Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Chatting on the Plot => Topic started by: New shoot on December 31, 2017, 09:34

Title: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: New shoot on December 31, 2017, 09:34
I'm not one for sticking resolutions - they last about 5 minutes usually  ::)  However, this year I'm going at it from a different angle.

I'm not going to try and please everyone all the time.  Work and family included can learn that I am not 'on call' 24/7

I'm not going to worry if my sowing & planting plans go haywire.  Last year they did, so I simplified a lot and just went with the flow and it was fine.  OK I didn't grow everything we needed, but I had lot of crops we eat all the time and we have stores to last through winter. 

On the same note, I'm not pulling anything up on the first sight of it going wrong.  If I don't need the ground, it can stay and see how it does.  I ended up with some real bonus crops last year from stuff that just romped away after a spell of looking wispy and pathetic.

Non-resolutions - its the way to go  ;)  :D

Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: sunshineband on December 31, 2017, 09:51
I agree that it is all too easy to "make a resolution" and then feel a dwindling interest in maintaining it as the weeks go by

I prefer to look upon them as "aims", which would help me to enjoy life even more by educing stress, and so I aim to:

- be more organised about the greenhouse growing space during the Summer, rather then let the grape vine go wild and reduce light levels so anything else has insufficient light to thrive. If I don't do thins I get a growing sense of doom, and go in there even less

- to delete unwanted or read emails once a day when I can, so I don't end up scrolling through hundreds, wondering what I might have missed/not dealt with.

Not rocket science, but if I can do these things it will reduce brain-buzz a bit

Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Aidy on December 31, 2017, 10:36


I'm not going to try and please everyone all the time.
Abe once said "you can please some of the people some of the time but not all the people all of the time" something I live by.
Good luck with the new year.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: rowlandwells on December 31, 2017, 10:55
I like that one Aidy realy brought a smile to my face as for new years resolutions well to grow something to put in the local horty show that it actually win a prise  :D

to spend more time down the allotment with a relaxing chair a nice cup of tea then go home and tell my O/H that I've worked so hard on the allotment that  I'm to tired to do the washing up tonight  :D

and the last resolution will be to make the flower garden more interesting for the people who visit on the NGS open day helping us to raise plenty of money for charity for those less fortunate than us

 and I'm looking forward to reading many more interesting topics on this site from you all in 2018 do have a very happy new year and good luck for 2018 ;)
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Growster... on December 31, 2017, 11:11
I'm going to make more effort this year as the 'New Wilderness' post suggests...

It's mainly because Mrs Growster has kindly let me have all the bits of kit I ever wanted, and it's a shame just to let it all go, and really a necessity at my tender years to keep in gear, and don't let up!

I will put up the shelves in the cloakroom, which I promised two years ago, in fact I have already started, but it's too cold out in the shed to make much more than about nothing...
I will change the petrol in the various machines as instructed, and not hope they'll clear themselves!
I won't grow too many spuds this year - I always buy too many, and for a couple of quid, I'd rather grow more fruit or beans on the ground left spare.

(That's enough resolutions - Ed)
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Goosegirl on December 31, 2017, 14:24
Um, that's a hard one! Which would I prefer?
1) Using a ruler to measure the precise depth and spacings when sowing seeds or planting plant OR using past experience to use your hands and fingers as a guide and just bung 'em in! It works just as well!
2) Getting yourself totally confused when looking at all the advice for how to grow whatever in what sort of soil and site OR (unless you're growing rice) just try it and, if it don't work, dig it up and put it in another spot!
3) Let your OH tell you what you should have done OR tell him you already did it and it didn't work!
A happy 2018 to you all!
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: jaydig on December 31, 2017, 16:10
I am going to learn to say "No', in the nicest possible way.  I have always changed my plans to fit around what other people want or need me to do, but I think now I'm approaching 70 I need to put myself first now and again.  Oh, goodness, I feel selfish for even writing that! 
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Christine on December 31, 2017, 19:18
Other than a bit more weeding, 2018 will be like 2017 .... which was like 2016, 2015 and there backwards ....
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Growster... on December 31, 2017, 21:32
I am going to learn to say "No', in the nicest possible way.  I have always changed my plans to fit around what other people want or need me to do, but I think now I'm approaching 70 I need to put myself first now and again.  Oh, goodness, I feel selfish for even writing that!

Jay - it happens!

It happens more and more nowadays, and just lay back and enjoy it, because there isn't really much of an alternative, so why not?

You're not selfish! You're Jaydig! One we love!

How many other Jaydigs do I/we know?

None! x.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: jaydig on January 01, 2018, 10:11
Aww - thanks Growster.  I don't feel so bad now. x
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: wighty on January 01, 2018, 10:57
Along with most of you I have also decided that this year is going to be about me and what I want to do hence handing in my notice (two weeks left to work) and then I'm going to do what I want, when I want to and how I want to.  I'm fed up of my phone ringing at all times of the day and night with other peoples problems.  I'm going to let them get on with it and enjoy  myself.  Selfish, nah, just had enough.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: snowdrops on January 01, 2018, 14:43
Along with most of you I have also decided that this year is going to be about me and what I want to do hence handing in my notice (two weeks left to work) and then I'm going to do what I want, when I want to and how I want to.  I'm fed up of my phone ringing at all times of the day and night with other peoples problems.  I'm going to let them get on with it and enjoy  myself.  Selfish, nah, just had enough.

