Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash

I am happy to share my sincere book review of "Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash" by Vickie Dellaquila.What sets this book apart is the author's compassionate approach to the topic. She understands that letting go of possessions can be emotionally challenging and offers practical advice on how to approach the process with care and sensitivity. She provides tips on how to sort through belongings, decide what to keep or discard, and offers creative ideas on how to repurpose or donate items that hold sentimental value.Overall, "Don't Toss My Memories in the Trash" is a valuable resource for anyone who is facing the challenge of helping a loved downsize. It is a compassionate and practical guide that offers useful advice and guidance for navigating the emotional and practical aspects of this important life transition. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for support and guidance in this area.

As a professional organizer myself, I have read many organizing books and this one is my favorite one on downsizing. Dellaquilla's wealth of experience, gentle and respectful tone make this a great book to give to someone making this life transition, or someone helping a loved one to downsize. Readers are given an overview of the whole process as well as ideas for common challenges that arise. What I most appreciated was her practical and positive approach to what can easily be overwhelming. The book has been recently updated and was easy to read on my Kindle.

My favorite part of this book is that it is beautifully written from the heart. Ms. Vickie shows how to get the hard work done with a Golden Rule attitude. If you only have time to read one book on Senior Move Management, this is The One. What a gem!

Unfortunately, contrary to the subtitle "a step by step guide", this book is mostly an infomercial as to the value of hiring a professional senior move manager and/or professional organizer. These individuals come to the home and work with their clients in 2-4 hour sessions, once or twice a week for multiple weeks. Obviously, their fees would begin to add up to a substantial sum. The author provides spot-on scenarios of seniors with whom she has worked, illustrating the many common situations, objections, and stumbling blocks that are often present in the process of having to sort and downsize. Thereafter, however, there is only a cursory few sentences as to how one is able to guide the senior past these objections. She mentions that she talks with the senior at length but does not go into the details of how to conduct such discussions. Instead, as all of her clients seem to be willing to go along with her logic, she jumps ahead to the process of discarding, donating,and passing on the possessions. I bought the book not as a guide in how to sort but instead a guide as to how to get past the desire to hold onto the possessions. It left me unsatisfied.

really excellent guide for people with older parents downsizing. And for their parents as well. I didn't know there were personal organizers trainedin helping the elderly make these tough decisions. What a helpmate that would have been. We are still in the process, and will refer to this guide.I will buy it for my brothers as well. Its not just organization, its a really emotional process. One that can make you closer to your parents and help them at the same time. Instead of just being aggravated.

This book will guide you through the downsizing process, including deciding to move, sorting and organizing belongings, creating a plan for moving, and getting settled in a new home. Seniors can end up feel resentful, and helpers, related or not, can feel frustrated in the process. It’s not just about the stuff, it’s about the memories and emotions associated with the situation and the stuff. The advice in this book can help ensure a smooth transition.

For anybody who is getting older or the children of someone who should be thinking ahead.... How to wrap your mind around the fact that as a person ages some thought should be given to the accumulation of "stuff" in their lives. Also gives lists of information family members should have in case of various situations. When I worked, we had a thing called "The Mac Truck List" which basically laid out what our job would be for the person who had to cover "in case we got hit by a Mac Truck." This is an outline for an elder person's "Mac Truck List."

The book focuses on the difficulty people have of letting go of their "treasures." Vickie offers practical advice and personal experience on clients who have had to let go. She is realistic in how hard it is for some to say good-bye to possessions and encourages them to keep the memories. Ms. Dellaquila writes to both those helping people release their "treasures" and to those who are letting go. It is a quick read. For me, much of it is common sense. For others it may be the "how-to" book for reducing and downsizing.