Without Values, What's Left?

The New Year brings a ridiculously natural amount of discussion regarding change. 
"This year I'm finally going to lose that 15 pounds I've had on since freshmen year of college 7 years ago.." 
"This year I'm finally going to get a new fabulous j-o-b where I get to wear hot little work numbers and come home with free swag."
"This year I'm finally going to put myself out there [without putting out to soon] and meet the man of my wholesome dreams!"

I'm pretty sure the top resolutions deal with weight loss, career change, and relationships..so we are going to assume that i'm correctomundo.  It seems logical.

I wonder how many people actually have the stick-to-it-ness to make those changes happen?  I'm sure the odds aren't on the side of the masses..or there would probably be a new name for resolutions like umm yea umm "all in a day's work plans"..[give me a break, it's hard to be witty on a moment't notice, not to slow down the momentum].

I would have to argue that in order to actually make your "dreams" come true, it requires a certain amount of sacrifice- and since I am quite sure that 2011 is my year of successfull dream acquisition - my first sacrifical decree is the giving up of shopping for a period of approximately 5 months.  Yes, shopping ::hold for gasps::  I happen to love shopping with a passion that I hold only for obsessions and addictive behavior.  See my love of shopping stems from a childhood of being un-coordinated and I would consider it a coping mechanism.  Even now after many successful year of dressing myself in outfits that most definitely match, I still consider fashion to be somewhat of an Achilles' heal for me - a constant point of contension for my inner-self.

I hope to accomplish two things with this particular decision:
1)  A boost of my self-confidence:  Repeat to self "You don't need new clothes to look good, you have more than enough - look at your closet, it now wraps halfway around the room!"
2)  A boost in my savings account:  Let's face it, we're in a recession and my shopping addiction adds up..   

Plus, imagine the time I can save.  It's like a free bonus! 

Of course, there are rules --
1) Shopping for other people (i.e. birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) completely acceptable [best done online to avoid actual contact with the other merchandise - sites that offer free shipping preferable]
2) Shopping for food and other household necessities (i.e. hygenic) ALWAYS allowed [a sacrifice should never result in odor ::crosses fingers::]
3) This shopping hiatus will run from January 10, 2011 - May 4, 2011 [roughly the length of my Spring semester..although finals are the next week, so don't expect a mad rush to the mall..]
4) One "pass" a month [one item..I imagine a corkboard of all the choices being compiled in the corner of my room]
5) If someone else buys it without my knowledge and/or money..doesn't count [kind of like a "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" scenario]

I predict a severe increase in contest/giveaway/sweepstakes entries over the next 5 months.  Feel free to leave a comment re: best ones to enter! 

However, for the next week..let's just say it's a good thing I paid off all my credit cards. 

Good Tidings!