The sad truth of all those objects that marked our existence....

[p6x]

This was always, and remained one of my major issue in life.

But it started as soon as I started in life, not because I grew old. Because I spent 35 years of my life living in various countries, I have accumulated a lot of souvenirs that have punctuated my time there, good or bad.

Fortunately, because my company only have assignments for three years, and limited shipping options, I lost a lot of my possessions which I still remember and miss dearly today. In particular my childhood stuff, which I had managed to keep intact until the passing of my parents.

When I look at my "stuff" today, I realize that I need to start unloading, but I am unable to initiate the process. But I know I should.

 

 

 

[footgoose]

Leave it to Dr Peterson to so eloquently beard the lion. I've just moved to my new and presumably last home, after 26 years. No family so just a single guy's work and hobby junk. An amazing amount of crap. It forces one assign value to each item. I had to face the reality of the advice I had given a close friend not so long ago. He was bemoaning the amount of 'stuff' he had accumulated and didn't know where to begin. I told him that when he's gone, someone will walk through your things, look around, and throw most of it out. Little did I know at the time that he would pass within the year. Close family kept a small keepsake, auctioned or donated the rest. 

My girlfriend now gets to sort through her pile of belongings so her house can be sold. Country life awaits us. I have to buy a tractor. ... and a few other things

[Tomchri]

Worry’s will only hurt your stomach, don’t watch news for one. I bet my son will be happy with all the parts ++++

l say l live a simple life as retired  .

Cheeers Tom.

 

[gstallons]

I can be philosophical telling someone else to throw stuff away . 

[audiomick]

Firstly, I couldn't watch that video. The running text parallel to the audio drives me mad. Can't do that.

Nevertheless, the theme is very current in my household. We moved my girlfriend's father from the house that she grew up in, at least from her early teens, to a "senior residence" in the city that we now live in. He went from over 200 m² to about 65m². Lots of stuff had to go, but the girlfriend had to "save" some stuff. Now we have got more cartons in the flat. Ok, it's not like we can't move in here, but it is too much stuff. There are cartons here that have "survived" two moves without being opened. That means about 16 years. And now some more...

I have to admit, I have a bit of stuff that needs reducing too. I haven't played my trumpet or my flugel horn for years, so one could think about them. I have a fairly extensive collection of Pentax Spotmatic (Honeywell) camera equipment that I haven't used for years. One could definitely think about that.

But it's hard...

 

EDIT: I could note that I have already done a radical reduction. In 1996 I moved from Australia to Germany with a backpack, a briefcase, and two cartons that I sent on ahead. I was about 33 years old at the time, so a fair bit of stuff got sorted out then. And I am fully aware of the advantages that it brought. Still, I like my stuff.

Edited March 1 by audiomick

[audiomick]

Did I mention the books? And the 4 metres or so of vinyl records?

[docc]

Presently embroiled in a transition from a thirty year domicile, I am reminded of the matters of Maritime Law.

Is my buoyant crap falling overboard (flotsam), or am I throwing it overboard deliberately (jetsam)?  Will I try to tie a marker to my sinking stuff (lagan) to try and reclaim it later, or let it sink to abandonment (derelict).

Will pirates come to relieve me of some of the burden?  AAARRRRGGGG !!!

https://everything.explained.today/Flotsam%2C_jetsam%2C_lagan_and_derelict/

[activpop]

There is that old saying...I could fill in the blank with fishing, duck hunting or motorcycle stuff.

When I go, I hope my wife doesn't sell my ________ stuff for what I told her I paid for it.

[belfastguzzi]

I'm sure I've put thoughts on this before, but a long time ago. I'm sure many have. Along with aging, it's unavoidable. 
I think not so much about my own accumulation of recent decades, modernish things with relatively fleeting life and use, but the more everlasting items that have built and shaped through generations. They can be weighty and all together they certainly take space. They are often simple in construction and function, robust and good for purpose from past into the far future. Stone masonry, carpentry, iron fettling. Now I feel this is the end of the long line of use and interest though generations: what is present will be dispersed or junked after me. There's no point in passing-on, as these items would only be burdens. So really I should just get rid of such old things to free up precious space I need. But the solid integrity of these things... they are just not 'throwaway'.

[gstallons]

Going back to 1995 . Just get a divorce in Ky. where the ex keeps EVERYTHING . she keeps your childhood pics , mementos , everything. You get your truck and clothes .  

I was talking to a buddy and he was telling me about he couldn't find his H.S. football uniform when he "left" . She told him later she threw it all out in the backyard ,poured gas on it and burned it. I don't have to tell you , some women in Ky are mean. 

[Bingbong]

Having been through a couple of moves (divorce) and downsizing my garbage I can tell you it’s a revelation. I still have too much stuff but I am getting there. 1 rule to follow, if it’s useful or gives you pleasure then it stays. All else gets ejected.

so I have 1 car 1 small house, 2 guzzis a Yamaha tmax and a Ducati 996..  oh and an Aprilia Tuono..  . 

 

[guzzler]

A very relevant post.

As of December, I've had to move my Dad into permanent care after a fall and broken hip meant he can no longer stay in his home despite the fact that my brother also lives in it too. He needs a level of care now (Alzheimer's as well) that we can no longer provide hence the placement. 

We're almost over the red tape and will shortly have to go through his belongings and do the same as some of you mention here. It does make you think about your own stuff...My wife is always giving me curry about my collection of bike magazines, books, cd's and last few years blurays! 

We also just did our wills to make matters easier on the kids when our time comes too and can just imagine them going through my stuff...I don't reckon much will survive but folk's ...Enjoy your stuff now while you can!!

Cheers 

Ps 11 years ago we moved to our current home which is almost twice the size of our last...which means plenty of space for more STUFF! 

[guzzler]

Ps Bloody good job she doesn't see my posts or that time of reckoning might be sooner rather than later......

[activpop]

Sounds like most of us could benefit from a little Swedish Death Cleaning...that includes me. Yes, it is a thing.

[docc]

10 hours ago, activpop said:

Sounds like most of us could benefit from a little Swedish Death Cleaning...that includes me. Yes, it is a thing.

I had heard that tradition was at age 50? 

In that case, I'm behind . . .