If that's the way you feel then don't get rid of them ... or keep the ones that mean the most.

I'm with natal. If your furniture elicitis such a strong emotional reaction, don't let go of it just yet. Maybe down the road when the loss of your dream isn't so fresh (at least that's what I'm sensing) those pieces will be easier to part with.

What you're feeling is quite normal, imo, but the "who am I now" maybe is right around the corner, new challenges that you're open to.

Letting go of material things can be quite liberating after it's done, even if it's hard to sort through it, since the memories resurface; embrace the moment and cry. Sell tomorrow and rejoice, lol.....

Not sure how old you are but about 20 years ago I gave away some great flea market/garage sale/antique store finds simply because I *knew* I'd never live in a larger house and have room for them.

20 years later I could kick myself because I have plenty of room now with the new addition and remodeling.

Waahhh! lol Seriously, keep some pieces that are speicial because one day you may decide you can use them afterall!

Take big deep breaths, pour a glass of wine and grab some chocolate. Look, drink and eat ...

Then simply allow yourself some time to remember, rejoice, grieve .... and if you want ... take some photographs of the stuff.

Now -- take another good deep breath, gather your courage, and let it go ... to bless someone's else home and life.

Remember -- when you give -- then there's fresh room to breathe and receive ...

I know exactly how you feel. I retired last year and planned to have a yard sale this fall to clean out things I had accumulated over the years and were just sitting in the barn. Well, I just couldn't bring myself to do it yet. Maybe next year I'll be ready to part with them, but for now there's still room for them. Sometimes I just enjoy looking at them and remembering. Maybe I'll try the photograph idea.

Thank you all so much for your input and thoughts - each one validates my mixed up feelings.

natal and mrsmarv I've been 'planning' a sale for a long time and each summer the time has slipped away, it didn't get done, another year passes. It's time to let go of the surplus but there are a few items that will hang back at least for now.

This is feeling like my 2nd go round with a mid life crisis! Isn't one enough, LOL?? There may still be a cottage in my future - who knows? - but it won't be with my young boys, creating a place they'll want to return to someday with their kids. That's not a new loss, though since my youngest is now 21.

oakley I've had those "dang - shouldn't have sold that!" regrets before! I've sold things at previous garage sales that would be the perfect little table in *that* corner..... but I hunt and find something else so the regrets don't last long.

cyn *technically* I still have room, too, but this is a psychological crowding that needs breathing room. I like the photograph idea, too. I can have a folder on my computer labeled Furniture and Stuff I Have Loved!!!

mitchdesi and Jan you hit the nail on the head - I need to let go and make room for whatever is waiting in the wings. *Stuff* has been holding me back. And it's fun to price things well, watch people get something they love and walk away happy.

Onward - 8 days and counting!

I saw on a declutering show once where the hoarder, and I am not saying you are a hoarder, couldn't emotionally part with anything. The professional organizer took pics of everything, including each and every item of clothing. That seemed to satify the person.

Years ago I was given some Art Deco pieces that I loved in house #1. When I moved into house 2 after meeting current hubby, I brought it with me; but eventually we ran out of room & i got rid of the pieces. I tried selling them; no one would buy them so I donated it to a Childrens Home & I bet they got some cash for it.

I would love to have the pieces for this house. I can see the hutch in my foyer or even the server. They don';t make pieces like that any more & if I did find it, I'd be paying a mint for it.

nope normal! you had dreams and plans for the furniture that didnt come to fruition. And even if you get a cottage later- it is not the way you dreamed of it.
so I think I have felt that sort of regret- I call it the shoulda woulda coulda's.
Gather your items and sleep on it. there may be an item or two that got thrown in the sell pile in the heat of the clean out mode. I have changed my mind on things I was selling at a yard sale- not all of it- but a few things now and again.

IMO, if the stuff is stored in the attic it's not taking up valuable real estate. I think of those movies where someone goes up into the attic and discovers all sorts of treasures. That could be your kids someday.

Exactly....your passing along nice things to others who will love them!

Natal, that's an excellent point! When I watch movies when kids go up to an attic and find all those treasures, I wish that was MY attic!

Or the kids go up and throw out everything through the window at the far end and into the dumpster. That is what we did with almost everything in my parents' huge attic and the cedar closet. The really good stuff was down in the house and we didn't have time to get someone in to price the things we weren't taking and sell them at an estate sale or auction, so out it went. I am determined not to leave that much stuff for my son to clear out. Of course, my house is half the size, so there isn't so much space, but I do find it liberating to sift through things periodically and purge. Regrets about what we tossed? A few minor ones, but we did what we had to do at the time.

When my mom passed I thought the only things I wanted were her old pots & pans. I changed my mind when it came time to empty the house. Since we lived at a distance I was limited in what I could take, but managed a couple small pieces of furniture along with a few boxes of stuff. My brother & sister didn't want anything, so the rest was given to relatives or donated to charity.

There will be plenty that remains for my boys but they won't find it in this attic - won't be staying in this house through our 'golden years' since the taxes are killing us now. My mom passed some things our way when my parents did their first downsize, then again when they went into a condo. When my dad did the retirement apt thing even more came my way and the balance when he passed away. We'll probably farm things out piecemeal, too..... if my kids are interested. For sure I'm keeping their vintage beds with the hope that one day they'll each have a child using them.

natal and newdawn - you'd LOVE my attic - it's the kind of attic I hunt for in estate sales. But the reality is, it's not the best storage for anything do to the temp & humidity extremes in Chicago and furniture really takes a beating.