Of course, there’s no way I can do this extreme version, so I’m trying to figure out how far I can go, without throwing off my husband and kids too much. Also, it will take time to phase out all my clothes, CDs, and other stuff, so I’ll take it one step at a time. I started making a list of the things I can do, and that includes:

• Stop watching movies. Watch only the current TV shows dh Sean and I are watching together right now, and watch only when he requests it. I did clean up my Netflix list. There are a few movies I do still want to watch, so I kept them on, but I’ll try to keep them few and far between.
• Cull through all my books, esp. the ones piled up waiting for me to read. Keep only the best-quality and educational books. I went through my huge pile yesterday, and now have three stacks of books to sell on Ebay!
• Greatly reduce my wardrobe. I’ve started on this today. I’m going to just put my clothes in the trunk for now, to see if I can do it. I’ve made a list of what my total wardrobe should be. I’m going to work toward this list. It involves buying or making some salwar kameezes:
•             1 Frida-style outfit (black skirt, petticoat, flowered t-shirt, burgundy poncho)
•             1 trendy outfit (orange crochet bolero, Hawaiian tunic-top, navy yoga pants, orange tie-dye skirt)
•             1 sleeveless salwar kameez
•             1 long-sleeve salwar kameez
•             1 of my homesewn outfits (green flowered tunic)
•             1 medieval dress (keep only minimal costumes, for homeschooling)
•             1 gardening/work outfit (khakis, orange tank top, navy zipneck long-sleeve top)
•             1 dress outfit (black dress, oriental red jacket, heels)
•             3 winter sweaters (homemade one, lavender one, plaid one)
•             2 winter coats (Victorian overcoat, short black coat)
•             1 rain jacket
•             1 sweater-coat (long multi-colored one)
•             1 pair hiking boots
•             1 pair moccasins
•             1 pair snow boots
•             1 swimsuit (swimdress)
•             1 tombraider outfit (black shorts, black tank, etc.)
•             underwear for one week
•             3 pairs socks
•             1 winter scarf, hat & gloves

             I know it sounds silly to have a simplified wardrobe, and then include a Tombraider outfit. I was trying to figure out how my two newest ideas could mesh together. But because I have so many facets to my personality, it’s almost like I’m schizophrenic. So for my ascetic lifestyle, I would “turn on” that part of my personality, and when I’m coaching and doing my Tombraider club, I’d “turn on” that part of my personality. Maybe that’s the only way I’m going to make it in this life, is to segment the various parts of me which take turns wanting expression.

            If I actually do this, it will take time. I realized today that it would be sad to just get rid of the armoire, which was a wedding gift to us. So I was thinking that Sean and I will probably realize our dream of building a cabin in the mountains. And when we have that cabin, we will need some of this furniture to furnish it. So, ideally, as I slowly simplify, we will eventually get rid of the extra furniture by putting it into our cabin, when we have it. Of course, some of it we would just sell.

            Also, last evening while speaking to my old friend Pam Fitch-Berry, I found out about a group of people who have formed a Compact. When you join, you agree to go a whole year without buying anything new (barring toiletries, food, underwear, etc.). That would be a very challenging and fulfilling first step!