Simplify your life

[Ludi]

The challenge is to remain optimistic and cheerful in the face of non-positive events and news, and around other people who don't understand the concept of limits, which is just about everyone I know in the meat world.

I hear ya!

I like challenges.

You're a brave man!

[efarmer]

Full Catastrophe Living by Jon Kabat-Zinn is a great book. It teaches a technique of using Buddhist philosophy and cognitive therapy to learn how to bring peace of mind and harmony to your dealing with other people, but without the associated cultural or religious connotations. I.E. Keep your culture and religion but bring yourself some peace and have some spare left over to share with those around you.
This is scientifically created and proven technology based on things that are proven historically. It's completely free and only requires that you own 1 human body and mind.

We are the minority of people who want to be informed of large issues that will change our culture and lives, and it is only fitting that we find out how to be in the best state to reconcile our minds and bodies to the task and have them able to keep us to the good in chaos and uncertainty. I have noticed lately that there is much more respectful and useful debate and correspondence on the forum. This is a wonderful development because it tells me we are turning the corner from informed panic to how to be true and capable surfers of chaos.



We have to get good at not living in fear in a time of increasing fear stimulus.

I wish all of you a resilient and fear shedding mind as we travel through the coming times.

Make the most of the best and the least of the worst.

EF

[dixonge]

We embarked on a simplification process a few years ago. We shed all our debt, then when it came to the house we were 5 years in with a negative $50,000 equity so were forced to walk (it goes on sale at the courthouse Tuesday)! We've been in a 1-bedroom apartment since April and have truly enjoyed the smaller space and relative simplicity. We have begun the next phase by purchasing a used truck and have begun perusing trailers. Our intention was to retire early this next summer and hit the road, seeing the sights.

And then I discovered this whole 'peak oil' thing. I watch too many damned documentaries. It is true what they say: 'Ignorance is bliss.'

So now we're trying to figure out what to do next. Either way, keeping it simple helps us be nimble for which ever direction we choose...

[vtsnowedin]

We embarked on a simplification process a few years ago. We shed all our debt, then when it came to the house we were 5 years in with a negative $50,000 equity so were forced to walk (it goes on sale at the courthouse Tuesday)! We've been in a 1-bedroom apartment since April and have truly enjoyed the smaller space and relative simplicity. We have begun the next phase by purchasing a used truck and have begun perusing trailers. Our intention was to retire early this next summer and hit the road, seeing the sights.

And then I discovered this whole 'peak oil' thing. I watch too many damned documentaries. It is true what they say: 'Ignorance is bliss.'

So now we're trying to figure out what to do next. Either way, keeping it simple helps us be nimble for which ever direction we choose...

Does walking away from the house leave you with a loser credit score and put you in a COD situation from now on?

[Jenab]

8) I haven't washed a car in thirty years. Being five miles from the nearest pavement makes it a waste of time. They last just as long dirty. I heat my house with wood I cut off my land and nothing else.I can't leave it in the winter without a house sitter or draining the pipes. Snowed in with a full wood shed and a pantry and freezer full of food is a good feeling.

Yep. And having a big pile of science fiction and fantasy books that you haven't read already helps a lot, too.

[vision-master]

Simple Man

[Cog]

The biggest thing we have done over the last three years is to tackle our debt and pay it down. The last two bills will be gone next year(fingers crossed) leaving the mortgage only. Everything now is paid for in cash and that really makes us think before we buy anything. I'm expanding my suburban garden again, not because its simple to grow food, but because it tastes a lot better and I'm learning a lot from the process.

[vision-master]

So do all Republican deny global warming?

there is no such thing as "global warming". Another myth by liberals.

Well, let's call it climate change and no we are not the cause, but it's happening - ready for that ice age. It's overdue...........

[SpringCreekFarm]

I don't consider less labour as less simple. Sure, it's harder work to cut firewood and do as much of the work in my life myself but I think it's simpler than chasing money and hiring contractors and depending too much on the world around me. I would live an even simpler life if my wife was more into it. Everything requires balance.

[jdmartin]

I don't consider less labour as less simple. Sure, it's harder work to cut firewood and do as much of the work in my life myself but I think it's simpler than chasing money and hiring contractors and depending too much on the world around me. I would live an even simpler life if my wife was more into it. Everything requires balance.

I agree with this in a lot of ways. I find it's simpler to do a lot of things myself than it is to try to find good people to do them for me. Saving the money ends up being a bonus.

