Is decluttering part of empty nest?

[TNDemo]

Our last one leaves for college next week and for the last couple of weeks I have been ruthless in getting rid of clutter and hauling truckloads to Goodwill. I kinda feel like it is the first time in 29 years that we have not had a kid in the house and the house is really mine or something (though their stuff is here but quarantined). Is this normal for empty nest syndrome? Or am I just being bit by a decluttering bug?

[GoldenOldie]

1. I'm still trying 25-years later!

My youngest and her family keep returning home for their annual school breaks (both are teachers working at International schools in Europe). While working abroad, they rent out their 2,000 sq ft home and eventually (?) plan on returning and setting up house with all the wonderful artifacts and "stuff," they have collected during their 9-year stint. We have become the storehouse for not only their treasures but now their daughter/my 18-year old granddaughter who will be attending college in NYC within 2-weeks.

Know the old saying, "your treasures can just be trash to others," or whatever! Things to consider: changing your address leaving no forwarding address. I love them dearly, but the treasures of 1 has increased to treasures of 3. It's like a fungus that is uncontrolled.

[gmoney]

2. I think it's very normal

it's good for a fresh start to this new phase in your life, where it's YOUR house.

There have been a lot of books lately on how clutter can mess with your mental health and such, so getting back to the essentials will feel good, give you a sense of accomplishment, and put all that stuff back into circulation where it might do someone else some good!

It might help appease all the concern trolls who are SO worried that the nation will face a critical shortage of junk cars due to CARS.

Be sure to get receipts for tax purposes!

[seemunkee]

3. Our daugher is leaving later this month

She'll be moving into her first apartment but right now she has junk staged in a couple of rooms. Have to wait for her to leave before we can declutter.

[quakerboy]

4. My impression is that it normally

goes the other way. The "emptyness" is filled.

I say good on you, no matter what the reason.