Well done you, I hope you’ll be very happy. I took early retirement & have spent the last year relaxing into it, a bit too well at times lol just be careful family & friends don’t ask too much of you!
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: jaydig on January 01, 2018, 16:38
Congratulations Wighty, it's a decision I'm sure you'll never regret.
All too often people spend too much of their lives chasing pound notes, and while I appreciate that we all need to know we have enough behind us to live on, it's surprising how little is really needed  to be able to live a nice, if simpler, life.  Life is, after all, for living, something that a lot of people forget, then suddenly realise that the clock can't be turned back, and they have missed out on so much.
Enjoy your freedom  - you've earned it!
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: wighty on January 01, 2018, 17:57
Thirteen weeks notice is a long time to have to work! I am a manager of an Adult Social Care service.  I've had enough and the constraints from the Council and Government have done me in.  Thank you for all your support. I'll probably get bored but will look for a 'little' job in one of the cafes on the seafront that's only open for the summer.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Growster... on January 02, 2018, 07:09
Believe me, Wighty, you just won't ever get bored!

I just have far too much to do now, and have vowed to keep away from all the towns where I used to work, London being the worst one, but even yesterday, I went to get something from T. Wells, and I was out of my tree...

My village has so much to offer, and to give to, and that's the big plan from now on.

As Jay says, chasing pound notes is a mugs game at this time of life.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Yorkie on January 02, 2018, 20:44
Congratulations Wighty!
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Growster... on January 22, 2018, 07:14
Well, I've put up the shelf I promised Mrs Growster back in 1997, and also just bought just twenty spuds for growing bags! I'm not growing too many on The Patch, as they don't get used up quick enough!

So that's two out of the three resolutions dealt with...

The mower/Mantis petrol situation is slightly more difficult, as I can't get them out of the shed at the moment...

Phew, at this rate...
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: JayG on January 22, 2018, 11:00
Decided to spare myself the annual reminder that I have no will-power by resolving not to make any New Year's Resolutions this year.

So far it's going well!  :lol:
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: al78 on January 24, 2018, 10:13
I am going to learn to say "No', in the nicest possible way.  I have always changed my plans to fit around what other people want or need me to do, but I think now I'm approaching 70 I need to put myself first now and again.  Oh, goodness, I feel selfish for even writing that!

It might sound selfish, but it is good selfish, not bad selfish. You do need to look after yourself first, and only then you have the ability to help others. After all, if you go down you are no help to anyone. Being a people pleaser is not a great way to live, you are vulnerable to people taking advantage of your altruism and you can end up feeling depressed and resentful after continuous give give give with nothing coming back to show for it.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: Eblana on January 24, 2018, 11:11
I am going to learn to say "No', in the nicest possible way.  I have always changed my plans to fit around what other people want or need me to do, but I think now I'm approaching 70 I need to put myself first now and again.  Oh, goodness, I feel selfish for even writing that!

It might sound selfish, but it is good selfish, not bad selfish. You do need to look after yourself first, and only then you have the ability to help others. After all, if you go down you are no help to anyone. Being a people pleaser is not a great way to live, you are vulnerable to people taking advantage of your altruism and you can end up feeling depressed and resentful after continuous give give give with nothing coming back to show for it.

I agree, it is not easy to do though if you are giving by nature.  I decided the same last autumn after spending two summers helping people out only to be dropped by both of them for the winter and not even hear from them until the spring arrived.  My plot only kept going because I was getting up early to sow seeds etc and OH was doing most of the work on the plot.  One of them that I haven't even heard from since last August (not even as much as a thank you card or a Christmas card) rang yesterday to know was I going to help them this summer.  He got a firm but polite no but even at that I found myself making excuses to him but I stuck with no.
Title: Re: New Year non-resolutions
Post by: al78 on January 25, 2018, 15:43
I am going to learn to say "No', in the nicest possible way.  I have always changed my plans to fit around what other people want or need me to do, but I think now I'm approaching 70 I need to put myself first now and again.  Oh, goodness, I feel selfish for even writing that!

It might sound selfish, but it is good selfish, not bad selfish. You do need to look after yourself first, and only then you have the ability to help others. After all, if you go down you are no help to anyone. Being a people pleaser is not a great way to live, you are vulnerable to people taking advantage of your altruism and you can end up feeling depressed and resentful after continuous give give give with nothing coming back to show for it.

I agree, it is not easy to do though if you are giving by nature.  I decided the same last autumn after spending two summers helping people out only to be dropped by both of them for the winter and not even hear from them until the spring arrived.  My plot only kept going because I was getting up early to sow seeds etc and OH was doing most of the work on the plot.  One of them that I haven't even heard from since last August (not even as much as a thank you card or a Christmas card) rang yesterday to know was I going to help them this summer.  He got a firm but polite no but even at that I found myself making excuses to him but I stuck with no.

As someone who naturally likes to help people I agree it is not easy to do, and it is only in recent years I am saying a polite "no" more often. It helps that often I can come up with the reasoning that I am already doing A+B+C+D+E, and there are over 300 other members in this bridge club, most unlike me who are retired, it might be a good idea to spread the load rather than trying to dump 90% of the work on 5% of the membership.