I feel what you are saying. All or nothing. And I don't think there is anything wrong with having lots of stuff. Life is long and constantly changing! It's just our desire to hang on to it all forever which tends to trap us.
All men must have power tools and yes, you nailed it with my mother's house. It is a lot of work. Too much it would seem for a person of her age. She is looking for a bungalow now.