Downsizing, needs must

We ended up in a house simply because it was the right size in the right place with the right sized garden. Can’t have everything. It was a challenge after my knee replacements but is probably one of the reasons the operations were so successful.

We have a house as we have friends with “bungalow knees”. They just can’t do stairs because they never do.

I admire you. I doubt I could be like you. But I suppose needs must.

Clearing out the lives of 6 old folk sounds very challenging janeayre.

I find it easier to get rid of the more recent acquisitions than the ancient stuff which represents our lives.

When Gt aunt died at almost 100, her only DD got the house clearers in. I remember thinking how unsentimental to not offer any of it to the extended family. Now how grateful I am that we didn't get landed with her clutter too!
If I ever get round to downsizing, I have inherited the contents of 3 other homes along the way, so it will be very difficult. Our poor DC and DGC. They're young and fit so will be able to cope . It might be a bonding experience for them.

I woke up today, after a good sleep, knowing that some of the specialist stuff that hubbie bought especially for him, they have to go. They take up a lot of room and are too big, bulky and heavy for me to ever use them. 4 years on, the garage is packed and I am thinking, why on earth am I taking them when I know they will just take up precious space and gather dust. The space in the back of the car is now full and they will be placed in that special area of recycling, where people can take if they want. I could sell them but time is running out. All good wood workshop stuff, just not for me and at last, I admit to myself

Some things are harder to let go than others but when the time is right, you have to be aware of what the inner mind is saying

I hope you get help taking them out of the car craftyone - careful of your back.

I've started photographing items I am decluttering now, as I've wasted time looking for some of them! I went at it hammer and tong last summer ready to go on the market and must keep going.

That 'bungalow knees' comment rang a bell.

When they were only mid 60s and still perfectly mobile, my folks moved to a bungalow. Not because they particularly wanted a bungalow, but because it was all they could find in their chosen area.

Roll on about 3 years, and they decided they didn't like the area after all, and moved again, to a house. And remarked on how they really noticed that stairs had become much more of an effort, after not having them for so long.

'Stair-fitness' did return, though, and my mother was still well able to manage them when she finally had to go into a care home at 89, because of advancing dementia.
I know she was lucky (from a mobility POV) though.

5 years of storing items from my parents place .
Dad died in 2014 mum went into care and then died 2016.
We did at one stage have 5 storage units however about a year ago we got down to one.
I really want that last one gone .
They had a large 3 bedroom place. We have a reasonable sized 2 bedroom townhouse

I am back, I have done it. Good luck to those on the downsize marathon, get that bit between your teeth. They are only `things`

I am just about to go and embrace that extra space created out of the blue this morning

oh just to say that I honestly thought I had finished 6 months ago but if truth be told and when push came to shove, I have downsized a lot of big stuff in the last month and don`t regret it at all. The reality check came when I realised that I would have much less room in the new house, at first it was like a hammer blow but soon I started to think `ok, so I will embrace it`

Craftyone have you thought of giving your specialised things to a charity? That way you might get pleasure knowing they will be valued. There is a charity called Men in Sheds that might fit the bill?

They will probably have been picked up by now midgey, to people who will use them

yay, 7 large salt glazed heavy pots and one young japanese acer, are now gone to sonil. It was worth it to see the smile on his face and to hear that he is now enjoying gardening

A good downsizing day today

Feel the freedom crafty! Well done!

Thanks Nfk, I have nothing left to give and only added temporary blinds to my stash. I am almost through the whole house, almost everything I can carry is now nestled in boxes and bags downstairs. My bedroom today, that final sort in my wardrobe, I have some tatty well used (lately) warm thin jumpers but am not sure about the weather right now. Need to be warm while I shift and carry. Anyway, ikea trunk bags are upstairs and waiting. Distinctive so I will be able to find my clothes