Fifteen years ago I moved to Germany, and all of my "stuff" fit onto one pallet, that is to say, 3'x3'x3'.  Life was simple and I only carried with my the necessities; my photos, books and a few special things.  Somehow, I lost my way and have collected what seems to be 15 pallets of "stuff".  Do I need 15? No!  Do I need just one, well, probably not, but I am guessing that the number is a lot closer to the lower end of the spectrum.  (I'm thinking the 80/20 rule is probably dead on here) This stuff actually stresses me out, both consciously and unconsciously.  We live on 2.5 acres with a home and a guest house, not a conducive atmosphere for keeping things simple and minimized.  But times, they are a chanin'.  In an effort to simplify our lives, we are moving back to the city (Coral Gables) so we can drive less and enjoy more.  This will mean a significantly smaller slice of geography and I welcome the motivation to downsize.

Back to the basics.  If I wear it keep it, if not, find it a new body.  If I use it keep it, if not, find it a new user.  If it brings me joy or peace, keep it, if not, find someone it does. Pare down, clear out, clean up.  When we move, I want to know what is in those boxes are the gems of life, nothing less.  That each one means something and will be used, cherished or enjoyed.

Our homes are an outward refelction of our internal selves, and too much clutter has led to a clutterd self.  I need to free that up and refreh, regain the balance and lightness of having less, but special.

This is going to take some work and it is daunting.  I have the boxes, I have the bags, but getting off my feet and starting has eluded me.  So I decided to write this blog as a testament to my intent to clean out this home and life, one box at a time until I am down to the right stuff, the good stuff, and then it won't be stuff, it will be our lives.