On Fridays at 365 Less Things I share with you my favourite comments from my wonderful readers and my favourite web finds of the week. I hope you will enjoy them as much as I did.
Favourite Comments. Enjoy!
I loved this comment in response to Cindy’s post this week. Wendy F has a great way to combat to-do forgetfulness in this comment. Don’t do what I do though Wendy F when I only leave a small note and then don’t remember what I meant by it. Damn early onset Dementia ~ not really, but it sure feels that way some days. Like when I made two first cups of coffee the other morning and then later went to the supermarket only to realise I had left my wallet at home.
I don’t often post my own comments here but I felt this one added something to the conversation.
My happiness goal post also inspired this great comment from Jen and  this one from Ideealistin and also this one from Megan.
There were so many great comments generated from Moni’s post this week but this one from Deb J left me feeling appalled at the ridiculousness of some neighbourhood bi-laws. Of all the places in the world where dryers should almost be completely unnecessary Arizona must be somewhere near the top of the list. I know some owner corporations (particularly in high-rise apartment buildings) frown on the ugliness of clothes flapping from balconies but seriously who disallows people from hanging clothes behind a fence in their back yards.
Favourite Web Finds. Happy reading!
Here is a short but thought provoking post from The Minimalists.
Do you hoard your new underwear? I will let Grethen Rubin explain this one to you in this blog post.
I loved this post from Annienygma because it is something I do often.
Here is another thought provoking link shared with me by Cindy.
My ego forced me to add this link from Budgets Are Sexy.
I also liked what Peter Walsh had to say in the short video.
Today’s Mini Mission
Did you have more than enough wine glasses for your liquid Christmas cheer. If so declutter the ones that you avoided using because you don’t like them so much. My daughter bought me the ones I mentioned I wanted in a post prior to Christmas. She was only too happy to claim the ones I have but don’t like.
Eco Tip Of The Day
Fans merely move air around which helps keep you cool by evaporating sweat. Leaving them on after you vacate the room does not keep the room cool, in fact the power necessary to run a fan can slightly increase the temperature in the room. (Read more here) Save electricity buy turning off the fan when you leave the room and aren’t coming straight back.
Regarding Deb J’s situation and not being allowed to hang laundry: people are starting to take on the Homeowner’s Associations and are winning, using the environmental cost/benefit as their reason. We need to change some attitudes, that’s for sure.
I am glad to hear that Wendy B as I hoped that would be the case. This is why I brought that comment to the fore so that it would hopefully prompt others who are in this situation to think it might be worth fighting for such a right.
Some good links as usual. I never thought of some of the things we do as stoicism but just choices. To do them for a short time as a growth experience is a good idea. Rubin’s idea of spending out is good too. My mom has a tendency to save things back. Drives me nuts. If you are going to buy it then use it. Sheesh! I think is was great the way Annienygma came up with a solution to her problem of not having a pie tin. There is almost always a way if we just think about it a bit. Careergirlnetwork’s idea of words to eliminate is really good. I’ve been working on Mom getting rid of the words hate, never, always, should and I can’t. Defeating words. It was great that on Budgetsaresexy they mentioned 365 Less Things. those all were some good challenges. Peter Walsh has a good challenge too. 10 minutes for yourself. Here’s my challenge. Next week make it 20 minutes for yourself. JUST YOU.
Hi Deb J, it is amazing how often people don’t take time for themselves. In my case I think I do sometimes because I do have such a wonderful life where I don’t need to go out to work and am free to do a lot of things I enjoy. But sometimes ever though I am doing things I enjoy they aren’t necessarily purely taking time for myself. I love my volunteer work, caring for my family, working with my blog and spending time with friends but really all of those things involve a large element of giving my time for others. I think I will take on your challenge with the added provision that none of that 20 minutes is spent anywhere near a computer.
Yep! Stay away from the computer is one of my things I need to do. I just need to get away period. I need to just stop doing and just be.
Deb J – I was just reading a recipe for pizza bases and the writer said that she used the base of her spring-ring cake tin. I thought what a good idea, its almost the same thing and the ideal size for what I want to make.
I just love finding new ways to do old things.
I loved the Budgets are Sexy link. In addition to your link, there were other articles that I found interesting on saving money and not spending more than necessary and saving. Thanks for the link. I’m sure I will revisit this site for other ideas.
