Blog #decluttering

Although we had the time and were making progress, we found that taking advantage of a local decluttering/downsizing support group and hiring a professional organizer were game changers for us.

I review Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton (featured presenter on Hoarders and host of Legacy List). It offers helpful and specific advice for those clearing out a lifetime of memories while acknowledging the emotional challenges.

I summarize my attempts over the course of my life to learn various musical instruments and why I am now finding it hard to let go of the various remnants of my failed musical career.

Even the slow-downsizer hits general roadblocks in the downsizing process. In this post, I vent and try to figure out why I am feeling frustrated.

Janine and Matthew moved only a few miles away, but with a smaller space, they were forced to re-evaluate what was important to them from their many hobbies.

When you have a lot of one kind of object, whether it's papers, CDs, kitchen items, knick knacks, etc., culling provides an easier initial route to your eventual downsizing goals. I share my experience and principles.

If you are willing to do a bit of research, you might be able to find home for some of your collections of paper items--letters and cards, work souvenirs, magazines, etc.

With each of the many moves I've made over a lifetime, I've just kept adding to my possessions, leading me to this time when the process must finally reverse itself.

Schooling is often central to who we become. Here is tackle my huge school and college archives, deciding what to scan, toss, or give away.

With more time during this pandemic to focus on downsizing, I find it harder to let go of things. I share some hard-earned principles for making the task easier.

Reconnections, reactions, and learnings from my letter project, in which I read and returned to the writers letters sent to me over several decades.