Minimizing not Marginalizing

I've decided I hate stuff. I know how George Carlin felt as I try little by little to purge the stuff from my home.  Because unfortunately in recent years my home hasn't felt that way.  It has felt like a storage shed, one in which I just move the stuff amongst the shelving units and floor space. I have gotten on the frugality and simplicity bandwagon, at least philosophically, if not quite there physically. I am starting action, and vow I will not get despondent at slow progress.  

For when I close my eyes, I can see cozy uncluttered rooms on the horizon.  I see an organized kitchen with the just the pots, pans, appliance, and utensils I use. I see a closet with clothes that I truly love and feel comfortable and confident in, even if I rotate relatively few items. I see a retirement at least 1/2 a decade earlier than my peers, not because I struck it rich, but because I was planful and intentional with where my money went. I see a calendar only with experiences and with people that bring me joy, including volunteering to organizations that forward causes and actions I believe in. I don't see my kind of frugality as doing more with less, but doing more because of less. It's a nice vision. 

I've made my Must List this week, and so far so good in implementation, though it has only been a couple days. A few successes include:

• Cooking and planning meals ahead for the week, including extra's to pack for lunch with the vegetable servings
• Two small bags of clothing items that never fit me well, so I rarely wore them, bagged to be dropped off
• Formalized outline on book, plus short list of blog topics
• Scheduled walking date with friend V and friend L on two different nights, so double tick
• Cleaned both bathrooms to the grout
• Resisted binge watch of Grace and Frankie on Netflix even though I really wanted to

Check out any YouTube video for a taste of Mr. Carlin's take on "stuff." Warning, some versions, this one included, are a little saltier than others, and apologies in advance. For those that don't appreciate the "sh" word, cover your ears.  I find it a very appropriate replacement to the word "stuff.".