I am happy to have brought it to your attention Maggie
Really enjoyed reading these comments and the links. The post by Gretchen Rubin really resonated with me and reinforces your Use It or Lose It article from a few days ago. I can remember my grandfather teasing my grandmother for saving things (nice knives and forks) for “when we’re dead” instead of using them. It’s funny that we are so driven to acquire possessions but are then so hesitant to make use of them. I also thought the posts about eliminating negative words was spot on. I recently had an extended visit with my sister-in-law and really noticed how negative her speech was, especially using the word hate about so many things – weather, food, other people’s behavior, you name it. It has probably become a habit with her and she doesn’t even notice it, but it did nothing for the enjoyment of the visit!
Perhaps your sister needed this negativity pointed out to her because as you say she probably doesn’t realise she is exuding it. That is the problem with polite society, we don’t want to upset someone by pointing these things out as we ourselves would most likely find it offensive if someone did that to us. While at the same time we also my not realise how we are coming across and probably need someone to point it out to us.
Christine,
I so get you on hating it when people use the word hate all the time. Some words just instantly create an aggressive atmosphere. I am slowly trying to instill this thought into my boyfriend – and implement it for myself, too. It’s not about not talking about negative things or feelings. I don’t think we have to be or pretend to be happy-go-lucky all the time. But maybe we need to learn to talk about our dislikes more softly without verbally clenched fists all the time.
I agree Ideealistin. One should really temper their use of strong negative words and even emotions. When I find myself getting too negatively emotional or judgemental about something I look inward to find the reason because often the external influence is merely a trigger that sets off a reaction caused by my own weakness.
Well said y’all, God I hate having to listen to whinging whining people go on about how they hate chilli, dishes or ceramic wotnots ,Listen to her shouting like a banshee about watching some mindless boring soup show that has been re-hashed but I really hate the way people hate you for being judgemental about how she has her hair or have your hair and omg she is wearing make-up at her age!!!!!. HAHAHAHAHA I kid you not this is half the mash I overheard whilst sitting in a coffee shop watching the world go by!!! I could not believe what I was hearing but it amused me so. I am actually judging them myself for being judgemental, but hopefully in a fun way. What tickled me more was the fact that they went on and on about anything and everything and to be honest they weren’t exactly being nice about anyone. After a while it got very aggravating to the ears and started to get whiny again and then I started to feel depressed and my mood started to change and although I found it amusing at first, my whole attitude changed as time wore on. If I felt like that hearing it second hand how quickly would I feel bad using it myself or having to listen to someone say it to me. I could choose to move, and I did, I can look at people in an appreciative mindset and I will think before I open my trap. If you can’t say something nice try to think it instead!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Interesting anecdote Dizzy which actually makes another point about how we can allow ourselves to be affected by other people’s negativity or even over-react to “annoying” situations. Even when only eavesdropping on a conversation we can allow the subject matter and attitude of the participants to pervade our own mood. Much the same as when a driver who cuts you off, possibly unintentionally and oblivious to the result, in traffic and we allow ourselves to get all road raged about it. Non of us are perfect and more than once we are the annoying one to someone else so best to just let it go or use it as an example of “This is what I should not do…”. I have found myself doing this a lot lately.
Oh, that G. Rubin’ s post was all about me! I so tend to save the best things or things that I love for that one someday, not to use them too much because I feel like I will never be able to get something as nice and beautiful. While it might be true for those amazing flax towels and blankets made by my grand-grandmother or porcelain dishes from 1930-ties, it certainly is not for my new underwear or t-shirts!
Good thinking Anda. You let loose and enjoy those new undies and Ts and put the old ones in the bin or rag bag where they belong.
I went through a time when I was really into collecting glassware and barware. Of course we hardly ever used it all. Maybe a few times a year. I will be moving soon, so alot of the glassware will get donated to family or the thrift store.
Good for you Lisa.
Great reading this morning. Glad you got the wine glasses you wanted. I was given a glass of wine in the tallest glass last week , not a nice experience . Would have preferred it in a vegemite glass.
I agree with your thoughts on good old backyard clothes lines, I would miss the sanitising effect that the sun has on towels.
What Colleen said about Christine’s sister -in-law is pretty spot on. Sometimes we need to listen to what we say and get some feed back.
