Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
A Time to Acquire A Time to Divest
When I was in college, students were protesting my University’s investments in South Africa and urging them to divest. Perhaps that’s why, to me, divest has a noble ring. Acquire, on the other hand, to me smacks of the ’80s rage for mergers and acquisitions, and the greed it represented—not a good association. But as for all things, there is a season, and I have come to see that for many of my clients there are times of life that are more about acquisition, and times of life that are more about divestment.
When I was in my 20s, I was committed maintaining a minimalist lifestyle, but when I got married, in my 30s, things changed. I stopped moving every couple years and I had children; I definitely entered a period of acquisition. Nowadays, I feel like I’m in a maintenance mode. In a few years, I imagine the Legos and picture books will go, and even though these days we generally let go of as much as we acquire, my house definitely contains more than I would like.
On the other hand, many of my older clients have entered periods of divestment: They are downsizing while their children are settling down and buying houses. It’s time to send Suzy her grade-school report cards and ask Johnny if he wants Grandma’s desk in his new house. It’s so much easier to start doing this early, letting go a little at a time, rather than waiting until the house is sold and you have a month—or less—to get out after 40 years.
Remember, no matter what phase you are in, the next one is right around the corner. Just because your children are small and you are in an acquiring period—you need a crib and a bouncy seat and toys—it doesn’t mean you can give yourself permission to buy every new-fangled baby item that hits the market—or scented candles or what ever else strikes your fancy.
So consider what time of life you are in, and see if your buying habits align. If not, it might be time to divest.