No, it's not perfect.
There's far too much stress put on people these days to be something they are not, and not enough celebration of who they are and what they have achieved to get there.
(Please feel free to shout this from the rooftops - but not being perfect, you'll probably need two or more breaths-in to achieve this!)
I'm not just talking about spending ££sm but that does fit into my rant..
Let me explain:
Two eras I am very interested in British history is the Victorian era - currently there is a social experiment TV programme showing how the poorest people would have managed - and the era I have my 'heart' in: Britain in the Blitz, and how everyday folks managed on rationing with death and devastation all around them.
And one contemporary way of life that fascinates me is the Amish: again, managing with what you have and living that way.
Now then.
I am proud to be a manager.
I don't go out to work, so I don't mean that I manage people in a big office; no.
I manage our tiny home on what we have.
I manage. We manage.
We have been asked several times by different folk when we are planning to change our car.
Our car was bought nearly-new, second-hand a good few years ago when we were both in full-time work.
It has taken us over 170,000 miles.
It goes from A to B, locks each end, keeps the rain out, is safe (passes MOT and has regular services) and legal.
We manage with the car we have.
Every month we don't need to pay out anything for the car - we don't owe anyone finance on it, if it needs no work doing to it - we put away an amount that so far has covered anything that has needed doing over the years.
When either (a) the car can't manage to do our calling anymore or (b) it is simply not economical to repair it, we will replace it.
With another vehicle.
That does the job.
We won't be buying a new one.
Or the latest model.
Or one with extra gadgets.
Or with a super deal if we only x, y, or z...
But our current car - and any future ones won't be 'perfect' because we want them to be a method of transport. That's it.
Our clothes, I've blogged before about, are rarely new; we can manage/repair what we have, and enjoy looking around for a particular 'thing', for example a pair of trainers for me. (I had a new pair to get married in 13 years ago, and recently got a second hand pair on eBay.) We have patches in hidden places, and alter second hand items to fit. We both love charity shop clothing as it goes towards helping someone (or some animals), it helps to avoid landfill, and we look unique!
It's not perfect, but it's good enough.
When we shop for food, meal plan and cook, we adapt for what we have, or for cheaper ingredients.
We have a list of foods that we prefer to eat, and tend to stay around these.
Tonight was an example of adapting to fit; as we popped to the supermarket for vegan cheese, they were just reducing a whole bunch of foods and we were able to grab a pot of hummus for 29p and two bags of fresh gluten free pasta for 39p each instead of £2 each.
Our meal tonight changed to a pasta one.
It's not perfect, but it saved us money and was blinking tasty!
Aiming for good enough is the best way to be.
Trying to be perfect is just madness - but worse is criticising other people for living differently.
It doesn't have to be perfect.
(Please feel free to shout this from the rooftops - but not being perfect, you'll probably need two or more breaths-in to achieve this!)
I'm not just talking about spending ££sm but that does fit into my rant..
Let me explain:
Two eras I am very interested in British history is the Victorian era - currently there is a social experiment TV programme showing how the poorest people would have managed - and the era I have my 'heart' in: Britain in the Blitz, and how everyday folks managed on rationing with death and devastation all around them.
And one contemporary way of life that fascinates me is the Amish: again, managing with what you have and living that way.
Now then.
I am proud to be a manager.
I don't go out to work, so I don't mean that I manage people in a big office; no.
I manage our tiny home on what we have.
I manage. We manage.
We have been asked several times by different folk when we are planning to change our car.
Our car was bought nearly-new, second-hand a good few years ago when we were both in full-time work.
It has taken us over 170,000 miles.
It goes from A to B, locks each end, keeps the rain out, is safe (passes MOT and has regular services) and legal.
We manage with the car we have.
Every month we don't need to pay out anything for the car - we don't owe anyone finance on it, if it needs no work doing to it - we put away an amount that so far has covered anything that has needed doing over the years.
When either (a) the car can't manage to do our calling anymore or (b) it is simply not economical to repair it, we will replace it.
With another vehicle.
That does the job.
We won't be buying a new one.
Or the latest model.
Or one with extra gadgets.
Or with a super deal if we only x, y, or z...
But our current car - and any future ones won't be 'perfect' because we want them to be a method of transport. That's it.
