Tips - Reducing ‘Stuff’
Many of us have too much 'stuff' that we’ve accumulated over the years. It may have been deemed necessary to keep it ‘just in case’ a child had a school project it could be used for, we needed to do repairs, or it might come in handy at some stage. Once the children have left though, and downsizing or relocating moves onto the radar, that stuff suddenly becomes a burden we need to resolve.
Clear out!
Did you know that the tendency to hoard actually increases as you age? As we get older, we believe we should collect things as they will one day be of value, represent happier times, or become heirlooms for the kids to treasure. The sad reality though is our kids are unlikely to want much of what we retain, and prefer IKEA furniture to 18th century antiques.
Truth be told, most of us are bogged down by STUFF... stuff that our kids don't want and are dreading having to sort through once we pass. So, read on to learn how to detox your home and eradicate the excess bits and bobs that you no longer need.
Choose a room
I tend to start with the bathroom, as it is the least ‘sentimental’ area and has limited cupboard space. There’s also a sense of instant gratification that comes from having the countertop and cupboards organized and visually pleasing. Place 5 cartons in the center of the room and label them Trash, Charity, Friends, Sell, Keep. Do NOT create an ‘Undecided’ carton as that’s an opportunity to procrastinate.
Empty everything onto the floor
This forces you to look at each item and make a decision. As you sort through each item, you'll likely find:
Things you no longer use (put them in the charity, gift, or garage sale carton).
Things you don't like or haven't used in a while (charity or trash carton).
Broken stuff (trash or recycling).
Paper, packaging, and notes (trash).
Old medicines (check the date and trash them or ask your pharmacy to so).
Old Magazines or gift cards (give them to the local kindergarten for kids to cut up).
Things once owned by those you love(d) (charity)
Books (school or community library or charity).
Clothes, shoes, and accessories that don't fit or never wear (charity or gift box.
Doing a clean out helps improve:
Mental clarity
Cleanliness & order
Space availability & access
Sense of calm & wellbeing
Stuck reminiscing? Ask yourself:
Why am I saving that?
Is it relevant to me today?
How will I feel if I release it?
Does this item evoke sad memories?
Is it likely I will ever finish this project that I started ages ago?
As you detox the home, watch what changes in you. Practice detachment with material things that just fill your space, and you'll see how a sense of freedom soon replaces the burden of 'things'.
Conversations with Hoarders & Minimalists
Christina
We've been doing a Swedish Death Clean over the last few years here. I've been an adventurer most of my life and tend to travel light through the world, so it's mostly my husband's stuff. It's sobering to face the end of one's Iife, but also kind of freeing. I have 2 small boxes of photos and 1 of other mementos, a few pieces of furniture and a few nick knacks from my travels I would probably keep somewhere when I no longer have a home base.
Worth Reading
Help! It's Time To Move: A practical guide for anyone selling a house they have lived in for many years
By: Janice Styles-Hall (2023)
Selling a house you have been in for many years is stressful!
Feeling overwhelmed about what to do with all the things you have accumulated over the years? Uncertain about navigating the complexities of today's real estate market?
Don't let this keep you from your goal of moving on and enjoying your next phase. It doesn't have to be that complicated if you have a process to follow and know what to expect.
This comprehensive guide is packed with practical tips. You will find valuable advice to fit your individual time, budget, and physical constraints.
The section on getting rid of things is useful by itself even if you aren't planning to sell soon.
We all have too much stuff!
Let It Go: Downsizing Your Way to a Richer, Happier Life
By: Peter Walsh (2019)
Whether you are selling your family home, blending households into a new home, or cleaning out your aging parents’ home, sorting through a lifetime’s worth of accumulated possessions can be a daunting and stressful experience.
In Let It Go, downsizing is approached as a rejuvenating life change with his useful tips and practical takeaways, including how to:
• Understand the emotional challenges that accompany downsizing
• Establish a hierarchy of mementos and collectibles
• Calculate the amount of stuff that can be taken into a new home
• Strategies for dividing heirlooms amongst family members without drama.
Thoreau's Downsizing Planner for Seniors (Thoreau's Downsizing Planners)
By: Philip Baker (2017)
If you are a caregiver or adult child helping your parent downsize, then this planner will help you to be supportive, assist with wise choices, and have an efficient plan.
It has been designed to help seniors, empty nesters, children of seniors, and caregivers make the move easier through checklists, helpful tips, organization and planning.
It’s a big 8-1/2 x 11 inches book with 220 pages, which features LARGE PRINT worksheets and easy fill forms designed for each step of what is often an emotional transition.
After the move, the planner provides an easy-to-reference index of records that will be useful for generations to come.
