I’m recycling, repurposing and throwing away a lifetime’s worth of objects I no longer need or can store. It’s an incredibly difficult process.

I’m preparing to move from the current house in Argyle to an apartment in Monroe. It’s a move that’s been necessary since my son went to college two years ago. Derek is very independent and has established himself not only in college in Whitewater, but in the local community. He has a full-time course load, a part-time local job and he’s in the Army Reserves. I get to see him about once every month. He lives in Whitewater during the summer as well, but I’ve always planned to keep a bedroom for him wherever I live, so I’m getting a two-bedroom apartment in Monroe.

I had procured the big house in Argyle back in 2017 when I had thought my whole family was going to be living with me here. That just happened and after a couple years of living in the big house, I’ve found myself overwhelmed by its size, maintenance requirements and utility bills. It’s a great house –— for a family of six.

I had lived with Derek in an apartment on 16th Street the first year we were in Monroe. I found that really convenient. There was a new landlord for the property at the time who was helpful. The only reason I chose to move to a bigger house in Argyle was to provide space for the family. In preparing for everyone to move to Green County, many possessions came to Argyle. My wife and I had merged two households when we married in 2015. My mom passed away in 2016 and my dad went into assisted living, so some of the possessions they had also came to Argyle. I’ve basically been living with possessions from three households. Now this volume of items is getting squished down into just enough to furnish a two-bedroom apartment.

I refuse to cram the apartment with items. I’ve spent time studying the benefits of minimalism and how it can help provide stress relief. Minimalism and a bit of exercise a day can go a long way toward clearing literal and figurative cobwebs from one’s mind.

While tackling the monumental task of downsizing I’ve discovered there are some items, that although they have a great deal of sentimental value, have to go. I kept everything Derek ever was recognized for during his life as a little person. I’ve got every piece of paper that said he had perfect attendance for a month in kindergarten or was the social studies student of the month in sixth grade. Derek was heavily active in Boy Scouts, wrestling and football. He’s already taken most of what he wants to keep with him to Whitewater. I can’t save every Pinewood Derby Trophy, wrestling medal or art project.

Although my son is at a place in his life where he’s just starting, I’m at a place where I need to unload. And I’ve got a lot to shed.

For example, I enjoy collecting rocks. If I’m out hunting in the woods and stumble across an inspiring 40-pound piece of granite, it may go home with me. The collection will have to be reduced by about 90 percent.

Similarly, I’ve been many sizes in my life and thus have a wardrobe that reflects swings of 30 pounds either way from normal. I have a lot of clothes in totes marked with labels like, “Matt’s skinny summer clothes,” or “Matt’s big fall jackets.” How many jackets, or hats, does a guy need? Realistically, I need two jackets and two winter coats.

Don’t get me started on hoodies…

I’ve collected a lot of odd things over the years — from Star Trek models to American Indian arrowheads. Much of the valuable things (and I’m not talking a great deal of money), I’ll keep. Some of the goofy stuff, such as my Star Wars Dark Maul mask, will have to go.

One thing I’m doing is saving photos with the intent that I will sort through them eventually. I have family photos from the 1800s tucked away and I don’t want to lose those.

Things that will go include a considerable amount of my sports memorabilia, artwork, ancient footwear, outdated ties, old tools, fishing gear and furniture.

Items that are in good shape can be recycled through St. Vincent de Paul’s or another outlet. I want to beware of making commitments to sell items, because that’s easier said than done. People don’t find things you hold dear to have the same monetary value you place on them.

As I cleaned out a closet on Saturday, I found myself holding one of Derek’s remaining stuffed animals that I had kept in a box for 13 years. He loved that teddy bear and I remembered its name, who gave it to him and specific memories of him with it. Yet, it’s too worn to be recycled. It means something now only to me.

It hovered quite a while over the trash bin before I let go. Even at this moment I want to go back through that bin and pull it out.

— Matt Johnson is publisher of the Monroe Times. His column is published Wednesdays.