I’m 61 and in September, found out that my parents had been scammed, lost their savings, and we needed to quickly sell their house to secure the remaining value to pay off debt and ensure they had money for their remaining needs. My mother has dementia and other serious health issues. We’ve been trying for years to let us help them clean out the garage and basement, but hard no. Now it was a true crisis situation and the clean out of their house of 50 years had to happen in one month. It was horrible for them and us. As the oldest daughter, I had to be the “bad guy” and make it happen. The mental, emotional and physical toll is something I will never want to happen to my kids. I’ve started a massive decluttering process and we’re looking for a smaller house so we can downsize now. It’s just stuff. If there are things I still like using, like china plates, I’m keeping it as long as I use but have already put a note in the container to donate guilt free if I pass. No one should be burdened by my crap when I’m gone.
I’m 68 and I know I will have to downsize sometime in the future. I don’t want to wait until the last minute. I do not want to pay to move things I’m not even using. So, I started listing items on Facebook Marketplace a year ago and so far I’ve made almost $1,000 dollars selling items I don’t want and don’t need. It’s not difficult and it feels good to make a sale! I highly recommend trying to sell your stuff when you aren’t in a rush. You can always donate it if there are no buyers but try to make some money first.
I got rid of all my furniture when I moved in with my daughter battling cancer. I regret it so much. But the thing that is hardest is the sheer physical work. My mobility is not good. I still have hundreds of books to load up and let go. No one wants old books anymore. I will miss each one. PTSD is really triggered by this hard job, I have found.
You may be able to sell some of your books on half price books. I’m sure there are other sites as well. In Minnetonka, Minnesota we have book drive every fall to raise money for the Senior Citizens programs. Maybe you have something in your area like that. Children’s books are in demand. It’s always easier to let go of things if the recipient is happy to receive. Good luck!
We started getting rid of our stuff about 4 years ago. We moved to a smaller place n got rid of more. It’s our stuff, our special stuff not my sons. My attitude is, if we don’t use it in a year (seasonal stuff), we get rid of it. We love it! Happy that my son doesn’t have to deal w our stuff when we r gone. We had to do that for my parents. Extremely difficult and only kept a few things that we treasure.
I’m 61 and working on getting rid of things that belonged to a younger me. Tastes change over the years and I feel my stuff is my responsibility to manage, not to dump on someone else later. I’d rather do this now while I’m still young and don’t find it exhausting. I’ll be left with a home that’s easier to manage and reflects who I am now, not who I was 20 years ago.
I feel angry and SAD when I am told to get rid of all the shit that I have. You heard that right, it is all called shit. I was told they would take what they want and set the rest out by the curb. I like to look at my grandmother's items while I drink my coffee each morning. So, sad spoiled kids might have to spend time going through all that trash to get what they want. It makes the old person think they are taking too long to die. Does anyone else think this way?
No I don't feel this way because I had to go through all my Mother's things and it was hard, I do not want to make my kids go through that so I am decluttering now. You can still keep some special things, they will stay special because you had them out, you loved them and displayed them and told stories about them. I have kept about 5-6 special vases and decor that's it. I felt sad but once I donated all the stuff and drove off it wasn't mine anymore. It felt SO good.
@@katethegardener Although I agree with you in principle, I think Mary's children are extraordinarily rude and unfeeling to call her stuff 'shit' and be so dismissive of her feelings. There are kind and loving ways to make the same point. No wonder she's unhappy.
@@marijo1951I Agee,too.there are kinder ways to do this,and one day,I hope that they realize how cruel and unnecessary their behavior was. What comes around….
Turn the tables on them and give away the things they would cherish most. You can't take it with you, after all. If the children have this attitude, leave them the mess to clean up.
I took pics of special dog food bags I had bought for my three dear much loved oldies of 16, 24 and 25 years of age pups Chloe, Michaelah and Amber that my dear friends Dana and Candy and her family had put into my care after Dana passed suddenly and his family put her into my care and Candy and her husband had developed some medical issues. Chloe passed that year in 2020 several months after her Dad she is now with and Candy passed a few years ago and then her two sweeties last year and the year before are now with their Mom. As their Auntie-Momma, I look.firward to Jesus Returning and Bringing Resurrection so I can be with them all again along with my other much loved ones!!! I actually had held onto those empty bags for a while!
