Simplifying in 2010

I am itching (not literally, thank goodness!) to get on a simplification kick. I posted during 2009 about some of my efforts to scale down junk, spend less money, and relax more. I'm afraid, looking back, that I was still just a little too focused on acquiring cute, non-exploitative stuff, rather than working towards actual lifestyle changes of having less and doing more. We've been through a lot this year as a new family, and I have some new priorities. I feel a little more sure about my ability to make changes, and feel the burn of the hectic day-to-day stuff, so I think it's a nice time to make gentle steps toward lightening the load.

I usually get really overwhelmed with cleaning out things and weeding out goofy habits, but I am trying to approach it as fun. I got on quite a shopping bender this year, and who wouldn't when you have spare money and your body suddenly fits into the cute girl stuff? The result is a lot of debit card swipes and way too many pieces of clothing for me ever to keep track of. So...Ebay! It's like a game. I'm having fun, and when I start to feel stressed, I step away from the closet and take a break for a day, a week, whatever.

I really like reading Walk Slowly, Live Wildly for ideas on simplifying. I'll post more here as I work on easing in 2010 with a new attitude towards stuff....