Decluttering is more than just a cleaning task; it’s a way to reclaim your space and, in many ways, your life. For baby boomers and older generations, items like fine China, silver flatware, and a workshop full of power tools and hand tools were once essentials.

Business attire—ties, suits, scarves, and heels—that once signified a professional life, don’t get worn in a retired lifestyle. Yard tools may now be collecting dust if you’ve opted to hire help for outdoor maintenance. And then there are the collections, collectibles, travel souvenirs, and more. Some of them may hold sentimental value as heirlooms, while others simply take up space.

As time marches on, our homes often become a treasure trove of memories, filled with items that have been part of our lives for decades. For seniors and older adults, the home can sometimes feel like a silent museum of the past. Once you have transitioned into the empty nester phase or entered the retirement years, the accumulation of possessions can sometimes transform from a comfort to a burden. Decluttering can be a liberating process. Though it’s often difficult to start.

The Benefits of Decluttering

Decluttering can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being. It can make your home safer by reducing trip hazards and making it easier to clean. It can also provide a sense of accomplishment and control. This in turn can boosts happiness and contentment. Moreover, decluttering can be a trip down memory lane, allowing you to revisit and cherish the good times while making room for new experiences.

Decluttering is not just about creating space; it’s about honoring the life you’ve lived and getting set for the future. It’s about distinguishing between what is truly an heirloom, imbued with value and happy memories, and what has become clutter, an obstacle to the enjoyment and safety of your home.

Deciding What Stays and What Goes: Thoughtful Decluttering

When it comes to decluttering, it’s challenging to decide what to keep and what to let go. This process can especially tug on the heartstrings of older adults who have accumulated a lifetime of belongings, each with its own story and sentimental value. Here’s some thoughts and ideas to help you navigate this emotional landscape and make decisions that feel right for you.

Reflect on Your Current Lifestyle

Begin by considering your current lifestyle and what you envision for your future. Keep items that align with your present needs and future aspirations. For example, if you no longer host large family dinners, you might decide to keep a few things for special occasions and let go of the full set of formal dishes, excess candlestick holders, tablecloths, and most of the salt & pepper shaker collection.

Practicality is key here. If an item hasn’t been used in years and has no foreseeable use, it might be time to part with it. This includes clothing that no longer fits, duplicate appliances acquired through the years, and sports equipment you won’t use.  Do you still have tennis rackets when you only play pickleball now?  What about the old-style luggage without wheels, snow skis, rollerskates, sleds, and all those extra beach umbrellas, sand toys, and garden pots?

Assess the Emotional Value

Evaluate the emotional significance of each item. Some belongings are irreplaceable mementos that bring joy and comfort, while others may no longer evoke any feelings.  Sentimental items are the artifacts of our lives, carrying memories and emotions. They are the hardest to part with because they are not just objects; they are tangible pieces of our personal history.

Whether it’s jewelry, artwork, or a book, these objects can evoke powerful memories. Allow yourself to feel these emotions and understand that it’s part of the process. Then tell yourself that it is okay to let go of things that no longer serve a real purpose in your life.

You will want to distinguish between true heirlooms and general collectibles. Heirlooms are items that have been passed down through generations and hold significant family history.

If you’re unsure of an item’s value, consider having it appraised or ask family members if they would like to inherit it. They may cherish certain items that you’re ready to part with, ensuring those belongings continue to be loved and used.

What Might You Find

Some common collectibles that may be found in our homes as seniors and baby boomers include Christmas villages, model trains or cars, postcards, shot glasses and other barware, cookie cutters and tins, vinyl records, dolls, ceramic statues, miniatures, and the list goes on.

And how about items passed down from the family that may be in the attic or a storage unit: home movies, a wedding dress, stacks of photo albums, doilies, lamps, an old sewing machine, and the grandfather clock?