I was just thinking I should have a talk with my daughter now and see what we can decide on now for what is a keeper and what is a throwaway. Then I will know exactly what she will want and then we can give away the rest,
BULLSHIT!!! Stop terrorizing seniors!!! I am 70-years-old. Last month de-cluttered my entire house and garage. I did it when I was ready and the process was empowering. Ridding my life of what no longer fits with the person I am today was the best thing to do for my overall well-being!!!!!
Don’t start with the emotional stuff. Try removing a stack of newspapers or magazines that aren’t triggering memories. Donate a few shoes or coats. Throw out expired groceries. Maybe this can help start the process.
What I lot of Garbage !! Are we in kindergarten yes I clean out what is OLD and no longer use Are you assuming we are all holders? 🙄 we are older and wiser or should be !! 😵💫
If this doesn't help you then move on, no need to be hateful. This video is helping a lot of people myself included. Be kind we are all struggling with something.
I’m 61 and in September, found out that my parents had been scammed, lost their savings, and we needed to quickly sell their house to secure the remaining value to pay off debt and ensure they had money for their remaining needs. My mother has dementia and other serious health issues. We’ve been trying for years to let us help them clean out the garage and basement, but hard no. Now it was a true crisis situation and the clean out of their house of 50 years had to happen in one month. It was horrible for them and us. As the oldest daughter, I had to be the “bad guy” and make it happen. The mental, emotional and physical toll is something I will never want to happen to my kids. I’ve started a massive decluttering process and we’re looking for a smaller house so we can downsize now. It’s just stuff. If there are things I still like using, like china plates, I’m keeping it as long as I use but have already put a note in the container to donate guilt free if I pass. No one should be burdened by my crap when I’m gone.
Loved how you tackled the hidden hurdles of decluttering in a practical, encouraging way
Thanks for watching!
👏 Hands down one of the best videos on this subject. Loving the effort you put into it. (9:40)
Thank you for these wise and caring methods to declutter.
I'm so glad you found them helpful!
I’m 68 and I know I will have to downsize sometime in the future. I don’t want to wait until the last minute. I do not want to pay to move things I’m not even using. So, I started listing items on Facebook Marketplace a year ago and so far I’ve made almost $1,000 dollars selling items I don’t want and don’t need. It’s not difficult and it feels good to make a sale! I highly recommend trying to sell your stuff when you aren’t in a rush. You can always donate it if there are no buyers but try to make some money first.
its just stuff...nothing stays the same....always remember...change is the only constant !!! ITS JUST STUFF...live in the moment
Taking a photo is a excellent idea.
It's a great way to preserve memories.
I got rid of all my furniture when I moved in with my daughter battling cancer. I regret it so much. But the thing that is hardest is the sheer physical work. My mobility is not good. I still have hundreds of books to load up and let go. No one wants old books anymore. I will miss each one. PTSD is really triggered by this hard job, I have found.
You may be able to sell some of your books on half price books. I’m sure there are other sites as well. In Minnetonka, Minnesota we have book drive every fall to raise money for the Senior Citizens programs. Maybe you have something in your area like that. Children’s books are in demand. It’s always easier to let go of things if the recipient is happy to receive. Good luck!
We started getting rid of our stuff about 4 years ago. We moved to a smaller place n got rid of more. It’s our stuff, our special stuff not my sons. My attitude is, if we don’t use it in a year (seasonal stuff), we get rid of it. We love it! Happy that my son doesn’t have to deal w our stuff when we r gone. We had to do that for my parents. Extremely difficult and only kept a few things that we treasure.
It's YOUR STUFF not THEIR STUFF SO STUFF AWAY!
I’m 61 and working on getting rid of things that belonged to a younger me.
