Category Minimalism

The garden declutter and procrastination….

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Ok, so been to California for a few weeks and had a social media break.

Spent today gardening because of the copious amount of weeds and dead flowers everywhere.  It was unbelievably hard work but quite gratifying when I finished.  Why do we procrastinate and end up with a backlog of jobs to do?

This seems to have been a problem lately, so in order to rectify this, will write a journal and plan more than I usually do.  Also, I’ve decided to ‘declutter’ my garden and not plant so much and spend more time outdoors.  Everything was being jumbled up and now I’ve cleared it all, it does look a lot better.

Yesterday, I took about 200 books to Oxfam and donated 2 guitars, a sax and amplifier to a local school.  They were delighted and I’m thrilled to have more space.  Fantastic all round.

(Saturday, 9 July)

 

Why is there so much clutter?

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After reading the book Stuffocation, I decided to declutter. What wasn’t expected was the change of mindset. Getting rid of copeous amounts of clothes, books, kitchen stuff seemed easy enough but it ripples throughout your life too. For example, I don’t waste time wondering what people think of me. Trying to be a people pleaser is nonsense and you are better to organise yourself, find what interests you and enjoy life.

We are programmed in society to be successful but the older you get, the more you realise that the latest car isn’t going to make you happy.  If you buy the car to get out and about and discover new experiences, well, that comes under the auspices of experience, and is different.

But most people seem to be glued to Netflix and don’t get out and about which is why the pub and restaurant trade is struggling.  It is worrying that you don’t hear what or where youngsters are going to socialise.  Ok, the local town has full pubs, but over the last few decades, society worries about material stuff which invariably becomes clutter.  But the tide is turning.  People don’t want to buy stuff from supermarkets and the large ones are closing.  What we want now is fresh, decent food which isn’t full of preservatives and sugar.

Have you changed the way you buy stuff? Do you cook more?  I’ve become interested in a plant based diet.  Let’s see where it all takes us.  Less clothes, fresh food and more experiences.  Sounds good, doesn’t it?

 

3 ways to start a phone/screen detox!

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Over the last few months, I’ve been slightly concerned that I’m looking at my phone too much. Not only that, I’ve become irritated by people using phones during social times such a eating in restaurants!

I’ve decided to reduce the amount I spend looking at screens and plan to do this by:

  • Leaving technology at home
  • Having tech free days (usually Sunday)
  • Pursuing life with vigour

Ok.  This is easier in the summer months.  When I go running or walking, I can explore local parks and fields because the mud has gone.  Also, I’ve realised that copeous amounts of destractions on the mobile, may not be conjucive to a good walk.  When I walk Oscar, it is better to simply enjoy the sunshine, mud, trees, bluebells, company and not be bothered by emails, texts, Facebook and so on.  I love it.

The tech free Sunday’s are also easy to incorporate into my life because  I have this thing about Sundays being a relaxing day.  Cooking and gardening may be slotted into this, but they are enjoyable pursuits.  I rarely bother with emails, texts and social on Sundays though.

However, I’m doing more online and wasting time so determined to reduce online activities to a minimal pursuit over the next few weeks and will keep you updated.  However, from July, the blogging will increase because I enjoy writing and researching interests.  This is useful and fun.  But I plan to walk, run, read (books), paint, cook, much more.  My phone will be consigned to the office or handbag, I have turned off notifications and I won’t take electronics to bed.  To be honest, I’m not too bad but suspect this has become an addiction for some!  I’m pleased we didn’t have the Internet in my youth.  Facebook at school must be a competitive nightmare.

Have you done any of the above?  Some people give social up completely for a while but that is not practical for all.  If we look online less, we don’t have to succumb to other people’s (political) agendas which will be fantastic, won’t it?  Or will we miss it?  Ha!  Join me and find out…

 

The Veggie Experiment

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Food is a passion and I enjoy cooking.  In fact, I cannot grasp the latest concept of “cooking from scratch” because, to me, there is no other way.  You are either cooking or not.  Warming up does not count.

There are minimalists who are on a vegetarian or plant based diet.  This is not for me.  However, I have become interested in the subject and explored the possibilities of eating meat free meals.  Weight is a battle for a lot of people and it is best to eat less bread, pasta, red meat and the worst culprit, sugar.  But most people don’t want to cut them out completely do they?

Eating an abundance of vegetables, lentils, chickpeas, couscous may be the answer, but it is harder to make them interesting.  Because of this, I came up with the idea of preparing packed up food for lunches for the following three reasons.

