A simple mix of water, concentrated lemon juice, white vinegar and a few drops of lavender oil. See the recipe here
This solution is good for wiping down surfaces, and has the benefit of being food safe.
You will find these in the laundry aisle in most good supermarkets.
I make a solution with hot water, and this is the BEST degreaser I’ve ever come across. It shifts sticky cooking grease like nobody’s business. The commercial branded degreasers really don’t come anywhere close. Make sure you wear gloves though. Try it!!
Sprinkle on carpets, leave for 30 minutes, and then vacuum to freshen them
Laundry detergent: There are plenty of homemade, green recipes (e.g. here), and I will be switching to that once my big bottle of liquid runs out. Worth a try!
-it’s much cheaper
- it’s biodegradable and won’t harm the environment.
- non-toxic and food safe
- no harmful chemicals (although not good to eat)
- known ingredients (have you noticed commercial cleaners don’t come with ingredient lists?)
8 things to start using vinegar for
Non-toxic cleaning at EcoKaren
Thanks for reading! Will you be switching to green cleaners? Any questions, comments, ideas? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
I went on this course to learn how to listen better or more effectively, and came away knowing a lot more about myself too. Even though the course was focussed on listening to others, we were also encouraged to listen to ourselves.
After all, it’s difficult to help others and maintain a client caseload if you’re struggling with keeping all the balls in the air. More generally, it’s difficult to take care of everyone around us and close to us, if we aren’t looking after ourselves too.
The last session of the course focussed on self-care, and we dedicated 30 minutes to an art and craft activity - an A3 sheet of paper, a representation of us in the centre, surrounded by all the ways we look after ourselves. They gave us the SPICES framework:
Spiritual
Physical
Intellectual
Creative
Emotional
Social
and encouraged us to think of the ways we look after ourselves on the above dimensions.
Here is mine:
I wonder, am I making you uncomfortable? Is it uncomfortable to talk about self-care, when it is taboo and frowned upon to lift ourselves up in anyway, instead infusing every positive comment with sarcasm? Does it make us look selfish in any way? Or is it ok? I’ve often found that I’ve been met with a hint of disdain when I’ve talked about myself in a positive way, or how I’m doing something for me. Have you experienced that?
The point of this post is not to boast in any way about getting a certificate for my course. It’s a recognition of the fact that I did that course for me, and for me only. I didn’t do it under advice, coercion, or because I didn’t know what else to do (something that I’ve done often in the past). Straight away, the element of self-care pops out at me, that I did this course, for me. To learn and try something new, just because I felt like it.
Even if it’s uncomfortable to talk about, it is important to take care of ourselves. It restores energy, and allows us to give more freely of ourselves. And I mean always, not just when we’re ill, or run-down. It’s important to take care of ourselves, each day, each week, each month. It doesn’t have to be big, or cost any money. I’m not talking endless spa days here. I certainly can’t afford a spa-day or a massage every month!
It’s the little things that count. Seeing friends, a bath, a good book, exercise, going outside, sitting in the garden, engaging in a hobby, a hot drink, a spot of decluttering, an early night, listening to music, whatever makes you feel good and restored. There are millions of ideas for this, and even throwing out all stained and ratty clothing can feel like you’re looking after yourself (I did this just recently, and it’s brilliant). My personal favourite is putting on a big comfy hoodie (with the hood up), joggers and curling up somewhere comfy (yep, even in summer, especially after a day outside).
You could make up your own A3 poster, cut out pictures of things like we did on the course. You could follow the SPICES approach and see which areas need attention. You could write a list of the things you’ve done recently, and of things you’d like to do.
How do you look after yourself? If you don’t take time out just for you, how could you start? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
Thanks for reading!
I’ve well and truly broken the rules of my reading deprivation challenge today. I succumbed to a news reading and Facebook binge. I still haven’t opened my Reader nor have I watched a single minute of TV.
