A woman on Mumsnet says she’s suddenly driven by a strong urge to clear out her home — not for her own comfort, but to spare her grown children the stress of doing it one day after she’s gone.
In her post, titled “Massive decluttering of house — what’s wrong with me?” she explained that a decade ago she had to clean out a close relative’s home after they died. The experience stayed with her.
“It took months,” she wrote. “I then began decluttering my own home so that our children didn’t have this burden. They are all adults and have their own families.”
Recently, she picked the project back up — this time focusing on larger items she no longer uses. “I have got this feeling that I must do this, and every time something has been collected […] I feel so much better.”
Her husband, meanwhile, has voiced concern. He joked that he’s “a little worried” he’ll come home to find the sofa missing.
The woman noted she’s “not yet 60” but experienced a health scare earlier this year — which may be fueling her determination. She asked the community whether anyone else has “been through this?”
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Supportive Responses
Many commenters reassured her that it makes sense to want to lighten the load for children later in life.
“I’m like this,” one person said, adding that a health scare left them reconsidering what they keep. “I feel relief when unused stuff gets sold or donated… I’ve stopped buying things I don’t need.”
Another commenter shared their personal experience: “My mom passed this year… When she was diagnosed, my parents did this… I know when the time comes, it’ll be a much easier sort out.”
Not Everyone Thinks It’s Necessary
Some users felt she may be getting ahead of herself.
“Bloody hell, you’re not even 60! Calm down!” one commenter teased, suggesting that estate planning — like organizing legal documents — may be more practical than removing perfectly useful items.
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Others pointed out that sorting through a loved one’s belongings can be meaningful, not just stressful.
“Just remember the stuff you get rid of is part of you,” one person wrote. “Some of us see it as getting to know the person all over again… so don’t do this for anyone other than yourself.”
