With simplicity our watchword for the year, I’ve been wondering if maybe this was a good time to think about doing less of some things. I’ve typically always asked myself what I could do more of (decluttering, saving, exercising, etc.) so What could you do less of? sort of threw me off balance at first.
I think I eat just about the right amount, don’t eat too many sweets, clean our apartment often enough, etc, I’m not a shopper, even online, don’t watch more than an hour or so of TV most days, and we really do have everything we need right now to get through the rest of our time here. However, I could:
- Spend less time on the sofa. I sit or lie down way too much. From the time I have my first cup of coffee in the morning until I head to bed at night, I am mostly either sitting or lying on the sofa. It’s where I read, write, watch TV, and so forth. I need to get up off of it more frequently if to do nothing more than walk back and forth in the apartment for a while.
- Spend less time on my laptop or phone. I had days at the end of last year where I was glued to my phone practically all day. I play a couple of games on my phone, and sort of got carried away with them and while I don’t plan to give them up I also don’t need to spend as much time on them as I have been. Checking twice a day would be more than enough. I also became addicted to Twitter last year, but finally let that go at the end the year (post Elon Musk takeover) and I’m better for it.
- Eat less meat. We began eating meat again when we went to Mexico, and currently eat meat most days, although no more than four ounces a day. We only have dairy occasionally (mostly cheese and ice cream), and eggs even less frequently. However, I think both Brett and I would do better eating less meat again. I loved how we felt in Hawaii when we were eating vegan and I’d kind of like to do more of that again. It’s honestly easier for me to menu plan and cook with meat though.
- Use less energy. We’re already pretty conservative when it comes to energy use (our utility bills – Internet, electric, and water – have never exceeded $150/month since we moved into the apartment), but I keep thinking I could find more ways to use less. I’ll have to think on this one for a while though to figure out where we might be able to cut back a bit more.
After I came up with this list, I realized none of them actually made life any more simple; in fact, they actually required me to do more of other things! And, I am – I’m walking more, reading more, watching our utility usage as well as how much meat we eat. All of those are good things though, so once again, less has turned into more.
The Occasional Nomads 
On my trip across the country and back, and ever since, I’ve built the habit of taking the girls out twice a day for a walk. Typically once in the morning for a longer one, and then our “promenade petit” in the afternoon before dinner. I know they love it, but I think it does wonders for my day and mental health as well. Win win! Maybe another smaller stroll in your day would be nice?
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Great idea! Kai gets walked 6-7 times a day (he still is a restless little puppy) but I could go out with Brett again on the last walk in the evening. (We can’t wait until he only wants/needs 2-3 walks a day).
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It’s so easy to get sucked into games on my phone. I have played Wordle since before the NYT bought it, but that’s usually pretty quick (or I give up and come back to it later), but I recently started playing Spelling Bee. I’ve been working at putting that down after a short time, too, or I spend way too much time on it. And I find myself sitting too much too. I have my Apple watch set to tell me to stand up every hour, but sometimes I just dismiss the message. 🤪
I’ve pretty much stopped watching the news and I don’t miss it. I am in a better mood, and I can look at headlines and read what I choose without sucking into the morass. TBH, I often just read things that are human interest or the like lately. The “real” news makes me crazy most days.
As for Twitter, Musk ruined it IMO. It was always a little dodgy, but now it’s just not even interesting. So many bots and “suggested” posts and ads. Ugh.
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I can’t remember the last time I watched the news or even read a paper. Twitter was a good source for breaking news but that’s gone. I still look at it once a day but not for long – it’s depressing these days.
I’m reading a lot more these days now that I’m not playing games with the intensity I did before. I ❤️ Spelling Bee, but thankfully avoided getting sucked in. Wordle was/is bad enough.
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At this stage of my life I don’t deny myself anything I can afford. If that includes eating what I want, sleeping when I want or doing what I want then so be it.
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I don’t think I deny myself anything these days, but know I feel better when I’m not on the sofa all day, or when I don’t eat so much meat. It’s more a case of being more mindful of areas where I can let myself take the easier path. We still have goals for the future and I want to stay more attuned to those and do more of (or less of) those things that get us there.
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As soon as I spring clean the house, I will feel accomplished! Unfortunately, I am procrastinating! Lol
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Soring cleaning has been very gradual here, with the grandkids in and out so much. I try to give myself a couple of projects each day to move forward. We’ve had better weather for walking so that helps as well. Anything to keep me moving!
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Maybe being in cold Nashville makes you not feel so well as you did in Hawaii.
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Winter has been a challenge, and I have greatly missed Hawaii’s (mostly) beautiful weather and being able to be outside so much. Spring is going to be a challenge here as well – I’m hoping allergies won’t be as bad as I’m afraid they will be. Trees are starting to blossom and my eyes and sinuses are already acting up. Oak trees (and there are plenty around us) are the big unknown.
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Interesting post. A lot of what I do these days involves sitting – computer work, reading, enjoying sitting on the front porch and watching the world go by (just a seasonal thing!), etc. But I have been trying to get up and move about more frequently, or even do some arm / leg motion while I am sitting. And I bought a little under-the-desk cycle that I use when I watch TV. I aim for between 30-60 minutes of cycling every day. My doc suggested this in preparation for knee surgery, since walking long distances is pretty much out of the question right now.
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I like the little cycle idea! We watch about 60 minutes of TV, and that would be a great way to keep me moving. Working at Trader Joe’s is going to help as well – supposedly one shift provides around five miles of walking. I really was a couch potato by the end of last year, so less couch and more activity this year is the goal! Anyway, which cycle did you get?
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It was the Desk Cycle 2 Under Desk Bike Pedal Exerciser on Amazon. It has adjustable legs so your feet don’t hit the ground. You can also adjust the levels of resistance and has an LCD display that shows time, miles, miles per hour, etc.
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Thank you!
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Do you think it would be a good idea to try living a little more simply? I’ve always thought that spending more time on the sofa was a bit of a problem for me, and I could probably do without a lot of other things.
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If not for watching our grandkids, our lives are actually quite simple (and sometimes boring right now). The kids keep us hopping though and our daily schedule is no longer simple, especially now that they’re involved in several extracurricular activities.
One of the reasons I applied for the job at Trader Joe’s was to get myself off the sofa and out of the house a bit more!
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