I’ve also been checking emails more than I stated in the rules, mostly because I’ve been chasing a no-show carpet cleaning company (so annoying).
I guess it’s not about finishing the challenge just for the sake of it. That would be similar to saying “I’m not a minimalist until I own 100 things, total”.
It’s about challenging ourselves to do something different, take ourselves out of our comfort zone for a while. I tell you, it really shows you what’s important and what isn’t.
I thought I enjoyed watching BBC Breakfast over breakfast, and thought I could never be without it, but that’s one of the lessons of this challenge. I don’t miss it at all, and I think I idolised the programme because it is/was/used to be mildly entertaining. All I’m really doing is filling my morning with depressing (and/or annoying) news about how the economy has gone down the pan, and what we should buy to fix it. Filling my morning with negative media is not something I want to be doing. It took the challenge to learn that.
I thought I needed the TV after dinner, to chill out, digest. This week I’ve sat facing my partner, and we’ve talked. We’ve played Scrabble, or just sat quietly. I’ve used the time for crafting and writing. Lesson two, I don’t need TV at all. I like watching the occasional show - The Killing, Homeland, and Game of Thrones - and will continue to do that, but no more mindless TV watching just to relax or pass the time.
Even though my mind was full to bursting, I’ve found it very hard to stop reading altogether. I caught myself reading quotes, a lesson on ISO settings, Facebook and Twitter feeds, and today, some blog posts and news articles. I have dramatically reduced my reading habit this week, and if nothing else, it has given me the space that I needed. I’m grateful for that.
I’ve also learnt that reading is essential to me. I have sadly found that I don’t have inspiration to write anything for the blog, unless I’m reading as well. I miss reading all of your blogs, and caught myself wondering why the bloggers hadn’t posted anything in a while. Oh wait, I just haven’t read them. It has highlighted for me the blogs I miss the most, and I can use that to declutter my reading list.
The challenge has removed the sense of urgency to check my Facebook, Twitter, email and Reader.
I am more inclined to find something to do, instead of sitting at the laptop. I’ve been crocheting, relaxing, playing Scrabble.
I’ve noticed the biggest difference has been during the morning. Instead of having the TV on, my computer on, and my breakfast in hand, and then rushing around trying to get ready for work - on account of getting distracted by the reading; I’ve peacefully sat with my breakfast, and enjoyed some quiet time before work. I love the morning for its peacefulness.
And so, I declare the reading deprivation challenge over. It was making me sad not reading all my favourite blogs and interacting with the amazing community.
I don’t miss the TV, and would much rather use my time for something productive, creative, or writing related.
I want to use my mornings for quiet reflection and writing practise, instead of madly rushing around.
Reading is absolutely essential to me, and I find words hard to ignore. Especially my favourite blogs.
The fear of missing out is very much diminished.
If you’re glued to the TV most days, and don’t know why; try going without.
If you’re rushing around in the morning, stressing about getting ready, wake up 10 minutes earlier, remove all distractions, and sit quietly for 10 minutes. It helps the general stress levels.
Find out what is essential to you by cutting out something automatic that you use to pass the time, such as reading or playing on the computer, or Angry birds on your phone.
The only way to test the fear of missing out is to intentionally miss out. It’s less scary than you think.
What is automatic for you? What passes the time? Could you eliminate it for a few days to see how important it really is? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Most of all, I miss reading my favourite blogs, and feeling part of the blogging community.
Other than that, I don’t miss the tv, or the news. The news is rather depressing most of the time, so I have no great hurry to read up on it.
I accidentally scanned an article on ISO settings before remembering that I wasn’t allowed to read. It struck me how automatic and instinctive it was. It happened without any conscious thought, and it makes me wonder how much information we consume without knowing it. Heaps, I suspect.
I think I have been less stressed since I started the challenge. I’ve also made good progress on my craft projects, and have generally enjoyed being without passive entertainment (TV).
- I’ve crocheted almost a whole rug. I will show you that soon.
