year of living simply. It's a good idea to do a yearly appraisal. We've got lots of plans for the coming year....all things leading up to husband's eventual retirement in about 3 years, we would like our lives to be as simple and stress-free as possible when that happens.

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    1. I wished I had planned more BEFORE I left work. When I look at what we are saving a month now on one wage and then imagine what we could have saved every month from two good wages, I could weep, but we had a different lifestyle then of course so maybe it wouldn't have been possible! Good luck with your preparations.

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  4. Tomorrow I leave teaching after 26 years.... your post has helped me to get my head round my own situation. Thank you! Jx

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    1. Funnily enough, I was thinking of you when I wrote it, imagining how you are feeling today. Even though I KNEW it was the right thing to do, I had some very low times in the first couple of months. When I look back now however, it has been a VERY positive step for me and for my family. I wish you all the very best and look forward to reading about your journey. :)

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  5. This time last year we thought Col's heart problems were in the past , then a few months later I got pneumonia and he spent another couple of weeks in hospital after a heart event. We thought we were going to stay here and carry on much the same and instead the house is up for sale and we are scaling down and clearing up . Amazing what can happen in a year! Good luck with your next year hope its as successful as your first.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, let's hope your next year holds lots of positive changes which are beneficial for your wellbeing and that of your husband :)

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  6. I remember when I retired, i was excited, but nervous. I thought I'll take a year and then maybe I start substitute teaching. After a year I was so relaxed, my blood pressure was way down and I was so busy I couldn't figure out how I ever found time to work.
    Good luck with your next year.

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    1. Yes, it's only now that I realise just how stressed I was before! Simplifying our life has been the best move ever! It's good to know others feel the same benefits still :)

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  7. Sounds like a great first year! It is very exciting as there is so much to do and learn. All the best for the next year!

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    1. Thank you. I have still gots huge amounts to learn!!!

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  8. A very sensible list of plans ahead, I am sure you will reach your goals. I follow similar list, simplifying is fun although challenging at times. I would never return to the consumer orientated life I had. At one point my stress levels in private and working life were so high that it ended in an enormous health crash. Thumbs up for a simpler life. Wish you a good weekend, Pam in Norway

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    1. I love the fact that I so rarely go anywhere near shops and if I do, they hold no interest for me, so I can go straight in, purchase what I need and not be distracted by sales racks or pretty clothes. As I said, it has been totally liberating!
      Stress is a terrible thing and can cause so many 'hidden' problems which often don't demonstarte themselves until crisis point is reached. I'm very glad to hear that you are feeling so much calmer and happier :)

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  9. Your list could be my list!! Hopefully moving out into the country will help me with some of it, more room to grow food, get a dog and walk more. I hope you achieve all that you wish for in the next 12 months, I look forward to following your progress xx

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    1. Yes I think there are many of us who want a more natural, outdoors, simple life with less stress, consumerism and excesses! Let's hope we all get to live our dream. X

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  10. With hindsight, I could have saved so much more money if we'd started living like we do now many moons ago. Like yourself, we had 2 full-time salaries coming in which we lived up to and spent! We now live off one salary and a tiny amount from my own self-employment yet we still manage to save and have treats. Onwards and upwards!! I'm with you on the haircuts too - I now trim my own fringe (not always a good thing though!) and haven't been to a salon for almost 8 months. The one thing I'm so grateful for teaching myself is sticking to a budget - it makes like so much easier. I do it on a monthly basis and save a set amount each week to cover bills, food, etc, then transfer the rest to savings.

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    1. I agree - having a budget is absolutely key. It makes you very aware of what you have, what you can do without and what things cost both in real terms and also in terms of future plans.
      I cut my fringe too, but only very lightly as I'm terrified of ending up with a blunt cut, thick fringe. Been there before and I wasnt a happy bunny!!

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