Cheers
Hi Wendy F, just make sure you also give me feedback if you think I am being too outrageous at time.
Never!
Liar!
Another great collection of web finds – and congratulations Colleen that Mr J Money has become such a fan and is spreading the word about your wonderful blog! I watched a couple of Peter Walsh’s TV shows and I loved that he always asked the participants about their vision for their home to keep them motivated – and that vision was always about enjoying a serene and happy life with their family and friends. And speaking of friends – you and the wise and wonderful group of people who contribute to your blog Colleen have created a friendship circle that stretches around the world.
Thank you Megan, a friendship circle of good and caring souls I believe. Who says one person can’t make a difference. 😉
Love the web finds. I was reminded of my mother in reference to the hoarding of new underwear. She would never wear anything new that was given to her nor would she use new dishes that were given to her. I do not know what she was fearful of. Most of the things she wore had long since seen the days of being “nice” clothing. As she got older, she came to live with my brother and his family. Over time, his wife got rid of the clothing which had long since been in good repair and forced her to wear her new clothing. Eventually, she enjoyed wearing her new outfits and she enjoyed the compliments that she would get from wearing them. When she passed away, I had to donate so many things, like dishes and crockery that she never used.
So I say, give the everyday set of dishes to a young couple who is starting out and use the nice dishes as your everyday. If you have something new to wear, do it, it may boost your spirits. Just don’t let things sit around waiting for the right occasion to use them. The only things that will happen is that they will collect dust and the right occasion may not come. It is doubtful, that your kids will want it either after you are gone. Life is too short. Use what you have or if you have too much, share it with others.
I liked the post too by Annienygma too. Thinking outside of the box, instead of running to the store to find the exact item needed. I try to do that with cooking ingredients, but sometimes that does not work out so great :).
Great example you had to make this point Jen. I agree, use it now, use it often no matter how good, expensive or breakable why not just enjoy what you have or give it to someone who will.
Hi Colleen! Great links as usual. Congratulations on being on Budgets Are Sexy, your blog is excellent and you deserve it. Although you had said on your post “Use it or Lose it” the same thing about using stuff you have and not saving it for later, in Gretchen’s post, the use of the word “hoard” really got to me. I hoard my clothes, my underwear, used to hoard that china I did not use, still do hoard some other china that I just save and never use. I never step outside my confort zone. I always do things that I know will not upset me in any way. However, as decluttering has made me happy, I don’t think I have to be upset or unconfortable to have results. Still I have been stretching my confort zone a lot lately 😀 .
Hi,
the thought of “stretching my comfort zone” is a nice one. I’m always put off if somwone claims that you have to do uncomfortable things to grow. Even if it would be faster that way. But walking a little at the safe side near the boarder of my comfort zone expands it. I think because the look of the “other side” becomes familiar.
While decluttering and getting more organized “the slow and easy way” I have found another thing happend.
My comfort zone shifts! Whereas in the past I was only comfortable when there were lots of things around now I enjoy “empty” spaces. (Still not as empty as in minimalist but emptier than ever.)
Speaking about underwear: Actually I like to have one or two pieces absolutely unused in my drawer. It is part of my natural progression decluttering ‘system’ there. When I come to use them it is about time to get one or two new ones because it means I have thrown out old ones that were used up. That way I don’t have to rush to the store when I have used up some underwear.
I love how you put that! “…walking a little at the safe side near the boarder of my comfort zone expands it…the look of the “other side†becomes familiar…” Awesome! That’s exactly how I do it! I used to feel ((embraced)) by things, but as my comfort zone is moving, the quantity that used to make me feel cozy is now a little smothering. Not near minimalist but definitely more open. I aim for some wall spaces that are clear now. It still makes me a “little” nervous, but in a positive way instead of negative.
I love that term, too!
For me that whole decluttering process has very little to do with stepping out of my comfort zone, ’cause that would mean making big decisions, big strides, adventures. For me it’s rather staying in the very centre of my comfort zone, with ME ,and extincting all the things of discomfort that somehow want to invade my comfort zone.
Hi Andréia, I have found that if I take small steps outside my comfort zone or at the very least question my discomfort outside this zone I learn from it and even sometimes expand the zone. Allowing it to shrink in on me is not an option. Keep testing that zone my friend and you might find that expanding your horizons isn’t so scary after all.