Your kids probably don’t want this stuff.
I have a lot of stuff.
I love my stuff.
We spend our life gathering and collecting things that make our lives more enjoyable.
My wife and I are both bookaholics.
We’ve stacked every bookshelf in our house two deep with our reading treasures. If I hadn’t fallen in love with my Kindle, we’d probably have stacks of books on the floors to walk around.
And who can throw away those left over bit and pieces from projects long past? You know, little cutoff pieces of wood, that you just know you can use somewhere on a later project. What about all the assorted nails, screws and other hardware thrown in old jars and boxes? That stuff is too good to toss.
There are those old 35mm cameras that started gathering dust about 4 digital cameras ago. They might be collector’s items some day.
It’s hard to imagine not using them or having access to them when you need them. But honestly, when was the last time you needed them? How many of these things have gone unused and unnoticed for a while?
As we get older, we move past the accumulation stage of life and settle into living with what we have. Eventually, what we have may become more than we will ever need again. It might be time to declutter and downsize. The more you hold on to, the more your loved ones will have to deal with. That’s not a very smart move.
Aside from heirlooms and assets of value, our homes are generally filled with things that no longer serve us or we simply don’t need. At some point, it makes sense to clear things out and streamline.
Here are some practical dos and don’ts for decluttering your life to make things easier for your family.
Do- Keep things of value: Your antiques, art, and family heirlooms have value. Don’t discard or give away items that are worth something financially or emotionally.
Do- Sort through closets, drawers, and storage: These spaces tend to become black holes that contain unused and unimportant items. Tackle these spaces and reduce, recycle, and donate items you are no longer using.
Do- Enlist your family’s help: Ask your family to help you determine what is worth keeping and what is worth letting go of. You don’t have to accept every recommendation they have, but their impartial advice might help you decide easier.
Don’t- Wait until you die before you pass things down: If you have items you intend to pass along at your death, do it now! You get the enjoyment of spreading your happiness while you can still see it happen. You also get some things out of your house. You can always go visit your things in their new home.
Don’t- Overthink things: People hold onto things for a lot of weird reasons. Don’t overthink the usefulness of something you haven’t looked for in years. If you aren’t actively using an item, consider getting rid of it.
Don’t- Forget others need donations: Many of the things you aren’t using could benefit someone else. From a homeless shelter to helping a woman back on her feet, your unused items could help give someone else a brand new start. Be willing to donate gently used items to make a difference.
Don’t- Be afraid: Decluttering isn’t about losing your things. It’s about taking responsible action to streamline your life and be aware of how much you own and if it serves you. Don’t be afraid of letting go and clearing up space for easier living and a clutter-free home.
Part of prepping for the later part of life is clearing out the clutter. Making things easier for the people who will have to manage your space for you after you’re gone is kind and responsible. Do your part to declutter and get rid of the items that no longer have value or serve your needs.