Tag Archives: comparisons

Wednesday musings

Posted in budgeting, budgets, California, cooking, Gratitude, reading, Uncategorized by

Frugal Girl has a good post on her blog to read. It’s about not comparing where you are in life to others, especially when we are all in different seasons of our lives. It helped me reframe some of where I am. Especially when it comes to traveling, money, and lots of other small things. I’d love to keep traveling like I did with Barclay in the RV, but I can’t trailer the RV. So, after I sell it this spring, how can I create a traveling vehicle? Also, I have a very small fixed income that got smaller after Barclay died( by 1/3 less). I am, though, very grateful that what I do get from SS pays the bills. So comparing myself to people still working and earning is a thief of joy and results in only negative thinking. It makes no sense to do those comparisons, as, like I said, we are all in different seasons of our lives. I will accept where I am and my limitations as well. I say limitations, as that is a fact of getting older. I can’t walk as far as I once did. I can’t do lots of things that even 5 years ago I could, such as getting down on the floor to clean corners or the floor. Nope, it’s not happening, and I accept that. ( maybe begrudgingly):)

I am only going to focus on what I can do as FG suggested. I am going to focus on my own internal process and do what I can to still live my best life. I can still do some traveling, it’s just how I can add that in and afford it. I can still do moderate walking, which is something I love, plus always reading and cooking. Those things don’t cost money and add joy to my life.

Yesterday, I went to the Roseville gym and library. I had about 5 books on hold that were due to come off the hold list. From there, I went to TJ’s to get a couple of gift cards to give my kids. I’ve been struggling with the whole gift-giving this year, especially with Barclay gone. I like giving my kids gifts and have always gone somewhat overboard. Nothing crazy, but still more than I can do now. So, in addition to the TJ’s card, I’m giving each some cash, for my son a dinner out with his partner, and my daughter to go and use at the nursery. It’s all a big adjustment, but necessary since money-wise, I can’t really do much more. I’m sure I will adjust and, in time, be ok with it. Since this is the first Christmas/Hanukkah without B, I’m quite emotional about it all. Time is a great healer, and I’m sure things will get easier as time goes by.

It’s finally raining here in N. California after a very beautiful fall break with lovely sun( at least here in the foothills, the valley has been socked in Tule fog). I’m not sure if I’m going down to the pool or waiting till tomorrow. It’s only 6:30, so I have time to get a sense of the day. I have some decluttering to do with some books and some of the Christmas things my son didn’t want.

My son took us to Grass Valley to see the Christmas decorations. It was lots of fun. He makes quite an effort to do things with me. There they are side by side. My lunch was delicious. A turkey green chili sandwich.

Influencers on YouTube

Posted in California, Uncategorized by

Frugal girl, Kristen, wrote an interesting post about people on YouTube and TikTok ( which I’ve never seen) filming grocery hauls and organizing pantries with lots of clear plastic containers and decanting everything. She got a huge response. It certainly got me thinking about how tired I am of bloggers saying the same thing over and over about minimalism. Who is trying to be an influencer??

There are a number of Youtubers I used to really like for their unique approach and freshness. One of them is Shannon Torres. She lives in So Cal and I liked her vlog to begin with and followed her for quite a while. She used to start each video with” I hope you’re having an amazing day”. I really liked her enthusiasm. But finally, when she started getting to 20K, and 30K followers, it changed ( she no longer says that; it’s much more curated). Now it’s all about 10 things to declutter today or 20 ways to simplify. Now it’s just rehashing over and over. I still go over and check once in a while but not too often.

The same with Scandish Home. When she started out in Portland in a small house, it was really charming and she’s a wonderful cook and homemaker. Then they moved outside of Portland to quite a lovely place but it’s now how to simplify 50 ways or clean 25 ways. Some of it is fun to watch but I’m not sure it’s really all that simple anymore. Granted, this is how she is earning money but ?? I still like watching her, It’s just now with 300 K+ + followers, it seems a bit forced at times. Her editing though is very professional.

I’m not putting these people down in any way. They’re trying to earn a living and like Scandish Home’s vlog is creative and beautifully presented. It does seem though as if in every video she’s buying some new organizing thing from Ikea or rearranging a closet.

It just seems to me everyone is on the bandwagon of minimalism, decluttering, and slow living. I get it but when it’s pounded into the ground maybe it’s time to step back and really simplify by living one’s life and not living it( or fake living it) while making videos.

Maybe I’ve just reached a place where I kind of have incorporated most of that into my life. I do get value from new organizing ideas or new cooking ideas so I like to watch YouTubers do that. Bayley made It is in NZ and she is authentic and does great vlogs. She actually changed her blog from ‘minimom’ which was about being a minimalist with 2 young kids in a very small condominium to her sewing and knitting projects. I really respect her for self-reflecting on the whole minimalism thing and changing her blog.

There’s Benita in Stockholm. She is a true minimalist and lives it too. She has gotten a little more curated in the past year but her apartment and life in Stockholm is so interesting I still like watching. Plus she loves her cat Bonus. Mimi died last year( her tortie cat).

I guess I think many of these YouTube influencers are really in it for the money. At some point, they seem to lose that initial freshness and sharing ideas that do work to repeating the same things over and over.

For instance, ‘The Non-consumer Advocate’ blog has thousands of followers and she still keeps it real and on target with what she advocates. I think that’s a rare thing. We are all so inundated with ideas from all over social media that it can become addictive. It’s easy to start comparing how your own life is to what you see and I certainly do that too. I live in a very small house, it’s not magazine quality. The kitchen certainly isn’t a showcase nor are there any closets except one. Most of the influencers I watch on occasion have VERY fancy houses and the kitchens are spacious with granite or marble counters and everything is perfect. I could easily fall into the trap of comparison.

Fortunately, I’m older and most of that doesn’t affect me ( well, maybe I’d like my kitchen counters redone). Well, I’ll get off the soapbox now and go watch some Youtube. (just kidding)….