- I’ve played Scrabble, listened to music, and written in my journal.
I’ve noticed a sense of quiet from doing the challenge. I have more space for my thoughts now, and capacity to think outside the box. I’m even considering abandoning my desk and building a cosy corner instead.
I’ve not missed Facebook and Twitter as much as I thought I would. I think it’s just habit. Now I have to write something for the blog before I log in.
Overall, the fear of missing out isn’t that strong anymore. If anything, I’m gaining clarity, peace and relaxation through curbing my consumption of words.
I feel slightly nervous that I’m not going to be reading any of your blogs in the next few days, but I hope you don’t take offence. When I finish the challenge, hopefully I will have some interesting insights to share!
Reading deprivation has forced me to come up with something to do if I’m bored, rather than waste away hours at the laptop. It’s an encouragement to produce, rather than consume.
Have you found a balance between producing and consuming? What’s your favourite thing to produce? I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
The signs are all there. They’ve been building up, showing me something, and today the last one appeared.
First, “shadow artists”.
“Artists love other artists. Shadow artists are gravitating to their rightful tribe but cannot yet claim their birthright. Very often audacity, not talent, makes one person an artist and another a shadow artist–hiding in the shadows, afraid to step out and expose the dream to the light, fearful that it will disintegrate to the touch.”
Read more at:http://skinnyartist.com/an-artists-bookshelf-the-artists-way-by-julia-cameron/
Third, this TED talk. I’ve heard of this person, but always glanced on by.
"Reading deprivation is a very powerful tool - and a very frightening one. Even thinking about it can bring up enormous rage. For most blocked creatives, reading is an addiction"
"In my teaching, the week that I assign reading deprivation is always a tough one. I go to the podium knowing that I will be the enemy"
A what? Yep, I was as surprised as you might be now. Deprive yourself of reading material for a whole week. Watch out for all the fillers too, radio, TV, mindless consumption of information.
Yes way.
It felt right to move on to the next chapter of the Artist’s way. I’ll tell you more about that one day.
And on the first page came a warning: “Do not ignore the reading deprivation tool”. The author knows us human beings and how we shy away from challenges, things that might seem too hard or impossible. She knows. She says “even at the safe remove of the written word, I can feel the shock waves of antagonism about trying this tool" Too right, you can. Twenty odd years later (the book is that old).
Out came the excuses, (as predicted by the author) :
- how will I get through my day without reading?
- all the blog posts I can’t read
- the magazines
- the news
- how will I occupy myself?
-I can’t do this! I will die of boredom!
- and so on...
I had in mind to delay this, but the signs are too strong. I start now, or not at all.
-All my favourite blogs are in an aptly named “Favourites” folder in my Reader, and they will conveniently still be there next week for me to catch up on. There will be 30-40 articles in there. Yikes.
- Social media is limited to posting links to my blog (as I’m definitely allowed to write/create).
- No TV, radio or news
- No reading books.
- I can read patterns to make things (I’m currently crocheting something awesome).
- I respond to emails as part of my job, so I still need to do that.
- I can check my email twice per day, once in the morning, once in the evening. Anything that is a newsletter, blog update or other “no-reply” item, will be put in a folder to read later. I can read comments on my posts and respond.
- The author gives us permission to read the chapter in the book, and the tasks for the week.
- Because my mind feels saturated, full to bursting, and there is little room for me to come up with my own ideas.
- I mindlessly consume my favourite blogs, the amazingly inspiring articles, and they don’t have a chance to impact me in the way that they could if I had space to take in their message.
- Reading is my addiction because I think that if I read enough, I will eventually have the courage to write.
- Because the signs are there, random or otherwise, and I’m choosing to notice them. I could safely ignore them, but I’d always wonder what if. I’d also be forsaking/limiting any benefits of this challenge.
- I love challenges. They are fun/scary (at the same time). They are educational. They inspire growth. They encourage reflection. They take us out of our comfort zone, and that is only a good thing.
