I know that liberating feeling very well. We've been moving house quite often here in Australia and I do a major cleanout every time. I consider myself a conscious and rather stingy consumer and yet, I'm always surprised how much stuff has collected (although it's become much less since the kids left home).

I had a similar epiphany as you when my grandfather died. I was about 20 I think. He was a hoarder (albeit an organised one) and I'll never forget how stressed my mum was when she had to clear out his apartment. I knew right there that I would NEVER live like that (or do that to my children). Unfortunately, my mum who is in her 80s now, is not much better. She keeps saying she needs to clean out the household but she never does, and now she's getting quite frail. So I expect a big job ahead but there are three of us so it won't be so bad.

I love donating things I don't need anymore to charity stores, and often it's just returning the things I bought from there earlier. I'm a bit of an op (=opportunity) shop addict, finding lots of treasure in those stores, and we have many great ones here in Cairns. I also buy almost my entire wardrobe there, and bring it back. I like the thought of other people using and loving my things after me. It's my way of recycling and giving to charity. And yes, I also love the feeling of removing unnecessary clutter.

I'm glad you found out too :)