  • Health
  • Variety
  • Fulfilment (Cooking process and satiety)

Is is not about eating copious amounts of processed food and then regretting it and feeling like a blob or starving yourself.  It is about eating well.  Aim to have tasty recipes and enticing food by spending time on the food creation.  Buy locally sourced cabbage, sprouts, spinach, tomatoes, onions, apples and so on.  They will be far fresher, tastier and maybe cheaper.

Being a minimalist is not about owning less, it is about owning what you need to enjoy life.  I cannot claim to only own a few things, but I am on the journey.  What is fascinating, is the whole ideology of enjoying experiences and so have spent a few weekends exploring and experimenting with food prep for work lunches.

Here are some of the ones that I have enjoyed.  A few ingredients, prepared simply so that I can eat mindfully and feel satisfied.

Lentil Salad

Lentils, onion, pepper, lemon juice, olive oil, carrots, orange oil (by scrapping orange with fork), orange segments and mix.
Chickpea Winter Stew

Chickpeas, onion, passata, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, pine nuts, herbs, ground pepper.  Serve with couscous.

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Bean Salad

Kidney and mixed beans, passata, spinach, herbs, chilli, red pepper.  Serve with rice.

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They were packed up and frozen for the week’s lunches and enjoyed by all!

Thanks for visiting Mishmashmedia blog.  Twitter @mishmashmedia_

 

 

 

Minimalism is liberating…

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The organisation of the kitchen was not quite as arduous, as first feared. Wooden spoons, pans, cake tins have been disposed.  When modifying it is surprising how many implements gather over the years.  Oh and 2 woks, really?  The cupboards were cleaned, simplified and reorganised.  The fridge emptied, with a concerted focus of not overfilling again.  But the Yorkshire pudding tins aren’t going because a Sunday Roast is a necessity!

My aims for this month are:

All unused stuff going
Examine food purchases
Healthy lunches (research/experiment)

Now the kitchen is tidy, the research has started about new food ideas with the aim to eat and enjoy different food and experiment.  Overall, the minimalism ideology is liberating and reaching many other areas of life.  The focus is on making changes, explore other ways of living and enjoying experiences.  These include writing, photographing, clearing, cooking and running.  All of the above is the overall aim of this blog.

The food lunch preps have been going well and here is an example of the lentil salaaad. The next blog will be a foody one!

 

 

Minimal minimalism…

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There seems to be interest in this subject so I’ve decided to continue, periodically, to write about my experiences.

Recently, I asked a male family member what his plans were for 2016 and he looked blank. This is fair enough as we don’t plan ahead but it did surprise me.  After all, life isn’t a dress rehearsal and we need to crack on and try to make the best of it.  Don’t we?  One of my aims for this year, is to eradicate life’s clutter.  At the moment, I feel a fraud talking about minimalism as I sit in a room surrounded by books and stuff all over the floor!  Aaahh but come the weekend we are planning an exciting trip to the Oxfam charity shop.  They know we are coming…

My key reasons for embracing the minimalism ideology are:

  • Growth
  • Contribution
  • Experiences
  • Clarity
  • Contentment
  • Writing (finally)

This evening, I managed to fill another sack full of clothes.  However, I did grab back some blouses and a dress.  But, wow, my wardrobe looks quite reasonable now.  Aaah the time saved as I can see all my clothes.  Everything, is colour co-ordinated and organised.  Ha!  Lets see how long that lasts.  Also, the bedroom feels more chilled now the telly has gone to the British Heart Foundation.  Hopefully, it will do somebody some good.  Also, the e-reader is getting used because I don’t want to keep buying books too often.  Not sure if I will be able to stick to that one?

The trouble is it is a slow process and at the moment parts of the home still look quite messy but the cleaning is easier and everything does feel a lot clearer.  Should have done this years ago.

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The idea of simple living…

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After reading books like Stuffocation and articles about minimalism, I have started to embrace living more with less. Decluttering the home is how it starts but it soon spreads. It has changed my mindset. I now think more about what I buy, eat and how I spend my time. It hasn’t been easy and there is still too much stuff but it is going… We don’t need copious amounts of stuff and everything becomes less stressful without life’s clutter. As a student, I preferred time to money. I remember lending the book Walden (Thoreau) to family but they found it “boring to be honest” and didn’t get the message.

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life.”

The minimalist ideology provides an outlet to clear life’s path of clutter and leaves space for time, experiences, fulfilment and happiness. Most importantly it challenges you to think about the environment, waste and well, everything. I’ve decided to only purchase necessities this year and will keep you updated. However, I will experience life to the full – are you? FB_IMG_1456763530215