The only real decluttering this week happened in our bar area, where I had been holding on to some truly ancient booze. A half bottle of bourbon my mother used to drink—she passed away seven years ago and stopped drinking five years before that. A half bottle of a brand of scotch my uncle used to drink—he passed away fifteen years ago, also long before he stopped drinking. Along with those went at least a dozen other half bottles—Grand Marnier, crème de menthe, Cointreau—things we don’t drink and don’t serve anymore. Down the sink they went.

Then I found five unopened bottles I knew we’d never use and thought of a friend who’s a home bartender. Entertaining at his place is always a treat—he’s constantly creating elegant concoctions, something we just don’t do. I texted to see if he was home. He said yes. I replied, “I’ll be right over.” Before he could ask What the…? I was already on my way. He was thrilled. A win for both of us. He’ll use it, and now my bar shelf holds only a few bottles we actually enjoy and serve.

In the living room, the cabinets—all nine of them—after all my decluttering, for the most part hold things we actually use. Two are empty. One holds my dad’s WWII memorabilia, one is filled with fine china, another with candles, one with vases, two hold minimal fall and spring décor, and one holds our family photos. The china, candles, and vases cabinets get opened often; the seasonal ones just once a year. And the photo cabinet? Since I organized our photos four years ago—a truly monumental job—do you want to know how many times I’ve opened it? Exactly zero.

That surprises me. After all that winnowing and categorizing, I assumed I’d pull out a box every month or so and wander down memory lane. It hasn’t happened. I’m not sure what that says about me, but I'll be keeping them anyway, of course! I have the space, they’re well organized, and they don’t nag at me just by existing. When the day comes that I do want to revisit those memories, I’ll be glad they’re right there, waiting. Mostly, though, I’m simply glad the organizing is behind me—and I’m not even entertaining the idea of digitizing them. I’d need another lifetime for that.