Hey Reader,

I wanted to catch you up on life in our household—and share something new I’ve been working on that might help you too.

If you’ve been following along on social media, you know the past three months have been incredibly hard for our family. My husband’s dad passed away in August after nearly a year in hospice care. In October, we took my mother-in-law on a bucket-list trip to Maine, and shortly after, she also entered hospice. We lost her on November 3. I think I’m still a bit numb.

Writing always helps. So here I am again—sharing the raw and the real. Thank you for being a place where I can do that.

Over the past few years, my husband has honored both his parents with such deep love. From caring for his mom in her final days, to taking her on special trips, to delivering a beautiful eulogy yesterday—he’s been such a steady and faithful presence.

This man I married is a keeper. And he’s set a powerful example for our son about what it means to show up for your people. We loved helping them with projects, running errands, and bringing them to our house for visits.

I was privileged to walk this journey with Steve and his parents. My relationship with them went far beyond the role of daughter-in-law. I only ever called her “Mom,” and her absence left a huge hole in my life. As my coach reminds me: it hurts this much because the relationship mattered.

And it really did.

Several years ago, I spent more than nine months helping Steve’s parents downsize from 3,500 square feet to 1,200. I lived with them for 4–5 days at a time as we went through every drawer, closet, and room. There were 17 end tables (we kept 4) and 25 coffee mugs (the new place had room for maybe 7). It was a labor of love—filled with long days, hard conversations, and plenty of mango vodka and pineapple fried rice.

Their move to Masonic Village was a success, if I do say so myself. It was the perfect place for them. I will miss our visits. And I will miss the friends they made and their cozy two-bedroom apartment that now sits empty.

Tell me—are you walking a similar path?

Do you feel caught between raising kids and caring for aging parents?
Is your empty nest full of stuff, even though the people have moved on?
Are you helping someone else downsize—or considering a move of your own?

Whatever season you're in, one truth remains: at some point, you’ll have to deal with the stuff.

All of it.

Reader, you’re in a season of some kind. And you're also in one of the five Decluttering Seasons—each with its own rhythm, purpose, and next step.

Take the quiz to discover your Decluttering Season—and find out what support would feel good right now.

👉 Start the quiz here — it only takes two minutes, and the insights will meet you right where you are.

Until next week,

Amy

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