A while back I wrote about how I was embarking on a journey of simplification. I've made numerous trips to my local charity drop-off and I'm still over-flowing with stuff. I'm not discouraged but I am freaked a little. Starting tomorrow I will go through one drawer per day. Just one. Instead of going through everything in the drawer I will look and pick 5 items I cannot live without. (5 because I've noticed there are drawers I NEVER open.) The rest of the contents are for: GIVE, RECYCLE, GARBAGE.

So far I've made the following changes:

Instead of buying books, I borrow from the library. If I've borrowed a book more than twice, and I really cannot live without it, I purchase a copy. This is working very well for me so far.

If I buy a new item, I go through all the similar items I own and if I haven't used them or think I never will I pack them up and give them away. Ie: shoes, handbags, etc.

I have chronic dry skin and eczema. I used to buy every single lotion/cream on the market hoping it would be "the one" that doesn't sting or cause flare-ups. For the most part, most of the lotions I purchased, did. I used to just toss them in a cupboard and forget about them. The search is over. I currently have a core group of products that always work for me and I will stick to these. I've packed up all my incompatible products and given them away!

Shoes uncomfortable? Gone.
Clothing that doesn't fit right? Gone
Accessories I have and will never use? Gone.

I work full-time and have a young family so many of the above changes are done in small bites. I am beginning to feel the difference though and it is liberating!

I've been asked this question no less than three-dozen times in the past week. Granted, I do work in an environment where I see at least 150 people/day, lol. My reply is and has always been: "I'm ALWAYS ready for Christmas!"

This is long before the tree and lights go up, a present is purchased or a cookie is baked. I have recently replied: "I am ready for Christmas in August!" I love Christmas. Christmas is truly a celebration of family (whatever your family consists of), life and love like no other. Despite my significant pagan leanings I am an old-school pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic* at my core. Christians accuse me of being pagan, pagans have dismissed me for being christian. Frankly, I don't care.

It's the Yule -tide season and Advent is in full-swing. Time to bring on the baking, halls-decking, and merry-making because longer days, Jesus, St. Nick, and La Befana are coming!