Now this was FUN!
Recently, I received an email from a Free Press reader responding to a column I had done regarding how "stuff" can build up, take over our homes and leave our brain feeling as cluttered and disorganized as the "stuff" we’re living in.
Sharon (not her real name) has a lot of stuff, a combination of family stuff accumulated over the years, estate stuff, papers, things she set aside to have a look at and deal with some day and so on. You know how it goes.
Sharon was feeling a little overwhelmed at the task awaiting her, didn’t really know where to start, didn’t know the value of some of the things she was considering parting with, the bottom line being if she croaked unexpectedly she didn’t want to leave her children with the burden of dealing with all of her "stuff."
A VERY considerate thought if you have a lot of old sex toys in the mix somewhere. All together now: "Ewwwwwww."
Sharon, by the way, didn’t — and doesn’t. Moving on.
In response to her email, I replied, "Well why don’t I come over and see what it would take to do an initial assessment and attack that stuff a bit to see what we might accomplish?"
So this past Tuesday at 2 p.m., I went in with an organizational plan, with Sharon working alongside removing things she knew could go immediately. We laughed, we drank coffee and some sweet fizzy stuff she got from Costco, dug through the mother lode of mess and memories and even came across a much-valued old clock Sharon thought had gotten lost along the way. She was thrilled and we hung it up immediately.
My goal was to get rid of what we could, then organize and store things in a way that left keeper stuff at the back, with the items most likely to go to family or friends or charity or for sale, at the front. I emptied her storage room and put her belongings back in that order. So now she has easy access to things that might go soon and knows where everything is.
I’m still going back to remove a bunch of old storage boxes that are no longer needed or useful, put a good light in the storage room and label everything.
She called the next morning about something or other (I’m her slave now) and I asked her how it felt to have gotten as far as we did.
"Oh my GOD," she replied, "I went downstairs this morning and what a relief it was to see that tidy room. I feel like such a weight, such a burden has been lifted off my shoulders. My anxiety has really dropped, I can see daylight now!"
I’ve got to admit, I was personally thrilled at how thrilled she was. It took a little over three hours with coffee breaks and humour and she really couldn’t believe that much could be accomplished in such a short time.
So I wrote this column today to inspire not only you, but also me. If you have a similar challenge awaiting you in the house, garage, yard or where ever, posse up with a good friend and just make a day of it. You will be amazed at how different "home" and your attitude feel at the end of the day.
The clutter that leaves your house, also leaves your mind.
If you have some antiques or belongings you want to sell but you don’t know their value, go online or get a friend to and find all the similar items you can for sale, to establish a ballpark value for yours. "Condition" has a great deal to do with determining that value, so when comparing, do your best to find not only something as close as possible to what you’re selling, but also something as close as possible condition-wise.
Failure to do so may result in you asking way too much for a piece of junk; or selling some minty piece at a junk price. That would not be good. If you get appraisals, get more than one.
Not only did Sharon and I (same age) have a blast, but she even sent me home with some toys for the grandkids: a roll of orangy type vinyl for re-upholstering something and all the food in her fridge that she bought, tried and didn’t like. I had a bunch of it Tuesday night for supper. Tasty.
I enjoyed this "mission" so much I’ve considered doing it part time as a business. You meet great people, and get free stuff and plenty of exercise. And what a feeling! It’s so rewarding — especially for the person you’re helping.
Have truck, will travel. I may be available for consultation — or not. Pie. I like pie.
If you have a similar problem awaiting you in your home, there’s no time like the present to attack it and make space for the happiness and relief that comes from gaining even a bit more control over a life that can sometimes be truly overwhelming.
Comments or feedback, love to hear from you!
lmustard1948@gmail.com
