Boomer Struggles #2

It's #MotivationMonday! The struggle of letting go is so REAL for the Boomer generation. As a Californian who knows some people affected by the fires who had held onto so many things for so long - lost it all in the fire. Having conversations with them helped me to realize that it is time to reconsider what is important and what it is time to let go of. According to several sources, the average 70-year-old will have amassed 300,000 items.

At sixty, I can think of so many things I'm holding onto that I think I need or someone will need when I'm gone. My husband and I used to watch marathon episodes of Hoarders and made rules for getting rid of clothes and shoes every year. So I am so thankful to have a mindset that if I haven't worn something in a year, it is up for donation; my closet is pretty light. However, the empty spaces in my closet are filled with boxes of books, files, and papers I think are needed. My struggle to let go of things that I've attached an emotional attachment to is the most difficult to let go of. I love seashells, and they adorn many areas of my home, but will they mean anything to those who will have to clear them from my home when I move to my heavenly home? Thinking of those who will have to clean up after me helps me to be mindful of what I keep.

As loved ones have gone to heaven and left behind their stuff, keeping something that belonged to someone we loved helps us feel a piece of them remains with us. When my grandmother died, I kept articles of clothing, jewelry, her Bible, and a beautiful charcoal sketch of her younger self from the 50s. When my dad died, I kept a single rosary, and when my husband died - I kept everything! My grandmother used to manage a ministry called the "Clothes Line," where she collected clothes for the poor. She used to say, "You made your memories in wearing them; now let someone make new memories in them." For my husband's third death anniversary, I decided to finally donate his suits to St. Vincent De Paul so another man could make memories wearing a suit that he probably couldn't afford.

It's not just things that so many cling to; it's also roles in work, ministry, and positions of power. It is so important to remain relevant in your prospective career path. I remember in the year 2008, there was a woman still using Wordperfect as I used Microsoft Word, and when the downsizing happened while I was the last hired, she was fired. Those who retire move to ministry and hold onto the roles as a last stand for being relevant and or remembered for their contributions. They don't think of a need to have a succession plan for the ministry that will allow it to grow after they are gone. They literally have a death grip on it! Others who find themselves in positions of power will limit the sphere of influence to who or what they know, stifling the growth of organizations.

Today, make a plan for clearing your clutter. Read a Marie Kondo book, watch a YouTube video, and if it's in the budget, hire an organizer. When it comes to work, embracing technology, including AI, is essential to remaining relevant in the workforce. Ministry requires prayer for what God is calling you to do. Is the message to move, stay the course, or name a successor, or is the ministry even relevant anymore? Holding a position of power is an honor and should be used to change for Good, not for power plays for stroking egos or maintaining mediocrity.

I would love to hear if this resonates for you and what next steps you will take to "let go" so you open up space to grow!