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Downsizing IS extremely difficult and individualized. I’m going very slowly, bit by bit. Even after transpacific moves, I still have too many things like big portraits and art but no walls to hang them. Letting go of treasures and sweet memories attached to them was depressing for me. Taking pictures has helped bring them back to my mind. My kids want or need very little. Even their first tooth! They don’t have the room. Their lifestyles are very different than our generations. A more casual, simple social cultures and new traditions with friends and family are the norm today. I had to switch my sad way of thinking, while letting go of possessions, to feeling good knowing that someone will be happy to find and use my things. That has helped me tremendously. Recycle/repurpose, as my granddaughter always suggests. I also think my children would appreciate not having to clear out my home after I’m gone.
Replies to "Downsizing IS extremely difficult and individualized. I’m going very slowly, bit by bit. Even after transpacific..."
Thank you! How helpful your comment is that ¨knowing someone will be happy to find and use my things.¨ That may make it easier to let go of things I´ve treasured, but that don´t interest my adult children at all. Someone out there will be happy to find and use my things.
What a gift your comment is!
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Yes, for me downsizing clothing, household goods, even art & sewing supplies, even holiday decorations is not difficult. I was even able, after much thought, to curate my large collection of handmade jewelry and move some to new homes.
However it is HARD to part with our many beloved paintings, prints, photos (ours and others) from our travels and family photos & snapshots that we would need a small museum to hang them all. We have kept our favorites on display and are letting the rest go to new homes - no more hiding in closets!
I have passed on many pieces of china, glassware and pottery, leaving only my favorite pieces. Though I am still not ready to part with all of them, I will be making "still life" portraits (with a proper background) of those as well as Native Art - baskets, pottery, jewelry & our collection of fossils this summer.
So I am photographing them and adding them to our electronic photo display frame, where there is a constantly rotating display. We can enjoy them year round without taking up space.
It travels with us when we go to our tiny house in the South, and is on the living room wall here in our somewhat larger home.
When the time comes to "say goodbye" to these last bits, we will have a memento. At least the Native pieces and fossils will find homes with our kids and grandkids, as well as a few select pieces of wall art and glassware.
My last problem is our furniture. Nearly every wooden piece is classic oak, simply styled and over 90 years old - I know we will have to choose among these pieces when we down-size - I just hope it is far enough down the road that our grandsons or great nieces and nephews will be making their homes and will appreciate simple, quality pieces.
Sue