DECLUTTER YOUR SPACE – AND MIND. 'Sure, we’ve been conditioned to believe that owning things is a way of showing success or security. But the truth is, the more we hold on to stuff, the more we miss out on what really matters: Spending time with the people who mean the most to us.' (Photo via Unsplash)

Let's be honest: somewhere in your house there is a drawer, a box, or an entire closet you haven’t opened since the Bush administration (whichever Bush doesn’t matter now). Inside it? Stuff. Glorious, mysterious stuff. Cables to electronics you no longer own. A candle that smells like “autumn nostalgia.” Mismatched gloves. Mismatched socks. 17 mismatched Tupperware lids. Paperclips and dull scissors we always intend to sharpen, but never do.

We hang on to a lot of cheap junk, un-used or past-its-use stuff.

Take that fancy dinnerware. It hasn't touched a table since the family reunion of 1997. If you were asked, 'Would you rather have this china or a visit with your children or grandchildren?' I'm willing to bet the china would lose every time.

There’s also “good” stuff you bought for really good reasons. Like that beautiful dinnerware set for special occasions. You used it once, then got nervous someone might break a piece. So you stored it away in its original cartons. When you first got these things, they seemed important. You were sure you were going to use them. Some were even symbols of your prosperity and success. Things you felt would make your life better. But they didn’t. They just became stuff.

After a few years, these things—while still lovely and potentially useful—weren’t nearly as valuable or important as they once seemed. Take that fancy dinnerware. It hasn’t touched a table since the family reunion of 1997. If you were asked, “Would you rather have this china or a visit with your children or grandchildren?” I’m willing to bet the china would lose every time.

So, why not sell the china and use the money to arrange a visit with your loved ones?

Now, I’m not saying to toss or sell everything you own. If that vase from your great aunt brings a smile to your face every time you look at it, keep it and keep smiling. But maybe, just maybe, it’s time to start thinking about how to de-clutter your life. Hopefully as we age, we start to realize that our most precious commodity isn’t our stuff. It isn’t a vase, a set of rare coins, or a box full of birthday cards from 1982 – it’s time. Time with family, friends, or just a good phone visit with someone you enjoy.

The stuff we hold onto isn’t what defines us; it’s the time we spend in love, laughter, and shared experiences that truly make our lives richer. Sure, we’ve been conditioned to believe that owning things is a way of showing success or security. But the truth is, the more we hold on to stuff, the more we miss out on what really matters: Spending time with the people who mean the most to us.

Perhaps it's time to sell or pass some of those items along, knowing they'll find a new home where they'll be appreciated – or simply make room for something even more valuable: time.

When was the last time you laughed until you cried with your grandchildren over a game of cards, or shared stories with old friends over coffee? Those moments are worth infinitely more than any trinket or token we could keep. And honestly, when we’re long gone, no one will remember the set of crystal glasses we bought at an estate sale. They’ll remember us — the stories we told, the moments we shared, the love we gave.

So, as you look around at the clutter you’ve accumulated over the years, maybe it’s time to ask yourself: Does this stuff bring me joy? Or would I rather spend my time with my children, grandchildren, or a dear friend? Perhaps it’s time to sell or pass some of those items along, knowing they’ll find a new home where they’ll be appreciated — or simply make room for something even more valuable: time. After all, you’ve earned the right to spend your golden years not worrying about what’s stuffed into closets and attics, but about how many more precious moments you have. The real treasures in life aren’t found in boxes or cabinets; they’re found in the hearts of those we love.

This column was originally shared in ADRC Dunn County’s Senior Hi Lites. Carl Trapani, MA, MS, LPC serves as campus Chaplain at Chippewa Manor. He has more than 50 years of pastoral service and professional counseling experience. For more information please call (715) 723-4437.