Decluttering Tips and Support

Dear Reader,

Have you ever heard of the Great Stuff Transfer?

It's when Boomer parents try to give their stuff (mostly furniture, housewares, heirlooms, etc.) to their children who either don't have the room for the items or don't want them.

Perhaps you've experienced a variation of this, where you're given boxes of items from your childhood that your parents were holding onto for years. I was given all my report cards since kindergarten. :)

It seems that while the Boomer generation has more of an attachment to stuff, younger generations (Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha) have skewed more towards experiences. This can cause friction, especially when younger generations receive gifts from their parents or grandparents.

On the Podcast

This week's podcast episode focuses on one key question: what do you do about loved ones who make you feel guilty when you let go of gifts you don't want?

Kristen Marie

“I don’t even know why I bother” #comedyskit #momsoftiktok #millennialsoftiktok

♬ original sound - Kristen Marie

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A newsletter subscriber shared a story about her 80 year old mother who was upset when her 14 year old son didn't want to keep a gift he had received.
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​Episode 233 dives into my advice - here's a few highlights:
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​1. Understand the generational differences as well as individual personality differences that may cause the person to think differently about gifts. Remember that Boomers' parents most likely grew up during the Depression, and this impacted how Boomers were raised. They may be more likely to hold onto things because of their perceived utility, or for sentimental value. Also, individuals may have a higher propensity to hang onto things because of how they were shaped by their life circumstances. Recognizing this can help us be more empathetic towards our family member.
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​2. Always start with gratitude and appreciation. The gift recipient can take a picture of the gift, or even better, one of them holding the gift, and send the photo to the gift giver. If the question comes up about where the gift is down the road, the recipient can have a loving conversation about how they keep items that they use and that they have the capacity to manage, and that gift wasn't aligned with those two things. If you're able to donate the gift to another family member who wants it, it's a way to soften the blow by "keeping it in the family". But only if they TRULY want it!
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​3. If the person is still upset, ask them whether they've kept every gift they ever received. Ask them to remember a gift they received as a child. Do they still have the gift? Have they kept every gift they ever received? Most likely no, or else their house would be full of hundreds, if not thousands of gifts. Sometimes this puts it in perspective for the gift-giver.
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For more tips, listen to Episode 233 on your favorite podcast player or watch on YouTube!
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Things I'm Loving Right Now

✨ My decluttering/organizing tool of the week is the library! We are planning a move from Virginia to Pennsylvania this summer and I've never been more grateful for library books so we don't have to pack a ton of books and move them! I LOVE the Libby app and read e-books extensively on my phone or Kindle. Do you struggle with holding onto a ton of books? Be on the lookout for an upcoming episode all about decluttering books!

✨ My decluttering/organizing resource of the week is my friend Sarah Horgan's new course all about decluttering sentimental items. And don't forget I also have a free decluttering sentimental items worksheet!​

✨ My favorite recipe of the week is this cheesy cottage pie - comfort food at its finest!
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What are some things you're loving right now? Hit reply and let me know.

On the journey with you,

Emily

P.S. Skipped to the end? No problem! This week I spoke about what to do with gifts we don't want from loved ones who guilt us into keeping them.

​*Note- affiliate links may be included, which means I get a small commission if you use my link - thanks!​