What Do You Cherish?

I did a post a few weeks ago about Downsizing, Rightsizing or Staying Put - it was my most read post to date. I have been thinking about it and thought I would follow it up with a discussion about the objects that follow us, the things we take with us.

Some of us will downsize to a smaller place, some of us will stay put and eventually hire help, and some of us will rightsize - meaning we’ll go to a property that makes more sense for us. It’s not necessarily downsizing. I don’t need a smaller home, I need a smaller property - with less yard to keep up. I mean I want a yard and a flower bed or two, but no sprawling lawn with tons of gigantic oak trees, and huge beds to mulch. I would like a more up to date floor plan - a first floor master, and an office/project space. Hell, I might upsize with square footage! My house is not that big, it’s a fine size for us, it just needs to work better.

Regardless of where we go and how it works out, we will be whittling down “things and stuff”. And if you DO get a smaller place, then you ARE going to be getting rid of lots of stuff. I am ruthless about not keeping stuff. There is not much in my attic. I had to go through tons of stuff that was being saved for Whitten, or that was his. It was wrenching but I did it. I am still going through it, bit by bit. Every time I do, I can part with a few more things.

But not everyone is ruthless like that - things hold so much emotion for most of us. Some of it is baggage you’re afraid to let go of, and some of it is lovely memories. Unfortunately some of the pieces that mean so much to you, may need some strategy to make them work in a new environment.

How can you get rid of that bed that was a wedding present from your parents? All of a sudden you have nowhere to store it and you don’t need it, but you don’t want to get rid of it. Are you gonna store it somewhere? No, don’t do it unless you get a sworn affidavit that someone is going to take it. How about repurposing it? That’s what I did - I painted it white and took it to our river house.

Can you give it to your children or nieces and nephews? Here’s the thing - unless you have a lot of mid-century modern pieces, chances are they won’t take it. They are not using formal crystal and silver for entertaining these days. Embroidered linens and fine china are not on many wedding registries anymore. If your kids recognize the value, and have a place for it, then you are lucky and probably won’t have a problem with any nicer pieces or family heirlooms you must part with.

Some of it may have to go on Facebook Marketplace or to the local consignment shop. Books and tchotchkies can be sold on Ebay. Dishes can be sold to Replacements. If you have real valuables to let go of, then an estate sale may be the way to go.

But all that is just stuff. Yes it’s nice stuff, there are some beautiful, beautiful things, but they are just things. How in the world do we make these decisions? We just will. And you know what? It will be a load off of our shoulders.

Changing environments is the opportunity to get rid of things that you’ve been keeping, just because you thought you should. I used to have a lot of things in that category. My philosophy is now, “the sooner the better”. And you are allowed to get rid of something you’ve been hanging on to, and replace it with something you’ve always wanted. I mean now is the time.

The things that you cherish are the things that will stay with you till your last days, wherever they are spent. Those pictures of your parents, or your grandchildren, or your beloved black and white schnauzer named Friday. 😉 Your favorite comfortable leather chair and favorite books. Your photo albums and travel diaries. Your warmest coat or your softest blanket. The backgammon game you play with your hubby. The locket your mom gave you, your charm bracelet and your son’s ring.

In addition to all your people, what do you cherish?