The Great Transfer of Shit is Underway-Part 2

The benefits of just saying no

The Gift No One Wants

Beep, beep, beep!

WTF!? You sent down your morning cuppa and pull back the curtain to see where all the ruckus is coming from. Holy shit!  It’s a moving van the size of Connecticut and it’s backing up to your front door. Emblazoned on its side is the company name: TGTOS. What the hell kind of name is that for movers?

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You feel your brow furrow as the first WTF becomes a cloud of WTFs floating about your head.

 A mountain of a man is guiding the driver as he backs up to your front door. He’s backlit by the red taillights and the smoke from the exhaust makes him appear spectre-like.

Van now parked, Mountain man yanks out the ramp, securing it to your door stoop. His muscled helpers are donning work gloves. Geesh, you’ve never seen biceps ripple before like that.

Up goes the cargo door and you gasp. Clearly, the movers had some mad Tetris skills.

And now all these dudes are pulling shit from the van and...

WHOA!  What the hell are you guys doing?

Mountain man smiles. He’s seen this before.

Congratulations! he says. He smiles as he grabs a brass floor lamp. You note the base of the lamp has a generous amount of duct tape holding it together. Another guy is holding a box labeled, “Franklin Mint Collectibles – FRAGILE!”

You’ve been Shit Transferred! he says. It’s sort of like being Rick Rolled but with stuff, he adds.

But…but… I don’t want it…. I don’t have room for this…

Mountain man replies with a shrug, I get that a lot.

Honey, honey! Wake up!  You’re having a bad dream!  Your partner’s shaking your shoulder.

It was all so real, you mutter. But then you realize, of course it seemed real. It’s a recurring dream that is usually triggered by a visit to your aging parents. And you are reminded once again that you need to have The Talk with them.

Okay, joking aside and thank you for indulging my flight of fancy in describing what is too close to reality for Gen Xers as their boomer parents move into assisted living or pass on.

And in real life, there is no truck coming to deliver the stuff. It’s up to you to sift, sort and distribute contents, something that can take countless hours and a lotta cabbage. Not to mention the emotional toll on family members.

Only you can prevent The Great Transfer of Shit

Last week I discussed the reasons behind the powerful resistance to decluttering even though circumstances mandate doing so. Those circumstances are usually what I refer to as the three d’s of downsizing; Death, downsizing and divorce.

To recap why we resist: We fear loss. And the avoidance of loss only creates more fear and loss.

Moving past this resistance is the only effective way to prevent participating in the TGTOFS. And just like Smokey the Bear admonishes us that only we can prevent forest fires, only you can prevent The Great Transfer of Shit.

Let’s talk about what you will gain by decluttering sooner than later.

The Benefits of Downsizing and Decluttering

Peace of mind. Take a moment right now. Study an area in your home that vexes you every time you walk into it. Let’s say your living room. You usually sigh when you see it. And then the negative self-talk can start.

I feel overwhelmed… I am embarrassed….

Only now, close your eyes and imagine your living room has been transformed into a zen den. The clutter is gone and it feels peaceful.

This is not just some floofy positive affirmation exercise. Research has shown the connection between clutter and stress.

You are deserving of a peaceful environment! It is a huge benefit to your mental health.

Less time cleaning. Even if you don’t have to downsize, less stuff means less time to clean. It also means less time looking for misplaced items too.

Along this line too is fall risk reduction. I’ve been in client home where’s tripping hazards abound due to clutter. Don’t let this be you or your loved one.

Having Less Costs Less

A home that has been downsized is also downsized in expenses. It’s a lot less to heat and cool 1,000 sq ft than it is 3,000 sq feet.

In addition to lower costs, decluttering can put some money into your pocket.

Becoming more mindful of your spending habits will only build your thrifty muscles. Bonus! Mother Earth appreciates the reduced consumption as well.

Having less also means less waste and if you have to pay dump or dumpster fees, this translates into real savings as well.

Time for What Matters Most

To me, this is the most valuable benefit from embracing a simpler life through clutterfree living. Having the benefit of living for over six decades now, I have seen how the consumption machinery continues churning out more and more stuff and it most of it eventually ends up in a landfill.

It’s just stuff.

Time with my loved ones? Oh yes, please. Wouldn’t that be much nicer instead of spending yet another Saturday rearranging the garage?

Fewer stuff means fewer decisions too. Remember the “jam experiment”? Having to pick an outfit from seven that you truly love is much easier that digging through 20 items of stuff that includes “if I just lose five pounds” clothing. (And ahem, it’s been 15 years.)

Simplicity grants you the gift of time to use as you see fit.

The Biggest Bonus

Oh, my goodness. I get so freaking excited over this one. Taking care of the downsizing before you are forced to downsize will be a huge gift to you and your loved ones.  

Consider it an investment that will yield high returns both financially and mentally.

Taking action ahead of time provides for a smoother transition to your new digs. Think of it as your advance directive for your stuff. This is empowering stuff.

Conclusion

I hope you are catching the vision and feel inspired to start downsizing and/or decluttering. Your first steps need not be difficult and can be something as simple as setting a timer for 15 minutes and working on one draw.

If that sounds like too much, know there are professional organizers who stand at the ready to come to your aid, no matter the size of your home.

And remember, only you can prevent The Great Transfer of Shit!

You can do this, dear reader!  I believe in you!

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