Hello Free Rangers. For our second episode, we are tackling issues that can occur around us such as clutter, things and stuff. Free Rangers have been around for a long time, enough time to collect lots of stuff. Our goal now is to find the right balance between our things and stuff.
My grandmother passed away in May 2022. She lived in the same house for over 70 years. Every closet was full of memories. Our family knew that going through every inch of that place was going to be a huge undertaking. Once everyone came to get what they wanted, the real work began. This is when our precious things become the stuff that our loved ones must rehome. If you have ever gone through a situation where you had to empty out the household of a loved one, you know how emotionally difficult this process is. It changes you. You start to think about the things that you are holding on to and if your loved ones will be saddled with the task dealing with all of this.
Sara Howard introduces us to the book Swedish Death Cleaning in our episode. According to the book’s description - It’s a charming, practical, and unsentimental approach to putting a home in order while reflecting on the tiny joys that make up a long life. It's a radical and joyous method for putting things in order that helps families broach sensitive conversations, and makes the process uplifting rather than overwhelming. There is actually a new TV program coming out soon about Swedish Death Cleaning. Here’s the trailer.
As you are examining or re-examining your relationship with things, here are some things to consider:
It’s exhausting - Decluttering or going through your things is both physically and emotionally exhausting. It takes a lot out of us. Pace yourself. Try to do just a little bit everyday instead of trying to do everything in a matter of days. What if you started with 15 minutes a day?
It’s easier with company - Consider letting a trusted friend help you get started. Friends are great at asking tough questions like - Do you really need 3 types of soap dispensers?
It’s different with a professional - Consider hiring someone who excels at organizing professionally to give you the jump start that you need. Ask your friends to share suggestions of professional organizers to help you find the right one.
It’s more than a teacup - Over time, we acquire things from loved ones either as gifts or inheritance that don’t really give us joy. We keep them due to the sentimental nature of them. How can we still honor our loved ones while letting those things live on with others?
It’s not mine, it belongs to my children - Holding on to your kid’s old stuff? Many of us Free Rangers are still raising kids or helping out college-age kids. This means we are still a safe place for their kids' stuff. What options do you have now to store these things that will give you a bit more freedom? If your children are old enough to store these things, consider letting them go.
We love the things that we own, but when we start feeling overwhelmed by our surroundings, it’s time to change your approach.
Thanks for listening.
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