Sunday in the basement

I hear people talking about clearing out possessions from their homes of 40 years, 60 years, etc. We're trying to go through accumulations of 20 years in our home, and it's mind boggling. The task has brought to mind several thoughts I've read or heard, and a few I've figured out myself. If you haven't used it in ____ years, you probably don't need it. A given item may be important to my Mother/my husband,etc., but it's no longer important to me. The more stuff you have, the more stressed your life (I believe that one!). i'm realizing that when my Grandmother died years ago, others took the "prime" wonderful objects, and I was left with the discards (unfinished pieces of crochet, flawed ceramic items....). I'm no longer going to feel guilty if I get rid of those items - I can remember her other ways. The time is rewarding, thought provoking, tiring.....winter is a nice time to do it!