[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Written by Becky Lipnick, Communications Coordinator The holidays are a great time of year to make downsizing decisions. Unlike a Norman Rockwell painting, however, not everyone may be cheery-eyed about the plan.This Thanksgiving, look around at the faces of the friends and family in front of you. This dinner table makes up the cast of eclectic, opinionated characters taking part in your downsizing saga.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="10942" img_size="full" css=".vc_custom_1479755541996{margin-top: 0px !important;}"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_custom_heading text="The Mother Hen" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1453376297591{padding-top: 35px !important;}"]One family member is the motivator for the downsizing project. Often the matriarch of the household, she tries to organize the other parties. The Mother Hen is tired of her “empty” nest being cluttered & is looking forward to migrating to Florida with nothing but her tail feathers. Her determination is strong, but the responsibility of caring for chicks can get in the way of her valiant efforts.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="10944" img_size="full" css=".vc_custom_1479755744238{margin-top: 0px !important;}"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_custom_heading text="The Grouch" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1453376297591{padding-top: 35px !important;}"]This is the person, perhaps the patriarch of the family, who doesn’t want to deal with downsizing, & wants the project to go away. “Just throw it out!” is his favorite tag line. He is sick of holding onto items for his kids, his spouse, and pretty much anyone besides himself. The Grouch will complain excessively & can only be forced to help out in any productive way through intense coercion.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="10945" img_size="full" css=".vc_custom_1479757531386{margin-top: 0px !important;}"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_custom_heading text="The Brats" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1453376297591{padding-top: 35px !important;}"]The Brats, also known as the Mother Hen’s offspring and the unpaid moving committee, have the brawn to help with downsizing, but not the motivation. Sure, they are happy to let her store their stuff, but they have no interest in going through what they want and what they don’t want. The Grouch complains about them constantly. The Mother Hen patiently builds a Hope Chest (full of family china, silver, linens, and other home goods) for her chicks should they ever decide to get married. The kids do NOT want these things. Further, as much as they may mock the Mother Hen for saving their old 4^th grade watercolors and 10^th grade debate trophies from the clutches of The Grouch, they are sometimes reluctant to truly let go of their childhood trinkets.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="10947" img_size="full" css=".vc_custom_1479756228056{margin-top: 0px !important;}"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_custom_heading text="The Hoarder" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1453376297591{padding-top: 35px !important;}"]Just as there is always a Grouch, there is always a Hoarder. The Hoarder is famous for her catch-phrase, “But you might use that someday!" & “I saw a great way to reuse that on Pinterest!” Some of the Hoarder’s ideas are good. Sadly, she is ultimately too attached to the idea of refinishing and re-purposing everything, to actually assist in throwing things out. She means well, but cannot be trusted with throwing things away no matter how hard the Mother Hen tries to convince her it’s for the best. Ironically, she is generally the only person excited to “help” downsize.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_single_image image="10948" img_size="full" css=".vc_custom_1479756330609{margin-top: 0px !important;}"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_custom_heading text="The Cookie Monster" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][vc_column_text css=".vc_custom_1453376297591{padding-top: 35px !important;}"]Another staple of any downsizing cast is the Cookie Monster. Perhaps wonderful in other respects, the Cookie Monster has an obsessive hunger for the “cookies” (i.e., valuable objects) of the home. The Cookie Monster may be unwilling to help with the move, but, he is eager to pounce upon the rewards. Sometimes he will make up a story about how Grandma really wanted him to have an object they willed to someone else, but mostly the Cookie Monster simply tries to get what he wants by yelling “Cookies!” until the others give in. When dealing with a Cookie Monster, make sure to keep your cookie jar under lock and key![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_custom_heading text="Who are you in this cast of characters?" font_container="tag:h5|font_size:20|text_align:left|color:%23444444|line_height:1" google_fonts="font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal"][/vc_column][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_single_image image="10939" img_size="medium" alignment="center" style="vc_box_shadow"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text][showhide]Advice to All the Mother Hens Out ThereWith family like this, who needs enemies! However, even this cast can often be cajoled into completing a downsizing project. Sometimes family responds to rewards. Schedule a favorite dinner time for them to come over and go through their stuff. Set a firm timetable for actions and removal of objects.Consider offering the Brats specific gifts for their service. In return, agree to give them something that they want: money, a vacation, their favorite meal, free laundry. Be creative.

• Once you & the Brats have sorted your items, it is time to call the Grouch out on his words and ask him to take the junk to the dump or a donation center. If he tries to put it off, schedule a time for him to complete the project.
• The Hoarder may not be good for throwing out stuff, but she can be a great resource to unload on. If you have a hoarder who keeps insisting that you can do so much with your things, insist she take them off your hands and into her house. If she drags her feet, release them to the Grouch (and blame it on him if she says she wanted them after all)!
• Cookie Monsters are tricky people to work with and probably should just stay away from the project. However, sometimes a clever Mother Hen can inspire her other workers by having them listen to the wonderful promises of the sweet rewards the Cookie Monster covets.

Remember, don’t let the cast of characters at this year’s Thanksgiving get you down. Think about your downsizing projects, make a plan and focus on making it happen. If you need any help, the Magnussons are only a phone call away![/showhide]Who are you? Are we spot on the nose, or do you see other variations of the Downsizing Cast? All these descriptions are just for fun, but let us know about your experiences in the comments![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]