A friend of mine likes to share articles on Facebook about how people of our generation have too much stuff, constantly reminding us that millenials don’t want our stuff and thus, we should get rid of it all now.
Somehow this strikes me as not just annoying but downright obnoxious. The most recent article was by a woman who was writing about cleaning out her mother-in-law’s home after the woman died, and finding a stash of sweaters that were her father-in-law’s from years past. Apparently he had died some years earlier. She couldn’t fathom why THESE old things had been kept and seem to relish discussing how they were tossed unceremoniously into a dumpster, then going on about how much they had to pay for said dumpster.
If her mother-in-law had been at all considerate, she would have spent the last years of her life throwing out her little mementos and tchotchkes rather than leaving them this mess to clear out.
The title of the article was “Your stuff isn’t worth anything.” Perhaps it’s not worth much monetarily. The friend who posted it recently moaned about owning a set of dishes which had cost over $1000, and is now worth about $35 to an auction house, and how his daughter doesn’t want it. It’s merely taking up space in his home. Someone commented on his lament – “then USE it!” I cheered inwardly.
I was given the heartbreaking task of cleaning my parents’ home when my mother died. As my sister and I say, the hoarding gene is strong in my family. There wasn’t a shirt box given to my mother that didn’t find its way to the attic. We, too, rented a dumpster, and tossed most of those shirt boxes, along with a bit of other “stuff” that was of no earthly use to us but apparently meant something to my parents.
My sisters and I have a lot of stuff, stuff he would consider just junk and apparently we should immediately clear our homes of the things that give us joy because our children and grandchildren won’t want to do it. To this I say, “tough shit, I won’t be here and I don’t care.” I am happy surrounded by my balls of yarn that I’ll never live long enough to knit up, by my hoards of books that I’ve read and the piles yet to be read, by little trinkets that sparkle in the sun and mementos of my ancestors.
Because someone doesn’t want to be bothered at some point in the distant future (I hope very distant) to have to deal with my balls of yarn, and my books and my treasures, I suppose I should give them all up and live in an austere little one room cabin with nothing but a blanket and one pair of clothes.
I’m a touch crabby today. Get off my lawn and leave my stuff alone. And you want to be a minimalist, good for you, go preach it to someone else. And get off my lawn.
Suziecreamcheese Sings the Blues 
If there were a “LOVE” button for a blog post, I’d give this hundreds of them! Having only my younger brother left in my family, who is also a minimalist, I’ve let go of some things over the past few years that I was keeping out of some sense of ‘obligation’ because they were inherited and meant something to the person from whom they were inherited. I have more than I need – still – but what I have matters to my heart and soul, so it’s going no where as long as I’m around to cherish it! With technology what it is today, new generations don’t understand the sense behind being able to actually touch items we cherish. That’s on them!
Excellent post with excellent perspective!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I too, have a lot of “stuff” that I got from my parents. One thing – a scroll of drawings that had been done by an uncle I never met – I somehow inherited. Randomly, I asked my oldest nephew if he would want it. He was thrilled to take it and I know will treasure it – something drawn by a man we never knew, but heard stories about, was loved by my mom, and who died way too soon.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Ramblings and Ruminations and commented:
This post speaks to me. I know those of my generation will understand what it is to feel the texture of cherished things.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree. If they want to dump all their stuff that is their choice but to suggest that others should do the same is just rude.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t think you’re crabby at all. What, we’re supposed to sort through years of accumulated stuff and dispose of it, then sit and wait for death’s chariot? No thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was honestly the impression I got from the article. Like, “How DARE you impose on us!”
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are the opposite. We toss out stuff all the time. Very few collectibles around here. It all started because we’ve moved a lot, and as we’ve aged (cough) it’s mostly been from big houses into small condos or homes. On one memorable move we went from a 4,000 square feet house to a 650 square foot condo. Out it goes! Even now we have a somewhat strict rule that if anything new is brought in, something old and unused must go out. The Tao of the Closet. But, yes, you are crabby and we all know it but we love you anyway. 😋
LikeLiked by 1 person
stop throwing stuff out unless you throw it my way. 🙂 I seriously understand the need to downsize, what I don’t like is to be preached at for anything. That just gets my hackles up and I get crabby.
LikeLike
🦀🦀🦀🦀🦀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Right on! I agree! 🙂
I found it an honor, and sweet, and heart-touching, to sort through all of my Mom AND my MIL’S stuff after they died. It was joy to see what they had kept…what had meaning to them. It was a joy to share the precious-est of things with my siblings, their kids and their kid’s kids.
It was especially a joy to get to be the one to sort through the photos and share them with my siblings.
Then we gave the things we didn’t need or want with other people…friends, neighbors, and to thrift stores to sell so they could keep the money for their charities.
We all surround ourselves with things that make us smile…so we should be able to enjoy our stuff right up until the moment we go to The Great Bed, Bath, and Beyond! 😉 😀
(((HUGS))) 🙂
LikeLike
I love this! Thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person