What Are You Doing New Year's Eve?

I have no big new year's resolutions. My goal for 2014 -- after a few hectic years in the rapids -- was to rest in the eddy of my new job and new life in Seattle. It was a good course, and I plan to stay the course in 2015 -- though I have a few new projects (like this blog) in mind. Life is good. Enjoy the waning hours of 2014, friends, and I'll see you in the new year.

Less stuff, less stress, more joy

Eight years ago, I made a New Year's resolution to drive less and ride the bus as often as I could. This was a big deal, since I lived in Boise, Idaho, at the time. I wrote a blog about my efforts. Later, when I moved to California and gave up my car, I wrote another.

I've lived in Seattle for the past year, and I'll soon mark my third anniversary of not owning a car. It's a lot easier here than it was in Idaho: I live within easy walking distance of many amenities, I have five bus stops within a block of my apartment; and I belong to two car-sharing services. Even better, I am lucky enough to telecommute to a full-time job that allows me a lot of flexibility on how and when and where I do my work. I am thankful every day that I don't have to commute on Seattle's congested roadways.

But Surely Joy isn't a blog about transportation. It's a blog about choices. How can we live a life of less stuff, less stress, and more joy? I've named it for this quote from Henry David Thoreau: "Surely joy is the condition of life."

Surely Joy is about how to live large with a small footprint. I've been on this path a while now, and I'd like to share a bit of what I've learned.

If you're practicing a more simple, creative lifestyle, I hope you'll share what works for you, too. And whether you are new to this journey or not, please follow Surely Joy so we can walk this way together.

Happy new year! Thanks for reading!

My actual fridge, with bumper-sticker wisdom from the actual Walden Pond gift shop.