Paralyzed by Your Possessions? Read On

Having been responsible for emptying a farmhouse which had been the family home since the 1890's, occupied by three generations of practical folks who saved everything that had potential usefulness, I know too well how things can accumulate. As there were no direct decendents of the last resident at the farm, it became a diplomatic challenge to divide treasured family heirlooms among all 19 cousins. After the important things were moved, it then was most helpful to have a trusted auctioneer help with decisions about the remainder: what was a "good collectible" to sell at auction, what was only going to bring in a little (and sometimes it was impossible to discern the difference myself), and what should fill the roll-away dumpster, twice. One might think the experience would have motivated me to filter my own belongings in the same way - but so far, it's not made it to my active to-do list. However, I think I'm far more likely to tackle it now than I would have been before this process began.

Ellen Newcomer of PA 4:54PM July 01, 2009

I had a life change this year, and took that opportunity to start simplifying my life. At first it was little things, then it started getting easier and easier. Pretty soon, the lawn was just a giant gift shop to the world.

The first obstacle to get over was holding on to things in your life you don't use, but perceive that it still has value and so you shouldn't let go of it. If you aren't using it, then its only value is as a dust collector.

Start small, and force yourself to keep to your rules. Mine first rule was "If it hadn't been used in ten years, it had to go." that was hard at first, but I did it. Then we went to 6 years, then three, then a year. Eventually, we just emptied the attic. Things that I saved for heirlooms that I didn't use, I bequeathed while I can still enjoy them receiving it. (Why hold on to it if you don't use it?).

The house was empty after a few months, and I felt great and free. Now the house is too big. So much of it was just storage or "filler" furniture.

Start small and see how it changes your entire outlook. It is a true domestic colonic for the soul.

Joshua Hudson of PA 3:19PM June 30, 2009

My husband and I are in the throes of exactly this process now. We've been selling stuff on Amazon.com for three years, maybe two or three items a week. Early this year, we added Craigslist sales, and after two garage sales figured out we'd have to move stuff at a faster pace, so we've started to take a vanload of things to a flea market every week. It's surprising to me what items sell, but I've realized that there's a buyer for everything. We're downsizing in a big way - going from a 2200 SF home with a full basement and four-car garage to a 20-foot conversion van, pulling a 20-foot toy hauler.

We have decided to keep a storage locker, but intend to keep only books, hobby supplies, sports equipment,and extra clothes. We'll circle back two or three times a year to trade out seasonal items/clothes, and replenish the books and hobby supplies, having used up some quantity of those items in our travels.

So far, we're finding the experience of "lightening the load" to be very freeing, and the more we get rid of, the more we want to get rid of.

I'm taking photos and similar mementos and scanning them into the computer, and even those items will get dumped eventually.

Linda Ellis of IL 2:43PM June 30, 2009

My wife and i were having trouble with getting rid of stuff. We tried an experiement that may help others. i opened a storage locker and put all the stuff that was in quesion inside. We kept the locker for one year. The key rule was that we could go and get anything we wanted from the locker during that year. At the end of the year we had forgotten what the stuff was and we dumped the boxes without opening them. This system worked very well for us.

CATO

cato of MD 1:52PM June 30, 2009