[SpringCreekFarm]

I don't consider less labour as less simple. Sure, it's harder work to cut firewood and do as much of the work in my life myself but I think it's simpler than chasing money and hiring contractors and depending too much on the world around me. I would live an even simpler life if my wife was more into it. Everything requires balance.

I agree with this in a lot of ways. I find it's simpler to do a lot of things myself than it is to try to find good people to do them for me. Saving the money ends up being a bonus.

Very true. I think that was one of the reasons I started to learn to do things for myself; contractors of today are largely hacks. They want top dollar to do a job that is rushed and consisting of shoddy workmanship.

On the other hand...it could be argued that we do-it-yourselfers are part of the unemployment problem because we don't employ people to do our work.

[Unconventional Ideas]

Having been in the carpet cleaning industry for 17 years, I can verify that most of my peers are hacks. They talk and act like they are gods. They do the fastest job possible.

I've taken flak for being a slow carpet cleaner; for not spouting the party line.

Thing is, I'm busy; booked a month out. Apparently customers like my approach.

[Newfie]

Here are a couple of simplicity related sites. They both relate to sailing as well. Enjoy.

Sailing, simplicity and the pursuit of happiness.

http://sailingsimplicity.com/?cat=9

Sologrande

http://www.sologrande.com/

[patience]

We started a long time ago. In 1974 we got the message about PO, and planned our move from the industrial city back to the country. It took until 1978 to achieve that. Built a nice 45 acre homestead and lost it all to circumstances beyond our control.

Started over. By 1999, we had our one acre and home paid for. In 2003, I started a repair shop business at home, and kept it debt free, made some money and built up the homestead aspeccts of our place. Closed the shop and retired this year; wife retired a couple years ago. We do the homestead thing, growing everything except meat, so far. Putting in wood heat, now operating on our own cistern instead of county water system, working on solar PV, cut energy usage, and DIY for almost everything.

No TV since 1978, no movies, no blaring radio. I can hear the chickens, even though we live on a state highway. Not much traffic now. Property taxes are low due to the area where we live, our 2 old pickups are cheap to insure and license, and health insurance is from my wife's last job at affordable rates. Stocked up now, we can live on about half of our income from SS, and a lot less is necessary.

Yeah, wood heat takes some effort, but IMHO, not as much as it would take to work/earn/pay for conventional heat. Remember, if you spend $1,000 for heat in the winter, you have to earn far more just to pay the taxes on that money. How much time does that take? Personally, I'd rather spend a lot less time messing with the wood heat than working the job.

[LGW]

Sold off my car

Threw the fixed line broadband connection in the trash, now using a ~128-220 kbps unlimited wireless EDGE connection via my phone as a modem which costs about $3 a month in my country. Hey it's a bit slow by todays standards for sure, but this means you won't waste immeasurable hours of your life on youtube clips of questionable value.

Trying to focus on things that have a somewhat withstanding value, not just services that give rise to short term economic circulation. I.e. knowledge in mathematics, fixing machines, growing crops, philosophy, etc.

[Shaved Monkey]

Sold everything in the city about 12 years ago.
Moved from Temperate to Sub tropics.
Bought this house in the middle of nowhere 11 years ago,planted lots of fruit trees and installed a computerised watering system.
Only found out about peak oil a few years ago, but was always trying to simplify my life as I discovered permaculture 20 years ago.
Sub tropics means no need for lots of clothes or heating or cooling and longer growing periods.
Now I grow more,barter more,make more,cook more,fix more,learn more,share more,get involved with the community more and shop less, drive less,earn less,spend less,use less and waste less.

[SeaGypsy]

Has anyone stayed bored since learning about peak oil? Seems like once the Kubler- Ross business is done with most folks get on and do some very cool stuff.

[Blacksmith]

I have to agree with the KISS princple.

Interesting that a blog on peak oil carries an add for a RAM 2500!

[careinke]

Since my "wage slave" emancipation 9 years ago, I've significantly simplified my life. Self sustainability, disaster prep, reducing eco footprint, permaculture or whatever you want to call it has become my hobby/passion. I have to say I'm having a blast with it.

My health has improved
I've learned a lot of cool stuff
I've significantly reduced the amount of money I need
I've discovered an underground economy I did not know existed
I produce food that is chemical free, tastier, and fresher than I can get in the store
I have more time to volunteer, educate, and help others become more self sufcient
I have a lot less anxiety about a collapse

Anyway, my two cents.