What Do I Do with All This Stuff? A 5-Part Series on “Embracing the Purge”
What Do I Do with All This Stuff? A 5-Part Series on “Embracing the Purge”
February 11, 2016
by Lisa Treadwell
I’m passionate about purging…no…not that kind of purging. I’m passionate about the simplicity that comes with purging the clutter. For this blog series, we’ll talk about the physical clutter and leave the mental clutter for another series, even though I believe there is a connection between the two.

Since I started specializing in Senior Real Estate in 2011, I’ve come to recognize and hone a skill I have (my husband would call it more of an annoyance than a skill) in choosing to connect deeply with the people, memories, and experiences I’ve been blessed with rather than physical stuff. I get it; not everyone has this skill and people become very connected with their stuff – my own mother is a perfect example. (Love ya, Mom);)

I’m not going to get into a psychology lesson about why people become so connected to their things. (Mainly because I’m not a psychologist and that would be off topic). But it’s a good idea to ask ourselves some tough questions about anything that gets our emotions riled up – and I’ve seen some pretty riled up emotions over people’s worldly possessions.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Out with the old, in with the new”? According to answers.com and storytellersunplugged.com, this phrase was first coined by Lee Douglas IV, of Scotland. He was mad at his mother for being a prostitute, so he threw her out of his home and brought in a young mistress.

Today, the phrase is used at the end of one year as we usher in the new year, which is fresh and full of hope and promise. For our purposes today, the phrase indicates we must clear the old in order to receive the new. That’s right; there is no room in our lives to receive when our lives are already cluttered.  I’ll give you a minute to chew on that….

Clearing the old could be anything from old furniture that (let’s face it) has way less monetary value than we think, to getting rid of the extra 12 sets of sheets we have taking up space in our linen closets.

Everyday, I see seniors, older adults, and adult children who are literally paralyzed by their stuff. It’s holding them hostage in a living situation that is simply not conducive to a full life. Or worse, the stuff is compromising their safety.


In this 5-Part Blog Series, I will share tips on moving from paralyzed and hopeless to taking action and being hopeful for a future that is brighter, safer, fun, and more fulfilling.

I hope you will take this journey with me and begin to put more value into the things you get to keep with you forever and letting go of the material things that, quite frankly, are doing you a disservice. In the weeks to come, I will fill these pages with loving tips, tricks, and tough questions to ask yourself.  Please join me and ask lots of questions. I love questions because that shows you’re interested!   

Have a Question NOW on Embracing the Purge?
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