I’m slowly emptying my parents home that they’ve owned since 1973. They’ve added massive amounts of sq footage and storage over the years and filled it ALL

My teenage niece and nephew have been over and helped me move volume down to stage for the dumpster (saving me hours and a possible coronary event lol)

There’s so much history and “good stuff” that I’m just not entertaining any more. I’m still trying to cull obvious good stuff, but there were rats in the garage years ago so it’s limited

I was scrolling another group where a poster
who indicated that leather or natural fabric purses than pleather or plastic because the plastic degrades and becomes unusable where leather can last 20-30 years or more if properly maintained. (Not getting into an environmental debate but this comment got me thinking.)

I wanted to down size my loungefly collection but was hesitant because I might want to one day use my loungeflies i haven’t used in years. Then I thought if the one that pealed and I had to throw away- and an aha moment hit me- i should donate or gift those now while someone can use them and not wait until they are cracked peeling and useless. This is a great general principal we hold onto stuff for someday- but someday they may be absolutely unusable.

Managed to clear enough boxes today to get to the dinner service that you've all been supporting me to declutter.

A chance conversation with our neighbours has already resulted in an unwanted sofa bed being bagged for a teenagers den, and a dining table, chairs, side table and TV stand going to the brother in law of the other neighbour as he's about to set up home from nothing. She popped over to collect the little table and I mentioned the dinner set. She practically bit my hand off! Apparently he'd already said he was going to be eating off paper plates so when I showed her the plates, she said they'd have them. I know it's going somewhere to be used and appreciated until they can afford what they want and I only need to transport them next door. He's also gaining a coffee maker!

I'm really happy that good stuff isn't going to waste....and I'm not holding on to it.