Marie Kondo makes it sound so simple. “Find the things that no longer spark joy. Thank them for their service, and get rid of them.” With this advice in mind, I recently had a house cleaning. I disposed of half of the clothes in my closet. I am resisting the temptation to replace them. This is true regardless of how cute that blue sweater on Amazon is.

I sucked in advice not only from the queen of de-cluttering, but from less known organizers as well. The new trend is toward minimalism. Keep only the things that you need and get rid of the rest, especially as you become older. Don’t saddle your kids with the task of cleaning out your hoard. Your children do not want your stuff. They have their own stuff. Ask “Do I use it? Do I need it? Do it love it?” if no, toss it.

This seems true. When my mother passed, I told my sister I did not want anything. But, I did end up taking a few of her more treasured possessions. I took a double wedding ring quilt from her 50th wedding anniversary. I also took an antique pitcher and bowl from one of her vacation trips. I took her iron frying pan. My sister took the things she wanted and I don’t know what happened to the rest of it.

I have heard of children getting in heated squabbles over possessions after parents pass. I decided this would not happen with us. Nothing mom had was worth arguing over. I think my sister felt the same way. My parents had already given her their car as she was the one providing transportation for them. She sold the car and we went on a trip together to London.

So, I disposed of Tupperware with no lids, books I had already read, and dishes I didn’t use. These were things organizers advised me to dispose of. Then, I started seeing articles advising me to keep things. “Do not give away your possessions. Keep the things that were part of your life and made you happy.” So the other day I was looking for my tie-dyed pants and couldn’t find them. Then I remembered the great closet disposal episode and knew what happened.

Most articles you read are written by real estate sellers. They suggest you keep your house the way that most buyers would like, not the way you like. If it looks too personal, is painted the wrong colors, or has not been updated, it will not sell. The thing is, you are not looking to sell your house. You have to live in it. It should be the way you want it. It should be comfortable for you. So, if I want two computers in my living room, that’s my business.

Thanks goodness I ignored some of the advice and kept things that were really important to me. My daughter will not want my 12 piece place setting of china and it is taking up space. I don’t care. I like it and I am keeping it, along with my paintings, copper pots and Tiffany lamps. These things are part of my life and I want them. My kids can have an estate sale or do whatever they want when I am gone. For now, I am slimming down the junk. But, I am keeping some of it. The old laptop stays. New computers can’t play a CD.

Some things become valuable over time: Vintage toys, books, jewelry, records, coins & stamps, tools, and luggage. I am not keeping things hoping to sell them later. I don’t have time or space for that.

According to statistics, seventy-five percent of people have more stuff than they want. So how much is too much and how much is enough? I suppose it depends on how much space you have, energy for cleaning, and which article you read last.

Copyright 2025 Sheila Moss