The problem with being a collector is that eventually it all must be dealt with, either when you downsize into a smaller home or apartment, or later on when your family must absorb it or sell it.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about collections and what to do with them when the time comes to move into a smaller home.
I have helped my mother-in-law downsize four times already so you would think I would be an expert at it.
When she sold her large family home which was packed with collections and furniture, I helped her downsize to a two bedroom condo. Several years later, she entered a retirement home and downsized again--this time to a studio apartment the size of my living room.
Then last year, she fell and broke her leg and I had to take out rugs, chairs and clutter to make her room safe and easy to maneuver a walker.
Bless her heart, she still has some of her Belleek and Hummels that she collected over the years.
They are part of her and they make her happy!
I inherited some of her Belleek and have enjoyed using it. It has sentimental value and I don't think I can ever sell it or donate it.
Which brings me to my point.
Downsizing in the near future and what to do with all my stuff, plus my mother-in-law's stuff, plus my grandma's stuff, plus my grown children's stuff.
You get the idea...
My name is Delores and I'm a collector.
Is there a 12 step program for that?
Step one: Do not buy more stuff!
Do not add anymore to your collections.
Ok, I can do that because I'm truly ready to downsize.
I look forward to narrowing down my collections to what is really important to me, to keep something either for its sentimental value or because I simply love it.
Books are the one thing I refuse to get rid of though!
I envision our next house with built-in bookshelves just waiting for my book collection!
As we prepare for the inevitable job of a future downsize, I am being mindful of the stuff in my life and look forward to decluttering, organizing and simplifying our home.
And so the process begins!