What to Do When Your Parent Has to Let Go of a Lifetime of Stuff - How to help your parent downsize without overwhelm or guilt #167

This one’s personal. And if it hasn’t happened in your family yet—it will. One day, you might be the one helping your parent declutter decades of memories. Not just stuff... but the life they built around it. What do you say when they want to keep everything? How do you stay calm when emotions are high and time is tight? In this episode, I’m talking about something we rarely plan for—but it affects every family at some point. Whether your parent is moving to a smaller home, into care, or just facing the reality of needing less... the emotional and physical weight of that clutter is real. And so is the overwhelm . But there’s a better way to do it. With compassion. With clarity. And without chaos. I’ll walk you through intentional strategies , smart mindset shifts, and the simple organizing approach I’ve used (yes, even with clients going through this exact scenario) that combines KonMari-inspired tidying with real-life flexibility. This isn’t about doing it perfectly. It’s about making progress—with love. If you’ve been dreading this conversation or avoiding the boxes in the attic, this episode is for you. If your parent is still in good health, even better— now is the time to start gently and intentionally . Inside, I’ll share: ✔️ How to approach the process without triggering resistance ✔️ Why this moment brings up so much for both of you ✔️ What really matters when it comes to home organization at this stage of life You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to do it all at once. Tune in now and get the support you need to declutter with care. Let’s make this part of your family’s story one of grace—not guilt. Thanks for listening! For more organizational motivation, support and free resources: Join my online membership Clutter Free Collective Join my podcast Facebook group Living Clutter Free Forever Podcast: KonMari® Inspired Organizing | Facebook Visit my website www.caroline-thor.com Come and say 'hi' on Instagram @caro.thor Follow me on Facebook @carolineorganizer