- I could speculate on the benefits of this challenge, I could take it with a pinch of salt, I could do it half-heartedly. Sure. But then I won’t discover the full benefits, and may end up considering it pointless.
-Scared
-Apprehensive
-Excited
-Surprised
-Anxious
-Doubtful
- Worried
These feelings are all good signs of growth. Personal growth is scary, induces anxiety, and uncertainty. And as Brene Brown said in her talk, it makes us vulnerable (in a good way - I invite you to watch the video).
I’m going cold turkey on my addiction to information, blogs, articles, facebook, twitter, books and other reading material.
Flippin heck. Why do I do these things to myself??
p.s. you might see more posts from me in the next week. If I don’t die of boredom first ;)
This is one of the minimalism mantras. You will find references to it here, here.
“oh, the sewing machine is ALL the way over theeere.”
“I have no time, I’ve got laundry, cleaning, work, and all this paperwork, to sort out”
“Hand-quilting is sooooo booooooring”.
“I’m not very good at choosing fabrics, or I can’t find a pattern”
Meh. I’ve used them all. But you know what? I absolutely LOVE creating things. It’s been something I’ve always come back to, and I love learning new things in the crafting world. So why all the excuses?
Because I tend to convince myself that I shouldn’t use the time for something I LOVE. Sound familiar?
Here’s an idea:
It works, trust me. I set aside 1.5 hours each week, to go and meet my writing group. Nothing else happens here except writing and connecting with close friends. There are no distractions involved. I often achieve my best and most insightful writing at these times. I am convinced it is because I give myself permission to spend the time, just writing. In contrast, if I try to write or craft or do something at home, there are always distractions.
My answer to this is to set aside time for myself to work on my projects. I don’t get enough of the awesome satisfaction of finishing a project, because I rarely work on them. Therefore, I’m turning my crafting into one of my essentials, to spend time on each week. I can’t wait!
Blogging is also essential to me, but I only have limited time. Therefore, I’ve withdrawn from the 52 weeks of happy project (sorry Jen, and all the others), because I spent too much time worrying about having enough variety in those posts. I'm grateful for the project though, because it helped me notice the small things that bring pleasure.
The increased crafting time will also give me some stuff to show you on the blog, as I have various works in progress and things to make! Exciting stuff (I think so anyway)
p.s. My 12mm crochet hook arrived in the post (a present from my partner), and the rug in progress got unravelled to make way for the awesome Simply Crochet pattern, instead of just winging it! Yipeeeeeeeee
Your turn. What are your essentials, and how do you make time for them? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
I love the look of the dark spindly branches against the bright blue sky.I’ve chosen to reward myself for my hard work this winter.
After much deliberation (about two months) and finally choosing my reward at the weekend, an entry level DSLR camera , I’ve come to realise that minimalism isn’t really about the stuff in the end. It’s not about owning the least amount of possessions. It’s not a competition over who can have the best, and most simple decor, or the amount of white walls in our homes. It’s not about decluttering either. Getting rid of the excess is just a means to an end.
The end, and simultaneously, the beginning, is learning what is important. Freeing up space allows us to discover what else there is besides stuff. It’s the beginning of a new life full of discovery.
I’ve discovered a passion for writing, rekindled my creative endeavours, and have dipped my toe into the world of photography. I am learning what is important to me.
This blog is important to me, and because I am a visual person, the look of my blog is important too. Hence, developing the ability to take better photos is important to me.
My new camera is pretty awesome, but it’s not the plastic casing and the technology per se that I lust after. I could amass a great collection of lenses, a tripod and all the kit in the world (given the money), but there’s no point in owning all of those if they just sit on a shelf, untouched.
The camera is just a tool to get me closer to something I love doing. It’s not the camera, but learning how to use it that will add value to my life, and will challenge me to be creative with a new medium.
How about you? What is truly important to you? Feel free to share in the comments.
