things that help

well, i'm 12 days in, and the only things i've bought (outside of necessities) are a bunch of flowers and some biodegradable soap at a health food store in kensington. so far, it hasn't been too too hard, though i find i have to actively engage in certain behaviours to keep from getting the shopping itch.

helpful: hearing about other people who have taken on this challenge. i find i'm reading a lot of blogs by people who have either made it through a year, or are in the midst of trying. and i'm planning to check out this documentary, "no impact man." in the next few days: http://www.noimpactdoc.com/index_m.php ...also, regularly logging in to the OSAP website and looking at my current balance has proven quite sobering. oh, and i opted to learn a new skill this year - irish fiddle! - which gives me something experience-based, rather than material-based, to focus on (don't worry, i'm borrowing the fiddle, i didn't buy one).

NOT helpful: just as i wouldn't move to a small pacific island inhabited entirely by gorgeous australian men whilst in a relationship, i've been trying to avoid most of queen street west, bloor street west, any and all bookstores and stationery stores, warmly lit store windows in general, and the urban outfitters website.

sometime around boxing day (before this challenge began), i developed a serious crush on these boots i saw at get outside. ah, the ones who got away...