purging Archives %- – Rock The Wrinkle

Downsizing. Rightsizing. Simplifying. Purging. Lightening your load. It’s a popular theme for us over 50 boomers and beyond. And it can be quite liberating.

I mean who doesn’t enjoy the feeling of just getting rid of stuff? Especially when it’s still usable and could be of value to someone else. Thus the many trips to Goodwill, ARC, and other charitable organizations who know how to recycle and reuse.

But what all do you get rid of?

There’s the drawer full of socks you never wear. The books you never read or read so long ago you can’t remember. The strange knick-knacks some long deceased aunt or uncle bought you while overseas. That odd artificial flower arrangement. That weird scarf you can’t stand. The tie clip you wouldn’t be caught dead wearing.

That’s the easy stuff. But what about the rest?

It can be hard to separate the memories from some items. Sure, it’s not the prettiest vase on the planet, but Mother gave it to you. Or the pipe set from your grandfather. Or the painting your father’s aunt did that you ended up with but have never hung.

Is it okay to throw these things away?

Moving experts will tell you yes, it’s okay. Keep the memory. But maybe don’t keep the item. Especially if you’re moving. There’s just too much stuff. Too many boxes to pack. Too many boxes to unload.

(You know they multiply in the moving van, right?)

Yet there’s the guilt.

We remain convinced that somehow, those who have gone on the great beyond will know we just threw out that ceramic dog.

Seriously?

The late comedian George Carlin had a great routine about this….our “stuff”. We all have stuff. We have to move our stuff because our homes aren’t big enough to hold our stuff. Then there’s the stuff we take when we travel. Which stuff should we take?

Stuff.

Move cross-country a few times and you’ll have a new perspective. You don’t think you have that much, until you count the boxes in your garage.

Oh my God, how did I get this much stuff??

I think it’s kind of like friends. There are those people who are just on the fringe of our lives, who maybe like to “friend” us on social media but don’t really know our stories. People who wouldn’t be there at 2 a.m. in the emergency room if we called them.

But would be there if George Clooney were staying in our front room.

Do you hang on to them? Probably not.

You hang on to the people who care about you. Who ask you how you are and then wait for the answer. Who laugh with you, and cry with you. People who let you be who you are, warts and all.

Those you keep. Always.

Many older people face a lot of anxiety and sadness when they are told to “rightsize” so they can move into a smaller residence, often a senior living community. Understandably, giving up cherished antiques can be quite upsetting. But think about it: how much space do you really need?

How much space do you actually live in?

Is it the antique, or the memory, that lives in your heart?

I can tell you this; being about to embark on another cross-country move and packing boxes until my eyes roll backwards has inspired me to part with many things. I can only hope they give others joy.

I know I feel simply giddy.