Oh yes, we have a large library...guess that's one of the main reasons we don't move...lol.When we moved from Cal to Fl I got rid of so much. The only thing I regret is giving up my books...I told myself I should have ebooks or audiobooks. Now I am in the process of going to second sale or thrift books and buying some back.. especially the old self help books, philosophy, psychology, religions of the world..I miss having them since I have collected them for 50 years. ..There is just something about holding a book that is special.
Other than that I keep in mind my daughter will be stuck with whatever I do not get rid of and that helps me go through and eliminate things
Our changing thoughts on possessions
- Thread starter bowmore
- Start date
MarciKS
Dust Bunny Whisperer
Well I'll be damned if I'm throwing out my retirement plans. LOL
JonDouglas
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
When we downsized in 2019, we went from 8 rooms with furniture and a large basement shop down to essentially 4 rooms with a small basement shop. It was easy getting rid of most of the upstairs stuff. Downsizing the shop was the most difficult. Below is a picture of about 2/3 of the shop even after we'd sold off some of the major power tools, (i.e. a long bed jointer, a planer, shaper and ornamental milling lathe).
Most difficult was parting with my main lathe (not shown) that I used to turn segmented works.
Most difficult was parting with my main lathe (not shown) that I used to turn segmented works.
We're talking serious man cave hereWhen we downsized in 2019, we went from 8 rooms with furniture and a large basement shop down to essentially 4 rooms with a small basement shop. It was easy getting rid of most of the upstairs stuff. Downsizing the shop was the most difficult. Below is a picture of about 2/3 of the shop even after we'd sold off some of the major power tools, (i.e. a long bed jointer, a planer, shaper and ornamental milling lathe).
Most difficult was parting with my main lathe (not shown) that I used to turn segmented works.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
Looks like my huzz's shop, sigh. And he keeps buying more stuff for it, usually shelving rather than tools but still. Thing is, he doesn't even use most of the tools; he's usually out there texting somebody or playing solitaire on his phone. But he's just gotta have that shop.When we downsized in 2019, we went from 8 rooms with furniture and a large basement shop down to essentially 4 rooms with a small basement shop. It was easy getting rid of most of the upstairs stuff. Downsizing the shop was the most difficult. Below is a picture of about 2/3 of the shop even after we'd sold off some of the major power tools, (i.e. a long bed jointer, a planer, shaper and ornamental milling lathe).
Most difficult was parting with my main lathe (not shown) that I used to turn segmented works.
JonDouglas
Senior Member
- Location
- New England
A lot of stuff came out of that shop - furniture, cabinets, replica spinning wheels and a ton of segmented art work and bowls. As I slowed down, so did the output, which led to selling most of it and downsizing. I did keep the unisaw, chop saw, drill press and sanding station and about half the hand tools. I do understand your huzz, though. Guys get a lot of comfort being around tools because, you never know, something might come up where you need one.
officerripley
Well-known Member
- Location
- Porlock, Calif
I shouldn't because it won't go anywhere, but I get comfort from looking at places we could downsize to on the realty sites. I really should stop it because daydreaming--especially at this age, sigh--doesn't do a bit of good.A lot of stuff came out of that shop - furniture, cabinets, replica spinning wheels and a ton of segmented art work and bowls. As I slowed down, so did the output, which led to selling most of it and downsizing. I did keep the unisaw, chop saw, drill press and sanding station and about half the hand tools. I do understand your huzz, though. Guys get a lot of comfort being around tools because, you never know, something might come up where you need one.
Elsie
Senior Member
After going through the emotional pain of clearing out all the belongings, etc., of my mother's after she died, and then 6 years later my stepfather's, (emptying the house) I began to bit by bit go through all items in my own at home. Things I had/have that I never use, nor would my children, and so I got rid of them. I wanted to save my children from as much emotional stress as possible when clearing out my things when I pass on. Groan...there were over a 100 jars of canned food in my stepfater's home basement that he didn't want; tried once to get rid of. I was told about the jars, but I wasn't told there were many, so I, using the one wooden box I had brought with me that fit 6 quart jars at a time, ended up carrying 6 at a time up the basement stairs, to the kitchen, down the outside porch stairs and into the garage and then back for more. Around the 12th trip, I snapped out of what must have been a tired daze because I "woke" up to find myself in the kitchen and wondering how I got there. I pity the relatives who must go through dealing with all the decisions of what should be done with the belongings of a passed on loved one.
It's so hard to throw stuff away, my mom the year before she died hired a woman to help her go through all the boxes in the garage, and they threw away maybe half. I'm glad my mom got to go thru all her stuff and probably relive a bunch of memories. But, even tho I march out to the garage determined to toss stuff, I get all sentimental and close the boxes back up.
Many of us including me have issue letting stuff go. If your 'throw away' means trash them you might consider donating/giving if they are still usable/functional. It would make you feel better that your unwanted stuff is put to good use. Here are some items I got from those who no longer wanted them.
Unarranged artificial flowers in boxes. I purchased $1/vase and arranged them
37 inch LCD TV and paintings
Unarranged artificial flowers in boxes. I purchased $1/vase and arranged them
37 inch LCD TV and paintings
Wow...looks great cookiei!
Thanks. Since I couldn't use all the fabrics I passed them on to others. I also gave away a laptop, tablet and desktop. It felt great they no longer collect dust in my house and I have extra space in the closet.
tbeltrans
Senior Member
It is too bad that we didn't have at least some of the technology that we have today when I was in my 20s and 30s. I moved around a lot, and it would have been much nicer to have all my books on a Kindle, all my music on a smart phone, and a laptop for everything else I might need. I think a duffle bag would have held most everything I needed to take with me except a guitar.
Now, I have all that, but also 30+ years of acquiring stuff that I need to get rid of so whomever is left when my wife and I are gone, won't have to get rid of it all.
Tony
Now, I have all that, but also 30+ years of acquiring stuff that I need to get rid of so whomever is left when my wife and I are gone, won't have to get rid of it all.
Tony