Downsizing and Saying Goodbye | Charlie Campbell | TEDxDayton

[ddavidson]

We did this exact thing moving from our house of 40 years to a nearby condo 6 months ago. Charlie is right on the money with how it feels and it's a lot harder to do than you think it will be. We don't regret the move but it's an adjustment you shouldn't underestimate.

[ggstorm]

This made me cry. Sending hugs and good conversation your way

[thecreepycorner_]

This was so thoughtful and considerately worded x

[fashehc]

Unintentionally, I’m listening to this information on how to let go. I have been intrigued with tiny houses, vans for nomads, microliving, moving into a shed and yet I do nothing about it. I believe we don’t do what we know is important because we have not yet programmed ourselves to do so. Charlie gives his version on how he managed and it would be nice if he wrote that book to help those of us who cannot say goodbye.

[-bitpower]

I was a minimalist at age 15. I'm now 50 years old. I own very little items. Definitely 100 or less and everything I own I use. There's no point to have attachment to anything you have to leave this earth. You are not here to stay forever. Do not collect stuff

[jeffw]

A great feeling results from discarding 32 years of accumulated clutter in leaving our big old house. The sense of shedding the responsibility for upkeep, operating costs and taxes which are onerous in our locale is a relief. The extraction of seven figures of equity which has built is like a long term business deal that paid off. Nostalgia for family life raising children in the home and neighborhood is unavoidable but sweet. Moving from crowded, busy suburbs to the mountains up north is a liberation. Planning on another home in the south near the beach, where children and grandchildren will want to visit, is the wonderful payoff ahead.

[juliekolosso]

My husband and I are considering getting rid of the stuff, selling our house, and buying an RV in a few years when we retire. We’d like to go full time for a few years until we’re either tired of it or can’t physically do it anymore. I lost both of my parents within a year and a half and had to sort through everything and sell their house. I lived 1500 miles away and it was tough. I don’t want to put my kids through that. I’m hoping by the time we’re ready to start going through this process I will be over the sentiment of the junk I’ve accumulated over the many years.

[traceyconner]

Sad transformation. Thank you for sharing the truth

[bgbell]

A gutsy couple to start a new chapter.

[gabrielnormanpalana]

“Everything is meaningless - King Solomon

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
-Steve Jobs

[bgbell]

I really needed this video. I’m 74, need to downsize and have been ignoring or avoiding it.

[kambrose]

A sane picture of what saying goodbye can mean. And it's not hello. I think hanging on to the workshop and accordion was essential. Well done for coping with all that sadness.

[LaCroixCreative]

Wow... a Bronze Star. I decided to sell off much of my father's WWII things, including his Bronze Star, which I was told would make his uniform all the more valuable. Letting go of all of it was incredibly difficult. I have to still remind myself that these things might have belonged to my father, but they were NOT my father.

[rayjennings]

Going through that process right now. Clearing out the dross we've accumulated over 53 years of marriage and 40 years in this house. In two weeks time, I shall be holding my last Annual General Meeting at my local Scout Group that I've been associated with for 38 years and my wife and I are moving over 100 miles away so there won't really be any possibility of 'just calling in' on someone here. It's a traumatic time alright but then we remind ourselves that we have the opportunity to make new friends - which we've already started to do, in an area that isn't becoming increasingly a London suburb, i.e. through encroachment! We've earned a more relaxed life and we're going to take advantage of that.

[ddavidson]

As I age into my 70s I am finding that a big part of aging is letting go of things.

[LMae-rjqi]

Awesome presentation. I'm motivated to overhaul my garage and house this summer. I did it for my father's house after he passed, so I know I can do it for my house. De-cluttering is so liberating!

[danf]

its so hard and yet at some point we will all have to do it.. maybe several times...disassembling your life and possessions.

[scottp]

Seems like cleaning up the extra "stuff" without leaving the house might have been a better option. It's harder to get rid of things when you don't have the downsizing pressure but it might result in a richer life.

[rambleon]

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

[theskiesthelimit-qk]

I like how you and your wife decided to move into an apartment rather than resigning yourself to a retirement community. I think the goodbyes would be hard, but I'm guessing there will be a lot of hellos coming your way. 😊