I'm 81 and decluttering my house, so that my kids don't have to deal with the mess when I die. It's a strange but important task.

"I love my Edison phonograph, my antique wall phone, and my grandmother's quilts. I have two sets of china and enough table linens to serve royalty. My husband and I are the repository of the older generations. Our kids explicitly told us they don't want any of our stuff. They tell me young people don't use elaborate china patterns; they don't cover anything with handmade lace doilies; they don't care that the rocking chair belonged to Great Grandpa."

"Now that I'm 81. I know it's time to face the truth: If I don't declutter my house now, my kids will have to face the larger task after our deaths. As I get older, I know I need to clear out my house. My husband and I have made a 2,500-square-foot, four-bedroom house a home. We have no plans to leave anytime soon. We love our home surrounded by acres of trees and wildlife. We hope to stay here for a long time."

An 81-year-old homeowner is actively decluttering to prevent children from inheriting the task after deaths. She enjoys giving away household items but faces difficulty with a large book collection and treasured antiques. The home contains an Edison phonograph, an antique wall phone, grandmother's quilts, two sets of china, and abundant linens collected over decades. Children explicitly say they do not want heirlooms or elaborate household items. The couple sorts attic boxes together when the kids visit. The homeowner recognizes that objects hold memories but concludes memories can be preserved without keeping every object and feels happier with fewer possessions.

Read at Business Insider