The Three Ds

   The past year or so has been a challenging time. Life as we once knew it will be for many of us only a memory as we are now challenged to travel new paths, new roads and possibly new directions. It has forced us consider and reconsider perhaps a series of new priorities in our lives.

   Some of the changes have been difficult and hard to explain or understand. But there are some that may actually help us in the long run. Learning experiences. There are some new trends and on a personal note I call some of them my Three D’s.

   Having spent many days and weeks confined to home, I needed something to do. It gave me time to take a closer look around, scanning each room, closet or corner of the garage. No room here, no more room there. Enter the first D, declutter. Do I really need all this ‘stuff’?  How many white button-down collared shirts do I need, especially since I am retired? How many pairs of shoes? Are 6 suits too many to have at my age?

   But look around the room. It is not just clothes and shoes. Its furniture, pictures, books, mementos from trips and travel. It’s the little things that clutter. And chairs. How many chairs do I really need, especially when I can only sit in one at a time?

  But perhaps as I am getting older and with the children now out on their own, it is not only time to declutter but to give serious thought about downsizing. Do I really need a house with three or four bedrooms and a large yard? Would it make sense to have everything on one floor, including the bathroom and the washer and dryer? How much longer am I really going to be able to navigate the stairs?

   Downsizing, the second D, has become extremely popular these days, thanks to real estate agents and the HGTV television shows. But finding a one-story home can be a real challenge. But at least with my current decluttering frenzy underway, should I find a place, I will have less to pack up, I hope.

   The third D is almost as challenging as the other two. What to do with all this ‘stuff’ I do not need, use and have decided to part with. I just cannot bring myself to take it to the local landfill.

  Over the past few months, we have encouraged the children and grandchildren to come walk thought the house and pick out or label those things they would like to have, items filled with family memories and alike. A few pictures, a book or two, a couple of photo albums and…. that was about it. They tell me they are doing their own decluttering.

    Currently my garage is divided into two sections. Section 1 are items I want to keep even though I have currently put them in the category of ‘decluttered’. Section 2 are those items to donate to a good cause. There are some things I might take to the local auction or for a yard sale. But more likely, I would really like to donate much of what is there, just give it away to someone who might need it or use it or most important, like it.

  It is amazing the things we accumulate over the years, for whatever the reason but often become blind to. But there is a time when it makes some sense to give serious thought about what to keep and what to give away. As my father once said, “You can’t take it with you.” He was right, although he did not necessarily practice what he preached in this case. I ended up with most what he had.