Tastes change over the years and I feel my stuff is my responsibility to manage, not to dump on someone else later. I’d rather do this now while I’m still young and don’t find it exhausting.
I’ll be left with a home that’s easier to manage and reflects who I am now, not who I was 20 years ago.
I feel angry and SAD when I am told to get rid of all the shit that I have. You heard that right, it is all called shit. I was told they would take what they want and set the rest out by the curb. I like to look at my grandmother's items while I drink my coffee each morning. So, sad spoiled kids might have to spend time going through all that trash to get what they want. It makes the old person think they are taking too long to die. Does anyone else think this way?
No I don't feel this way because I had to go through all my Mother's things and it was hard, I do not want to make my kids go through that so I am decluttering now. You can still keep some special things, they will stay special because you had them out, you loved them and displayed them and told stories about them. I have kept about 5-6 special vases and decor that's it. I felt sad but once I donated all the stuff and drove off it wasn't mine anymore. It felt SO good.
@@katethegardener Although I agree with you in principle, I think Mary's children are extraordinarily rude and unfeeling to call her stuff 'shit' and be so dismissive of her feelings. There are kind and loving ways to make the same point. No wonder she's unhappy.
@@marijo1951I Agee,too.there are kinder ways to do this,and one day,I hope that they realize how cruel and unnecessary their behavior was. What comes around….
Turn the tables on them and give away the things they would cherish most. You can't take it with you, after all.
If the children have this attitude, leave them the mess to clean up.
@ Good advice. Also, if you have any money saved, spend it on treats for yourself, don't leave them any of it!
Great video, Thank you!
You are welcome!
I am considering some of what you just shared!
You can do it!
I took pics of special dog food bags I had bought for my three dear much loved oldies of 16, 24 and 25 years of age pups Chloe, Michaelah and Amber that my dear friends Dana and Candy and her family had put into my care after Dana passed suddenly and his family put her into my care and Candy and her husband had developed some medical issues. Chloe passed that year in 2020 several months after her Dad she is now with and Candy passed a few years ago and then her two sweeties last year and the year before are now with their Mom. As their Auntie-Momma, I look.firward to Jesus Returning and Bringing Resurrection so I can be with them all again along with my other much loved ones!!! I actually had held onto those empty bags for a while!
That is very touching. You were a wonderful friend to them all.
I was just thinking I should have a talk with my daughter now and see what we can decide on now for what is a keeper and what is a throwaway. Then I will know exactly what she will want and then we can give away the rest,
It is important to hear her thoughts but your own view also counts. If it no longer makes you happy, let it go.
It took me months to declutter before moving to a 55 plus apartment.
It definitely takes time!
I'm down to 4 large plastic bins of old letters and other meaningful papers. A lot of it needs to go, but this is the hardest part.
You can do it!
YEA LET SOME OF THOSE NO LONGER CURRENT MEMORIES GO- SEND THEM TO THE KIDS- AND START LIVING!
BULLSHIT!!! Stop terrorizing seniors!!! I am 70-years-old. Last month de-cluttered my entire house and garage. I did it when I was ready and the process was empowering. Ridding my life of what no longer fits with the person I am today was the best thing to do for my overall well-being!!!!!
Are you Ok? No-one is being terrorized. This video is very helpful to a lot of us.
I just can't get started.
You can do it!
Just remove 1 thing per day or week until you can get going more quickly.😊
@@shirleytodd6900 Thanks!
Don’t start with the emotional stuff. Try removing a stack of newspapers or magazines that aren’t triggering memories. Donate a few shoes or coats. Throw out expired groceries. Maybe this can help start the process.
@nlbhaduri Many, many thanks. Aha, you've been there! Appreciate the help.
🙋♀️💪
What I lot of Garbage !!
Are we in kindergarten yes I clean out what is OLD and no longer use
Are you assuming we are all holders? 🙄 we are older and wiser or should be !! 😵💫
If this doesn't help you then move on, no need to be hateful. This video is helping a lot of people myself included. Be kind we are all struggling with something.