By Founder, Elizabeth Hirsh
Recently, I had the pleasure of tuning into Aging Well Together – Episode 71: Decluttering and The Psychology of Letting Go, hosted by Heather and Alicia on WCOM 103.5 FM. This conversation struck a chord because it explored the very real and emotional challenges of downsizing, organizing, and letting go of possessions. This is something we see so often in our work at The Downsizers.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
We focused on several essential elements of the psychology of letting go, including:
Guilt and Obligation – The pressure many people feel to keep items because they belonged to a loved one, or because they were gifts, even when those items no longer serve them.
Sustainability – The importance of re-homing or donating items responsibly, and how this can make the letting-go process feel more meaningful, but can also cause people to get "stuck" when the home is "not quite right."
Spatial Reasoning – How the physical realities of a new living environment often require us to rethink what we truly need.
Hoarding Tendencies – The spectrum of difficulty people face when parting with items, and how underlying emotions and habits can complicate decluttering.
A Personal and Authentic Conversation
What made this episode stand out was its authenticity. Both Heather and Alicia have worked in the senior space for many years, and they weren’t afraid to share their own family stories. They spoke candidly about how even as professionals in this field, they have faced the same emotional hurdles when helping loved ones through downsizing or estate liquidation.
This openness reminded me how universal these challenges are, whether we’re helping a parent move into a smaller home, or sorting through decades of keepsakes ourselves.
Why This Episode Resonates
What I loved most about this radio show is that it went beyond the logistics of decluttering. It was about the emotional journey, how people of all ages process the experience of letting go, how we talk about it, and how important it is to acknowledge those feelings.
By normalizing the emotional side of downsizing, Heather and Alicia remind us that we’re not alone in this process. Letting go isn’t just about making space in our homes, it’s about creating space for the next chapter of our lives.
