A Good Box is Hard to Find… and Harder to Let Go

A good box — if you’re a baby boomer like me, you know exactly what I mean. Not just any box — the kind that’s sturdy, perfectly shaped, and practically begging to be reused for… well, something. My latest treasure? The box my new Mac Mini came in. It’s been sitting proudly on my desk for weeks now, taunting me with its flawless corners and smug, Apple-logo confidence. I know I should recycle it, but goodness, you could stand on this thing. It’s a good box!

📦 Why Can’t We Let Go of a Good Box?

Why are we like this? I’ve wondered if it’s in our DNA, passed down from parents who lived through the Great Depression or at least grew up in homes where “waste not, want not” wasn’t just a saying — it was survival. A good box isn’t just cardboard; it’s potential. It could store Christmas ornaments, protect fragile keepsakes, or become the perfect container for that thing you don’t yet own but might someday. There’s comfort in knowing it’s there, ready to serve its mysterious future purpose. Throwing it away feels almost… irresponsible.

How many times have you been to baby showers or Christmas gatherings and watched your children and grandchildren tear into their gifts, then wad up all the wrappings, ribbons, and paper into a big garbage sack? I mean, some of those boxes they used to wrap gifts were purchased! It’s like watching perfectly good leftovers go straight into the trash. Sometimes I can’t help myself — I’ll pull a couple of the good ones from the pile, just in case I have a need for them later. You know how it is.

Practicing What I Preach… Sort Of

So here I am — an advocate for downsizing and decluttering — with a good box sitting proudly on my desk. I decided to take a peek in my closet, just to see what might be lurking there. Mercy! An iPad box, a watch box, a Magic Keyboard box, and two iPhone boxes. I’d been saving them in case one of my devices ever had to be sent back… which, of course, they never did. Since I’m planning to write an eBook about downsizing and decluttering for seniors, I have no choice but to practice what I preach. These beautiful good boxes are going in the trash. I once thought I might use them to wrap Christmas presents, but can you imagine the disappointment on a teenager’s face when they rip the paper off a MacBook box… and find a shirt? Even I’m not that cruel.

👋 Letting Go — of Clutter and Good Boxes

Stay tuned for my upcoming eBook — I’m hard at work on it! Whether you’re downsizing and moving from one home to another, or simply tackling clutter where you are, decluttering is something we as seniors must do to keep our homes as safe and fall-proof as possible. We’ve collected a lot of “stuff” through the years… along with plenty of good boxes. And now is the time to start letting some of it go. It’s not easy, but with support, encouragement, and a good plan, it can be done. If you have any great tips from your own experiences with downsizing and decluttering, share them in the comments — I’d love to learn from you!

Fall Prevention in The Elderly – High Risk for Falls?