 (Alla Dreyvitser/The Washington Post) | Lesson 1: What to do when your "empty nest" is actually full — of stuff Hello there! Welcome to Bold School, our 12-week newsletter series dedicated to sharing stories about — and advice for — getting better and bolder with age. I'm kicking it off by describing a radical solution I found to a universal problem: How to turn an empty nest (but one that's still full of things) into a serene environment without spending the nest egg. Let me explain: Here we are, my husband and I, living in the same house for 28 years, staring at the same old walls, the same old matching dining room furniture and the same old piles of kids' toys and clothes and schoolwork. I wanted to jettison it all. I'm from Los Angeles (husband's from Albuquerque), and we both grew up in streamlined, mid-century-modern houses. The clutter we amassed over 34 years of marriage and four kids nearly obliterated our minimalist vibe. As each of our children graduated from college, they moved into tiny spaces that precluded them from taking all their stuff. Sound familiar? Left behind were several large boxes full of schoolwork, a closet full of fast fashion and bins of toys. You can understand why, as we entered our new chapter, I was determined to turn the house into an oasis of relaxing calm. Of course, that meant investing in stylish new furnishings: West Elm, here we come! But I was conflicted: I pride myself on solving problems without throwing money at them. Also, we are nearing retirement age. Also, I am cheap. (Do I need to be?) So, how to create a serene haven without spending a mint? I turned to an expert. Designer Lauren Liess, of Great Falls, Va., told me just what I needed to hear: "Paring down and decluttering a space and freshening up with paint is a great way to get a refresh without spending a lot." And what she said next sent a thrilling spark through my brain: "Old things can feel interesting again when arranged differently." Paring down, decluttering and rearranging? You don't have to tell me twice. Instead of buying new stuff, I could get rid of a few things and shuffle the rest to bring them back to life. We looked around and wondered: What could go? How about the beautiful but ignored piano; the ugly and useless stereo cabinet and speakers; the hulking china cabinet, standing like a buffalo in the dining room? Yes, yes and yes! We donated the piano to the local elementary school, tossed the stereo cabinet and speakers, and moved the china cabinet into the foyer where it is now a display case for a small collection of baskets and ceramics. Voila! A more relaxing living space created by taking away and adjusting what we already had. When the kids visited, they were amazed. And also a little annoyed: We handed each of them a pile of their stuff to take with them. In order to create an oasis, Liess recommends following a few simple steps: - get rid of furniture and large items you aren't using (here is how)
- declutter (pare down knickknacks)
- freshen up the walls with paint
- display and keep only what you really love
- enjoy your heavenly new haven
And the rest of the kids' stuff? We'll have to deal with that eventually. Until then, we open an unused bedroom door, throw the junk in and close it. That would scandalize Joshua Becker of becomingminimalist.com, who says "three months [is] a good timeline to go back through toys after Christmas and birthdays." But guess what? Being bolder means you ignore what isn't working for you, right now. Your assignmentIn one room, remove a piece of furniture and rearrange the rest. Or identify and ditch unused sports equipment — or a dusty collection. Tell us Have you been able to pare down your family's things, furniture, gadgets and tools, sentimental collections? How did you do it? Submit your response to be featured in Friday's newsletter here. Reading listWhere to sell, dump, donate and recycle what needs to go How to make your home 'inclusive' as you grow older Five fresh ideas for the family china nobody wants Amid a national decluttering frenzy, 5 families share the heirlooms they can't part with Here are the places that want your old eyeglasses, towels, blue jeans, vases and more How to create a cool, Scandinavian minimalist vibe for a bedroom When mom and dad are gone, how best to get rid of a lifetime of possessions The case for fewer possessions — and a fuller life Enjoying the now while saving for the future Have stuff to sell because of downsizing? An estate sale or auction could be your answer. A fresh start? There's nothing like fresh white paint Zen 1: Simple ways to turn your home into a stress-free zone Zen 2: The science-backed tips to design serenity And a quick housekeeping note Be sure to add email@washingtonpost.com to your email address book. This will help ensure Bold School never ends up in your spam folder. But if it does, make sure to drag and drop it back to your main inbox folder. If you're a Gmail user, this newsletter may initially show up in the promotions tab of your inbox. Here's how to remedy that going forward: If you're on your phone, hit the three dots in the upper right corner, then tap "move to," and choose "primary." If you're on your computer, drag this email into your "primary" tab. That's it! | 
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