If you are over 60, PLEASE read this!

There’s good news.  And not so good news. Watcha want first?  I betcha said “bad news,” right?  Okay so here goes:

You are going to die.  And you are closer to that moment than you were 50 years ago. Your physical presence will be gone.  The 40-years-accumulation that you kept telling yourself you would deal with “one day” has now passed.  That ship has sailed cause, you know, you’re dead. 

And I’m sorry but it gets worse. Your kids are going to have to fly in from out of state to find the needed paperwork – that is IF you have the needed paperwork - like your will, your life insurance, etc.  Hopefully you’ve informed your loved ones where to find this paperwork.  Otherwise, they will be left to sorting through the 10 years’ worth of junk mail and expired coupons piled up in the dining room. 

Your adult children now need to find an organizer or an estate liquidator because they are taking time off from their jobs – without pay –and have only two weeks to empty out the house, and find a real estate agent to get it on the market. 

Their grief is mingled with outrage as they discover yet another box tucked behind the other boxes in the garage. 

The cost runs into the thousands of dollars because of the amount of manpower required.  The kids are hoping that the estate sale will cover most of the fees but the truth of the matter is, there are few things that will fetch more than a dollar or ten.

And now for a philosophical question – do the departed look down from heaven and see the garage sale buzzards bickering over .25 cent tchotchkes and rusted shovels?

I can’t help but wonder and this is why when I go to an estate sale, I usually come away feeling melancholic.

But here’s why I think this way. Because I see this firsthand.  I have folks from around the country email me pictures of the disasters they have to clean up. 

And this is why I plead with you.  I’m not even talking about hoarders.  This is my challenge to leave a gift behind for your children – and unpack those boxes, donate and sell whatever unneeded stuff you’ve been hanging to.  

After this joy-killing plea, here’s the good news:

You CAN do something about this NOW.  Start with setting an intention.  Have the kids come over and take whatever they want so you can see their appreciation and get those warm fuzzies.  If they say they don’t want anything: BELIEVE THEM! And then prepare to let it go.

Next, day dream about what you would like to do with the cash you get from selling items.  How about that little trip you’ve been dreaming about?  A nice dinner with the family?  A gift to your favorite charity? 

Give this some deep thought and imagine how good it will feel.  You will need this vision to keep you moving forward when the unclutter journey runs out of steam. 

Then set a date.  Hire help if needed.  By the way, a note about cost.  If you’re paying on a storage unit (average cost of $200/month), hiring an organizer is chump change compared to the peace of mind and freedom you’ll find. 

Organizers can range from $25/hour on up to over $200/hour. (Curious about my rates?  You can find them here.)   If that is absolutely off the table due to cost, find a declutter buddy and help one another.  Ask around and see if there is a teenage youth group that will donate a few hours of time in exchange for pizza.  Get creative!  There is something magical about how the right help appears in the right time when we set an intention and TAKE ACTION. 

The time is now to unclutter your life, my friends.