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164 days ago

Downsize to a richer, happier life

Charles Fleming Retirement Village

What do you want to do with your life? Would you like to travel, downsize, have more money and more free time? Do you ever feel like your stuff holds you back, but the thought of decluttering just seems too hard? If so, you’re not alone.

This is the first of a series of articles dedicated to helping you to downsize, declutter and rightsize your life, brought to you by Ryman Healthcare in conjunction with decluttering expert Peter Walsh.
When helping people to declutter, Peter never starts by focusing on the stuff itself. Every item in your home has a story, so the first step is to think about what that story is.

Maybe you’re thinking about downsizing as you approach retirement but still have all the artwork and toys and books that belonged to your now adult children, and don’t know what to do with them. Perhaps letting go of that old sports equipment means letting go of a vision you had of yourself that no longer fits who you are. Maybe you’re holding onto heirlooms you have no use for because you want to keep the memory of the person alive.

No matter what your situation is, it’s easier to declutter and downsize if you start by identifying the feelings that underlie your attachment to your stuff before tackling the stuff itself.

Click to read more.

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More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

Poll: Have you ever been bullied?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

People associate bullying with children in schools, but it can actually stretch beyond childhood to workplaces or neighbourhoods.

This Friday is Pink Shirt Day, which began in Canada in 2007 when two students took a stand against homophobic bullying after a new student was harassed for wearing pink. People across the globe are now encouraged to wear pink on this day to take a stand against bullying and promote inclusivity.

Have you or your whānau ever experienced bullying? Share your thoughts on Pink Shirt Day below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Have you ever been bullied?
  • 81.6% Yes
    81.6% Complete
  • 18% No
    18% Complete
  • 0.3% Other - I'll share below
    0.3% Complete
1147 votes
13 hours ago

What word is always spelled wrong?

Riddles from The Neighbourly Riddler

The riddle of the day is...What word is always spelled wrong?

*Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

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1 day ago

Government to Reintroduce Charter Schools

Murray from Paraparaumu

The reintroduction of charter schools in New Zealand seems little more than a sop to National’s right wing ideologues and will achieve little except the diversion of funds from the already financially stretched state schools.

There appears to be little, if any evidence that they especially benefit underperforming children, who indeed appear better off in a state system, provided adequate support is provided. Charter schools also foster conservatism, elitism, and in some instances religious fundamentalism, the cause of so much strife in the world.

It could be argued that of all children who might benefit from a broad state education and mixing with their community peers, it’s those from these conservative, elitist backgrounds.