I just moved in with my parents (in their 70’s) to help with my dad’s declining physical and cognitive health. I have lived across the country from them for years, only getting to see them for a week at a time once or twice a year.

There was always “some stuff”. Never gross, never messy, just a little clutter here and there. In the last few years, it has spiraled and now there is so much stuff.

They have a pretty large house, but it’s full. I have a moving truck coming in a few days and no idea where my stuff is going to go. Every time I look at their storage areas, I want to vomit from anxiety. My mom and I managed to clean out half of one closet in one bedroom today. My dad insists we need to keep the 200 issues of National Geographic and 30 years worth of his professional development papers.

I’m going to cry.