Baby boomers are often called the sandwich generation because they are taking care of both children and parents. That also means they are likely to have taken their parents’ possessions after the older generation has downsized or passed away, and may be holding on to their grown children’s childhood stuff. Both serve memories but not necessarily the well-being of the baby boomers who are left holding the baggage. I hear a lot from clients complaining that their adult children do not have the space to take their childhood stuff. Some clients have trouble deaccessioning their parents’ possessions as well.
Delaying dealing with possessions means that space is not well utilized. Even if the boxes are stored in attic, basement or garage, they still have to be dealt with when the time comes to downsize. It’s much easier to tackle your next stage/chapter of life, when you don’t have someone else’s baggage in your home serving as an obstacle.
How to do it? If adult children want anything from their childhood or from their grandparents, tell them to take it immediately. Create a deadline and stick to it. After the deadline, whatever is left behind should be donated or tossed.
When you put your own welfare first by decluttering and tidying up, you are no longer a storage unit for others. Remember a tidy home equals tidy mind.
I am in this situation and still have plenty to toss. But: do you have Mom’s clothes (vintage) or wedding dress? Hats? Swim suits? Gloves? I had all of these and donated them to a theater which was THRILLED to take them, including vintage, no longer made lingerie (nightgowns).
JK, thank you for sharing your experience on what you did with your mom’s vintage clothes.