How do you best get motivated to downsize' discard, clean out, 43 yrs?

I feel ya, I had the same issue. If you have kids, esp in apts, give them first choice and a deadline. Separate Sellable stuff and use facebook marketplace. Other stuff put on FBMP as “free” and also on craigslist. OR give to charity such as goodwill, salvation army, habitat for humanity. What you keep, organize on shelves, or labeled plastic tubs and stack. It is a winnowing process so give yourself some time.

I watched a few episodes of Hoarders! Been getting rid of stuff ever since!

You just need to get ruthless! My garage has been in various stages of a mess after my parents passed. I finally got sick and tired of shuffling stuff around, I am slowly giving away projects I just do not have time or space to do in the foreseeable future.

I had 2 suitcases of photos of people who I assume are relatives but the writing is illegible and in several languages, not English, and knowing after I pass they would be dumped in a recycle bin, if I am lucky, I just gave to a local antique shop to sell cheaply.

Just starting is the issue. Even 15 minutes here and there makes a difference. Keep things you will actually sell, or donate. Then sort and store in tubs that are marked so you can find the items you will actually use.

It can be daunting. Best advice is just start a little at a time. When you start to see a difference you'll be motivated to do more. Start making three piles. Things you want to keep. Things you want to donate. Things to throw away. Don't think too much about it, just put it in a pile. At the end of your session of sorting, (could be 15 min, an hour, all day, whatever) go back to your Keep pile and look through and sort again. After some thought you might want to donate that "Keeper". Good luck.

I feel ya. Go to this website. It is so helpful. www.flylady,net . Okay, the name is weird. This is a website that was based on her User Name on a forum. She just encourages the heck out of people. There are a lot of people that feel overwhelmed. She's been there. You are not a bad person.

You are so right to do this when you are capable. Are you able to use any of the junk removing companies that are out there? Getting help is the key. Make 3 boxes and label them: KEEP, DONATE, TRASH. Fill the boxes as appropriate. Get help hauling away the TRASH. There are many companies that will come to your house and take the DONATE boxes. (Veterans). Then use plastic bins to organize what you are going to KEEP. You will feel so unstressed when this process is over!