Downsizing and Saying Goodbye | Charlie Campbell | TEDxDayton

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Published 2021-01-25
There’s so much more to saying “good-bye” than just saying “good-bye.” For Charlie, the late-stage downsizing transition from the big house to a downtown apartment brought layers of good-byes: to the past, to material things drenched in memories, to spaces to store tools and play music and enjoy a hobby of picture framing, to good neighbors and great friends. But while this sounds like a sad story, Charlie explains why it’s not. Charlie Campbell is the creator of the weekly blog, It’s Great In Dayton, www.greatdayton.com/ where he informs his 7,000 “best friends” of what’s going on in the Dayton area. Since 1972, Charlie has been living in Oakwood with his family and working in downtown Dayton. His grandfather established Miami-Jacobs College and Charlie was the third generation to “…keep things going.” During those years, Charlie was tagged, “The Mayor of Webster Station.” In the year 2000 he retired, but he never took his eye off downtown Dayton. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

All Comments (21)
  • @ddavidson5
    We did this exact thing moving from our house of 40 years to a condo nearby 6 months ago. Charlie is right on the money with how it feels and it's a lot harder to do than you think it will be. We don't regret the move but it's an adjustment you shouldn't underestimate.
  • @16-bitpower38
    I was a minimalist at age 15. I'm now 50 years old. I own very little items. Definitely 100 or less and everything I own I use. There's no point to have attachment to anything you have to leave this earth. You are not here to stay forever. Do not collect stuff
  • @ggstorm9777
    This made me cry. Sending hugs and good conversation your way
  • @kambrose1549
    A sane picture of what saying goodbye can mean. And it's not hello. I think hanging on to the workshop and accordion was essential. Well done for coping with all that sadness.
  • @fashehc
    Unintentionally, I’m listening to this information on how to let go. I have been intrigued with tiny houses, vans for nomads, microliving, moving into a shed and yet I do nothing about it. I believe we don’t do what we know is important because we have not yet programmed ourselves to do so. Charlie gives his version on how he managed and it would be nice if he wrote that book to help those of us who cannot say goodbye.
  • @juliekolosso5591
    My husband and I are considering getting rid of the stuff, selling our house, and buying an RV in a few years when we retire. We’d like to go full time for a few years until we’re either tired of it or can’t physically do it anymore. I lost both of my parents within a year and a half and had to sort through everything and sell their house. I lived 1500 miles away and it was tough. I don’t want to put my kids through that. I’m hoping by the time we’re ready to start going through this process I will be over the sentiment of the junk I’ve accumulated over the many years.
  • “Everything is meaningless - King Solomon

    Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life.

    Almost everything--all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure--these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important.
    -Steve Jobs
  • @LMae-rj9qi
    Awesome presentation. I'm motivated to overhaul my garage and house this summer. I did it for my father's house after he passed, so I know I can do it for my house. De-cluttering is so liberating!
  • @scottp740
    Seems like cleaning up the extra "stuff" without leaving the house might have been a better option. It's harder to get rid of things when you don't have the downsizing pressure but it might result in a richer life.
  • @danf4447
    its so hard and yet at some point we will all have to do it.. maybe several times...disassembling your life and possessions.
  • @bgbell3049
    I really needed this video. I’m 74, need to downsize and have been ignoring or avoiding it.
  • @LaCroixCreative
    Wow... a Bronze Star. I decided to sell off much of my father's WWII things, including his Bronze Star, which I was told would make his uniform all the more valuable. Letting go of all of it was incredibly difficult. I have to still remind myself that these things might have belonged to my father, but they were NOT my father.
  • @user-sc9lr6kz8t
    I like how you and your wife decided to move into an apartment rather than resigning yourself to a retirement community. I think the goodbyes would be hard, but I'm guessing there will be a lot of hellos coming your way. 😊
  • @rambleon2011
    Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.
  • GoodBye...I hope you made the book for GoodBye for a Dummy... it will be cool as beer your holding in that tall apartment of yours...