I feel strongly about this and have written about it before. I cleaned out my parent’s house when they needed to move and I have helped clients who have inherited property figure out what to do with their deceased loved one’s stuff.
Let’s face it we all have a lot of stuff, too much stuff. If we have adult children they probably don’t want our stuff and some even worry that they will have to deal with it.
In the last few years, I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff because I feel responsible for my own stuff and I don’t want my family to have to deal with it. I started with items being stored in my basement and worked my way up.
It isn’t enough to just get rid of stuff. I have been very careful about what I buy because I want less not more. Having less seems like a constant battle.
For me throwing usable household items and clothing away seems wrong. I have been getting rid of excess stuff by donating it, selling it or giving it to friends and family. I have been able to recycle a few things and I “upcycled” furniture so that it can be re-used.
I have gained a lot of space in my basement, closet, and kitchen cabinets. I have an empty closet and several empty drawers.
Having too much stuff can be an obstacle for those who want to downsize. I always recommend starting the process a year before a move if possible. People tend to make better decisions if they have some time to plan.
A friend of mine who lived in the same house for 30 years took three years to downsize before getting the house ready to sell. I have lived in the same house for 29.5 years. 🙂
If you haven’t heard of Sweedish death cleaning, do a google search. There are several books and articles on the subject.