They may be stored next to things you tucked away from you or your own children were growing up – a set of encyclopedias, toys, sports trophies, Halloween costumes, stuffed animals, and all the schoolwork and drawings.  Do your adult children want these things from their youth or is the stuff just piled in their old room, taking up space?

When you consider this long list of stuff and other things that might be in your own home, do you feel at peace or stressed by the sheer amount of things that you have in the nooks and crannies of the house?

Yes – give yourself permission to keep a certain number of items from your collections and keepsakes choosing the ones that mean the most to you. Select a few favorite Longaberger baskets, pieces of pottery, or beer steins, for instance, and then display them in a place where they can be genuinely appreciated.

Consider the Condition and Quality

The condition of an item is important. Even if something holds sentimental value, if it’s broken or in poor condition, it might be better to take a photo to remember it by and then let it go. This way, you can preserve the memory without the physical item taking up space.

As you are going through the closets, basement storage, and garage, you will want to decide if the items are something you would like to keep, donate, sell, or give away.  It is unlikely that you will be able to sell or donate something that does not work or is stained, rusted, cracked, or beyond repair.  And even giving things away that are damaged may be very hard to do.

Donate, Give Away, Sell, or Recycle

For items that are still in good condition or could be fixed up and used, consider donating to a charity or organization where they can benefit others. This gives your belongings a second life and can provide a sense of purpose. There are places like Dress for Success, Menzfit, and The Wardrobe (formerly Wings for Success) that welcome gently worn or new business attire, shoes, and/or other clothing and accessories. And animal shelters like the SPCA often need used, clean blankets and towels.

There are also ways to give things to people in your local community through Freecycle, Buy Nothing or other groups. And local churches, senior centers, or schools may run book drives or rummage sales as fundraisers that would be grateful for your donation.

For more valuable items that you’re ready to let go of, consider selling or consigning them. This can be a practical way to declutter while also providing some financial return. Hold a garage sale or find local consignment shops online and ask them what they may be willing to take.

For items that can’t be donated or sold, look into recycling options. Many materials can be recycled, reducing waste and benefiting the environment. You will likely feel better if you are able to find a new home for your belongings or at least ensure they help with the sustainability of the environment. And if it comes to it – be sure to safely dispose of items that cannot be donated, sold, given away, or recycled.

Steps to Start Decluttering Your Home

Even if you have made the initial decision to start decluttering your home, it can be a daunting task. Here are some steps that can help to guide you in the process:

1. Start with a Plan – One Space at a Time: Begin by choosing a room, closet, shed, or category to declutter first. It could be as simple as starting with clothes that no longer fit or are no longer worn. Tackling one area of your home at a time can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Start with the least used spaces and work your way to the more frequented areas.
2. Safety First – Sort Your Items: As you work, remove tripping hazards and make sure that walkways are clear. Don’t hesitate to ask family or friends for help in general or with lifting heavier boxes. Or you can hire a professional organizer to partner with you on the process as you sort items into categories such as ‘keep’, ‘donate’, ‘sell’, and ‘discard’.
3. Assess the Value: For items that may have monetary or sentimental value, consider if they are heirlooms to be passed down or if they can be sold. For everything else, decide if it’s something you use regularly or if it’s just taking up space.
4. Take Your Time: Decluttering doesn’t have to happen in one day. You did not acquire everything overnight after all. Spread your efforts over time to make the process less overwhelming. As you declutter, think about how you want to use the more open space. Perhaps converting a child’s old bedroom into a hobby room or a meditation room might inspire new activities.

Decluttering – A Personal Journey

Remember, decluttering is a personal journey. And there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Take your time, be kind to yourself, and focus on creating a space that reflects the life you want to live now. Get help if you need or want it from family, friends, and/or professionals. With each step, you’re not just clearing out physical items; you’re making room for new experiences and memories to come. You are creating an environment that reflects who you are today and the life you want to live now.

Decluttering doesn’t mean discarding memories; it’s about honoring them in a way that enriches your present life. So, take that first step, then the second and third ones and embrace the art of decluttering with open arms.