Thank you for reading. Susan, and thank you for this comment.

There's actually a lot of hard things about this process. I get it.

For me the hardest clean-out ever was giving away my kids' toys and tiny little outfits when I got too old to have more babies (and I really wanted more babies, so it hurt to admit I was done). I think once I did that--and cried over every cuddly little sleeper I gave to friends or Goodwill--any other type of clean-out just won't bother me as much anymore.

But each person will have a different reaction to what is most painful to downsize.

Even if your kids can't use things that still have use in them--someone will. This is what thrift stores and Goodwill are for. I'm a dedicated Goodwill/St. Vinnie's shopper and am always thankful for the person who donated the kitchen items or jeans that are "new to me."