The Sentimental Organizer

As a Professional Organizer it is my job to help people go through their belongings and make tough decisions about what to keep, donate or throw away. Sometimes this process is very difficult because the emotions that are attached to these items run deep. Having to part with an item that holds a memory, a feeling, is a challenge that even I have to cope with when organizing for myself.

I think we all have “hot spots” in our homes and mine is my garage! My garage tends to be the catch-all for items that I don’t quite know what to do with or that need me to create a space for them to abide in. With my busy schedule I don’t always have the immediate time to figure out the best solution. Along with unmade decisions, my garage holds memories. Recently, I had to take my own advice and let go of my grandmother’s sofa and chair, which has been in my memory bank for my entire life. I loved these pieces even though both chair and sofa were the most uncomfortable to sit on. That didn’t matter. What mattered to me is that they came from the home of my grandmother and I needed them with me to keep her close to me, or so I thought. I didn’t know my maternal grandmother as she had passed away when I was two. But, I saw pictures and heard stories of her journey to the United States from County Mayo, Ireland in the early 1900’s. My love for her and the vision I held for her manifested in these two pieces and I could not let them go for years, even though they needed to be re-upholstered, even though I had no room for them in my house, even though little pieces of the carved wood were broken off from years of moving them from place to place, knowing they were in my garage made me feel closer to Margaret Burke. I so wanted to know her.  

Then, seeing that I really needed to make space in my garage, I made the very tough decision to donate the sofa and chair. I sat in the chair and shed some tears, then picked up the phone and called a local charity to pick up the furniture. I pulled them out onto the driveway and wrote signs in red saying “Please find them a loving home.” I know - kind of dumb but it’s really how I felt. I needed to know that the physical part of my memories would be cherished and loved.  

Wanting to hold on to items that hold memories, love and maybe a happier time in your life is normal.
The reality is that we just can’t hold on to everything. And the memory of that person is not in inanimate objects. It’s in our minds and our hearts and no one can take that from you.  

When I work with people, I truly understand the sentimentality they have toward their items. My approach is that if it has a “home” (meaning it is put away) then it can stay. If not, let it go and know that someone else will enjoy your items and be so thrilled that they found a treasure at the thrift store.  

Keeping our personal area de-cluttered and clear of “stuff” is important on so many levels. Allowing the flow of energy to move through your rooms will help you stay healthy, prosperous and leave you feeling peaceful and calm. Taking the plunge to go through items you don’t need, don’t use or just don’t have room for takes courage and a little discipline. I do know that!!!