Are you ready for some football? I’m ready for the super commercials and halftime shenanigans. More than that, I’m anxiously waiting to watch the episode of ” This is Us” running after the game.

‘This is Us’ Spoiler Alert

If you are not caught up with the show and have successfully avoided all the commentary about the last episode that aired where we finally all find out how Jack dies, stop reading now. For those who are caught up, throw out any old, funky small appliances because as we found out, it is death by crock-pot that starts a house fire.

This upcoming episode will be gut wrenching to watch for obvious reasons. Our homes are filled with a lifetime of accumulation. All of that stuff represents our memories and experiences. It is what makes us who we are. But it is just stuff. Some items are easy to discard while others unlock the past.

Letting go

As part of my ongoing mission organization, I started going through boxes of papers going as far back as 20 years. That box of old bills, checks, greeting cards and photos became a time capsule that ripped my heart out.

When moving or downsizing, decide what to keep and what to purge. Condensing the important items and keepsakes into a smaller, manageable, moveable box is better than having the clutter eating up the equity of your home.
Am I moving? No. But I am getting my house ready for when it is time and falling back in love with it in the process. Over the years in the staging business, I’ve watched clients transform their house into the home they should have been living in only to move out once it sells. Moving is stressful and emotional enough. That is not the time to go through all the stuff but most people wait till they are forced to because it is time consuming and emotional. We get busy and time passes quickly then blink, your kids are grown and it is time to downsize.

What can we learn from the crockpot episode?

Some things are garbage. If an item is no longer working, especially old electrical appliances, throw them out. Even if they are working, are they still safe to use?

My old crockpot is officially in the garbage. I recently purchased the Instant Pot, which intimidates me. Besides cooking chicken in 4 minutes even though it is more like the time it would cook using any other method, that contraption is also a slow cooker. Why have multiple appliances that do the same thing? If an item is still working and safe and you don’t need it, donate it or pass it along but not if you have to jiggle the button to make it work.

Enjoy the game. I’ll be waiting for ‘This is Us” to start with my box of tissues. This is it!