What if instead, we all decluttered "with the end in mind". What if we went through the house, attic, garage, storage locker, spare rooms, and closets, and got rid of not only what we didn't want, but also things we knew our kids won't ever want either? We hold onto things that have been passed down but why? So often, you get to a generation that doesn't want or even like the item, they have no idea who that long-lost relative was, there's no connection. Too often, we try to maintain connections to people through material objects. We tend to think, "If we just keep that old thing that used to belong to so-and-so, we're keeping part of our heritage alive." But are we? What if instead, we keep them alive through stories, maybe a few photographs, a journal that tells who they really were and how they thought about things? If you're holding onto something that your own kids and grandkids don't want, let it go. If it's valuable, sell it. If it's only sentimental, donate it to a favorite cause or charity. Or give it away to someone you know would treasure it. But don't keep it just to keep it. Want to know a secret? The memories aren't really in the "thing". They're inside of you, in your mind, and in your heart.
I see Facebook posts from different antique companies. They ask questions to get comments out of people. They say how beautiful it is, it's an antique, and they ask if you'd want to keep it forever or get rid of it. If it serves no purpose and can't be passed on, then do you really need to keep it? Now if antiques are your thing and you love being surrounded by beautiful old-timey furniture and things, then that's fine. But don't make it someone else's job to sell it all off in a long weekend yard sale for a few dollars just to get rid of it. Enjoy it for a while - then move it to someone who can also treasure it for a while. What else will happen if you do that? You may be able to avoid getting caught up in your emotions of loving it and can avoid paying too much for it. Most people over-pay because of an on-the-spot, emotional decision - and within a few short years, they walk by the precious item without another thought. It just becomes another part of the background.
Maybe you could even ask your kids (this works best if they're already adults) what they DO want to keep when you're gone, you could put a sticker on the bottom of it with their name or something, then everyone is okay with letting go of the rest of it. It's so sad to see family members grieving the worst loss of their life and having to deal with an overwhelming amount of stuff, feeling guilty if they don't keep useless things that belonged to the person. They shouldn't have to deal with something like material stuff. Value people and use things, because the opposite never works.
As you declutter this week, this month, this year, whatever pace you're at...declutter with the end in mind.