Our clothes, I've blogged before about, are rarely new; we can manage/repair what we have, and enjoy looking around for a particular 'thing', for example a pair of trainers for me. (I had a new pair to get married in 13 years ago, and recently got a second hand pair on eBay.) We have patches in hidden places, and alter second hand items to fit. We both love charity shop clothing as it goes towards helping someone (or some animals), it helps to avoid landfill, and we look unique!
It's not perfect, but it's good enough.
When we shop for food, meal plan and cook, we adapt for what we have, or for cheaper ingredients.
We have a list of foods that we prefer to eat, and tend to stay around these.
Tonight was an example of adapting to fit; as we popped to the supermarket for vegan cheese, they were just reducing a whole bunch of foods and we were able to grab a pot of hummus for 29p and two bags of fresh gluten free pasta for 39p each instead of £2 each.
Our meal tonight changed to a pasta one.
It's not perfect, but it saved us money and was blinking tasty!
Aiming for good enough is the best way to be.
Trying to be perfect is just madness - but worse is criticising other people for living differently.
It doesn't have to be perfect.
If only more people had your laudable attitude to life! We also have an old car, bought when it was just a year old and it's now 16! But it was a good car when we bought it and we've looked after it, had it serviced and kept it clean. It has always passed its MOT. Why saddle ourselves with the cost of a new one when we don't need to? A car is a means of transport, I think a lot of people forget this and instead it's a status symbol.
ReplyDeleteMargaret P
Hear Hear.
ReplyDeleteSo with you on this subject and your favourite eras in history are exactly the same as mine! I am fascinated to learn how women in particular managed their households against the odds. I have learnt a lot about managing my own from them. Darning socks is something I have never done - till now, I remember watching my nan do this and I have a wooden mushroom just like hers, shame not to use it! Tam
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right! Our car is very old and shabby but it still gets us where we need to go. I am tired of being told we 'need' a new car.
ReplyDeleteWell said! There is far too much 'must have the latest'....to have the 'perfect' home, car, clothes, designer this, designer that....
ReplyDeleteI think all of the above IS just perfect because it is absolutely right for you and perfect can mean that.
ReplyDeleteAnd contentment is a big one too.
J x
Spooky.....the 3 periods of history you like best are my favourites too and the car thoughts are mine too and how we were for many many years until recently and how we will be again soon.
ReplyDeleteMany of our clothes are charity shopped and more would be if only I didn't have a big bum!! and looking round the house most things are secondhand or very old.
Not a lot is perfect here but it's a comfy life.
Sounds perfect to me, you have all that you need and are happy. How is that not perfect?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a perfect 'not' perfect way to live :) We are so lucky my husband has a good job so I can stay home but there will be no new big motors or holidays in the Maldives any time soon lol. That's ok, we are in our 30's and are friends are baffled why we wouldn't get new clothes (except undies) or a big car. We just say we don't need it we have each other, our daughter a miserable cat and a lovely life. Stuff doesn't replace time :) it seems a little lost on some of the people we know ''Why not get an audi? ...ummm because i have a fab car that goes from a-b and we own it.
ReplyDeleteIt's our perfect :)
VERY well said! And I agree completely. I too have an old car (1998)but it gets me where I need to go. I don't need a new car, and certainly don't need the debt to go with it. Those poor people who have suggested you need a new car - they must be very unhappy if they think they need everything perfect - that goal is completely unachievable, and madless lies within that way.
ReplyDeleteYep. Agreed. My car WAS bought brand new - almost certainly the last time I will be able to do that. MrEH's was bought at7 years old, for £2,000. Both are now well over 100k miles and still going - and we will hang onto both until it's no longer economically viable to do so. If MrEH's throws up a lot of advisories at it's next MoT test it will probably get moved on shortly thereafter. A car for me isn't a status symbol - it's a means of transport.
ReplyDeleteForgot to add - the Victorian Slum thing w3as brilliant - thoroughly enjoyed it, although I DO wish they'd got them to use the money of the time, but explained the difference in value as they went along.
ReplyDeleteI think Pam has said what I needed to say-needs not wants and be content within yourselves. Currently perpping with donated materials for my upcycling group. I'm not paid for doing it but the women are so lovely and willing to try using any donated/ thrifted materials that it is a pleasure. Catriona
ReplyDeleteAgree with everything you've said. Never ever had a brand new car - current one is 17 yrs old and is fine. Can't understand folk who go into huge debt to get from A to B. Same applies to most areas of my life.
ReplyDeleteWriting from Louisiana, happy with a 21 yr old car, that "runs good" in local parlance! ldc
ReplyDelete