“It would be nice to live a more simple life… all I’d really need is a chair to sit in front of the wood stove on a cold day and one peg on the wall to hang my jacket” – Joseph Plasters. Dad was content with a harmonica, a walk along shady lane, and maybe a little blue grass music on Friday night. Oh, and most of all, anytime we were gathered, he would beckon us… “let’s all sit around the table and visit for awhile.”

I am my father’s daughter. I still have more than one chair and one peg on the wall but that’s the metaphorical vision. And since I’ve entered the second half of life, simplicity is even more appealing. Carl Jung described this developmental stage as a time of focus on purpose, relationships, and legacy. Priorities shift toward finding meaning beyond career and family responsibilities. Self-awareness, personal growth, and contribution to the larger community become more important.

These aspirations haven’t always been my guide. I had accumulated and collected as much as anyone, more than some. When my children were young, we had all the Beanie Babies, GI Joes, and probably every animal that could be considered a pet. I had scrapbooks, CDs, dishes, books, old college papers and more office supplies than I could have used in ten lifetimes. Then at one point a number of years ago, I discovered online auctions and oh my, I filled my house, barn, and storage shed with so many bargains. It has been quite an adventure to downsize, declutter, prioritize, and make hard decisions.

The journey continues but I’m down to a small home and tiny storage shed. And one cat. A sense of spaciousness is gradually replacing the anxieties of managing stuff. Now that I’m on the downhill side of the clutter mountain, I’m ready to walk alongside others who are making the climb. And if your good intentions are sometimes thwarted by health and aging concerns, financial limitations, or overwhelm, I have some ideas there too. Perhaps you’re helping a parent or other loved one as they’re downsizing. Or maybe you are that parent. All are welcome – join me!