Kim Kubsch
Do you feel you have reached the age or time when you need to decide to divide, disperse, or dispose of your stuff—from accumulated dishes, books, tools, furniture, and memorabilia?
Have your kids created established homes, marriages, and babies? Will they want to inherit your vast inventory of lifelong treasures or mementos that were meaningful to you?
Because the popular declutter trend and minimalism lifestyle have converted millions, one might assume nostalgia is dead to anyone under the age of 50.
Millennials have made it clear that they value experiences over things. They feel things are replaceable—life is not. Younger people seem to want to seize the moment and live joyously, unencumbered by a plethora of material possessions.
Kids have embraced the idea of “less is more.” Therefore, when asked if they would like a beautiful bedroom set or Pyrex bowls, the answer is usually a polite but firm, “No thanks.”
Adult children have prioritized their “wants” into three categories when considering hand-me-downs and inherited heirlooms:
• Don’t Want: China, hutches, silver, collectibles
• Might Want: Linens, appliances, electronics, beds
• Definitely Want: Antique furniture, tools, artwork, jewelry
The decision of when and how to unload our possessions is an emotional one but necessary. Do not delay or leave the decision to your children and family members. Asking your kids now what items they prefer may prevent future disappointment and/or sibling conflict. Nostalgia is an emotional connection to what one considers “home.”
Our kids desire items for which they have space, serve a useful purpose, suit their esthetic tastes, and evoke their good memories. Loving relationships define us and are infinitely more valuable than possessions. However, when a keepsake serves as a reminder of a treasured lost relative, it can be difficult to relinquish. Our children may not want my gnome collection or yearbooks but, ultimately, it is their decision to make. They should not feel obligated to have an emotional connection for an object just because I do.
A “no thanks” is not a rejection of you. The items that earn a thumbs down will go to thrift stores, homeless shelters, friends who collect, or an eager buyer on Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, or at estate sales.
Call me at 480-720-8566 for resources, to learn about my free 30-minute consultation, or to speak to your group or event. Or reach me by email at Kim@JoyfulDOWNSIZING.com. My website is www.JoyfulDOWNSIZING.com.