Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale

by Adam Minter

Freeman has a blonde bob, blue eyes, and endless charisma; I’m not at all surprised when she tells me she’s a former actor, or that she’s scheduled to lead a decluttering seminar in ninety minutes. “When I first arrive at a house, the first thing I do is have a discussion,” she explains. “I want to be a friend, not an adversary. Because that’s how they see me, as someone who throws away stuff.” That’s just the starter. Inevitably, the job is about convincing people to let go and assuring them that the things they love aren’t lost. “There’s a grieving process,” she says. “When you got that wedding china, you were going to keep it forever. I have clients break down.” As possessions are set aside, a more profound grieving takes place. It’s not just the loss of a sentiment; it’s the loss of an identity. The process is made even more difficult by changing tastes. The fine china and antiques appreciated by Americans born in the middle of the twentieth century aren’t in much demand from the younger generations. “People just don’t want it. But seniors want people to want it,” Freeman says. “ ‘Oh, my kids will take it.’ No, they won’t.” It’s not their identity.