The secret of happiness is to admire without desiring. ~Francis H. Bradley

This morning I woke up thinking about all the stuff my husband and boys would have to sort through if something happens to me. It is morbid to wake up with those thoughts and sadly, it’s not the first time.

Having grown up in a neat and tidy home, I am easily overwhelmed by the thought and appearance of too many things. With two active teenage boys, it is a challenge to keep order in our home but the appearance of our “public” spaces – kitchen, living room, and family room – is one of organization and efficiency. On the flip side: the kid’s bedrooms, their gaming room, and the garage tell a different story: clothes, games, and Legos on the floor and a garage overflowing with tools, bikes, and myriad sporting equipment.

Our master bedroom and my office are tidy but only because I’ve organized everything into practical boxes or tucked things into drawers; it is when I peek into the boxes or open the drawers that I become overwhelmed with the amount of stuff that I own.

My parents’ home had always been a showcase of good taste with their collection of antiques and art. Everything had its place and their home was always ready for guests. It never dawned on me that my parents possessed a lot of stuff but after my Mom died, I was the one who sorted through her things: cleaning out her closet, drawers and medicine cabinet. The process of sorting, tossing and reminiscing was arduous. There was evidence of my Mom’s personality and values: she was sentimental, practical (but on occasion would splurge as evidenced by a few fabulous handbags), she loved staying connected to people, and she loved her family. It is interesting what one’s possessions can tell about a person.

I couldn’t help but notice that my Mom also had things neatly organized in practical boxes, hanging up in closets, and tucked away in drawers – as does my Dad – and that is when it hit me: I will be responsible for sorting through the entire contents of their house when my Dad passes. That thought was overwhelming: my responsibility for “stuff” had just doubled.

My philosophy had always been “one out” when something new comes in. Over the years, it became “one in, two out” and now, after realizing my responsibility for two housefuls of stuff, my philosophy has changed to “NO MORE STUFF!”.

My Mom once told me “You spend half your life accumulating things, the other half trying to get rid of it.”

I’ve officially entered the second half of my life but refuse to call it “Midlife” but rather “Minimalist Life” because I don’t want to spend the rest of my life getting rid of my things, I’m ready to let them go now.