By Matt Paxton
I’ve walked into thousands of homes over the past 20-plus years, and I can tell you the question everyone asks, without fail, sometime around hour two of sorting through the garage: “What am I going to do with all this stuff nobody wants?”
It’s not that nobody wants your stuff. They don’t want this stuff. Not your china or the dining room furniture.
Here’s what surprises people: the room your grandkids actually want to dig through is your closet. Vintage is officially 1985 now. Somewhere out there, someone’s stonewashed jeans are a treasure.
But don’t start in the closet. Start at the dining room table. Pick your top five most important items. Sit down and talk about them to a family member, friend, or neighbor. Anyone who will listen. And tell the story. Where did you find it? What did you use it for?
I’ve had a man cry over a tackle box used when fishing with his dad over six decades ago. One woman proudly shared the story of her welding goggles from WWII when she was a Rosie the Riveter. Many stories their kids never heard. That’s the conversation your family will remember, not the items sold at the garage sale.
Expect to get surprised. I’ve watched someone open a shoebox they hadn’t touched in decades and find a stack of love letters from before they were married. Every house has something like that tucked away. A little memento with a story to share.
You’ll be delighted when you’ve cleared the clutter and made room for new memories.
Want to hear more from downsizing expert and TV host Matt Paxton? He’s bringing these stories to his upcoming session. Come hear it live. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
