The Winds of Change

I have not written for a while and to tell you the truth I have missed it. While I still have been traveling, 2024 was a great travel year, I found that it was getting way too expensive to do it like I want. After taking a few jobs here and there, I found myself a little lost with no direction to my goal of being independent, comfortable, and rolling down the highway.

I started this blog to not only share my travel and living experiences in this unique lifestyle but also empower others to know that you can always reach for your dreams and attain them. My greatest gift is the joy I feel when I have given encouragement and shown someone how they can discover the life choices to get them there.

The Start of Something New

Living a minimalistic lifestyle, I am often asked how I keep all my stuff in that small space. My answer… I do not have a lot of stuff. Lol.

I was asked to do a favor for a friend. Her Mom was looking at moving into a smaller place more adaptable for her age in a few years. Her home she lived in was not large, but she had a lot of stuff that she had no idea what to do with. She knew if she left it, she may not have the physical strength to do it later or that it would be something her kids would have to take care of in the end.

She asked me if I could come and help her Mom downsize. She mentioned she tried to do it with her, but it was not a compatible arrangement. Sometimes, a stranger can better handle the enormous task of downsizing with someone.

A Favor that Became a Beautiful Moment

The morning I arrived I was met a lovely woman we will call Mary.

Please note: Clutter is a very private thing. Never will I mention a name or place with express permission to do so.

Mary was “into her 70’s” and knew that in a few years’ time, she would either have to move into a more age appropriate space or God forbid she pass away and her kids would have to deal with it.

She showed me around her beautiful 2 bedroom bungalow that was indeed filled with a lot of stuff. Although you could move through the house just fine, there were things everywhere. She said cleaning had become difficult since she did not have the strength or energy to move things to clean. Just to dust, the living room would take days.

She had tried to get rid of a few things, but it just became overwhelming. She would pick up an item and would stare it, not really knowing what to do with it. Knowing at some point, she would have to do something with it. The frustration of not knowing  would become so overwhelming. She would give up, make a cup of tea, and turn the TV on. 

I assured her that together we could make it happen.

The UnCluttering Begins

Where should we start? The place that bugs you the most. In her case, it was the kitchen. The counter was packed with different devices and knick knacks. The table had the overflow. So we started at one end of the counter. The first thing I came across was the three toasters. A four toaster for company, a 2 piece wide toaster for bagels, and a 1 slice toaster because she thought it was cute. Asking her these 3 questions..

When did you use it last?

The four slice toaster was 3 years ago, the one slice toaster never. The 2 slice toaster yesterday for a bagel.

When will you use it again?

The four slice. She did not think she would have company for breakfast again. The one slice… ya probably not ever.

Where will you put it if you decide to keep it?

The 2 slice toaster can remain where it is. The other 2 could be donated.

We did this for every piece. Making piles for donation or throwing out. Giving to family or friends and donation to a worthy cause.

In less than 2 hours, we had the counter, and the kitchen table cleared and cleaned. We sat down for tea.

The look of both the satisfaction of a job well done and exuberance of the fact she could sit at her kitchen table and have tea was amazing to feel for both of us.

We worked through the house. Her son and daughter would come and get donation bags when we had them ready. Removal is the hardest part. Doing this as you go will give you more space and less time to think about.

When we had something to keep but belonged in another room, we would put in a pile to be distributed when we finished the area we were uncluttering. If we had not gotten to that part yet, it would be placed in the keep corner and put away when we get there.  

As we worked through the house and uncluttered tables, corners, and closets, I could see the excitement on her face. We decided for the things for friends and family, and we would put a piece of masking tape on the bottom of the items with their names.

The Final Piece

When we were done, we walked through the house. My heart was uplifted as I saw the joy in her face while she walked through her new transformed spaces. As we walked, we discussed the strategies that we talked about while uncluttering that she would use to keep it that way.

One final thing to do. On the Saturday, following the finish of the project, we showed off the house to the family and friends she had chosen items for. Her son and daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The special friends she had came as well. As we led them through the house, we came into a room with a long table. The table held all the items she had chosen to give to her loved ones. Mententos packed with memories moving to a new place to share in someone’s heart.

As her loved ones turned items over to discover what treasure they had been gifted, there were squeals of delight and some happy tears. I turned to her, and she had tears of her own. When I asked if she was OK, she responded, “If I had waited until I was gone, I would have never experienced the joy of watching them receive it. Thank you for this most beautiful gift.” My heart was full, to say the least.

That was the moment I knew i wanted to give all those who needed it, that moment.

I went on to organize and create an inventory system for a small warehouse as well as a few other small organizational projects for friends and family.

I have since heard from Mary, and she feels she can stay in the house longer. She does not need to move things to clean and can now clean the whole living room in a day instead of just dust. I am so very happy for her, and she knows I will always be here for support if she needs it.

UnClutter Your Life is Born!

A personalized service to help you unclutter your life. It does not matter which area or how big that area is. We can do it together. When you Unclutter the space around you, it helps unclutter the space within you. Let me help you breathe a little easier, think a little more clearly, and get the most enjoyment of being in your space.

The great thing about living in my RV is that just because I am not near you now does not mean I will not be near you. My adventures take me many places, and I can make anywhere an adventure. Check out my UnClutter Your Life page, and when you decide it’s time, get in touch. You will be glad you did.

PS. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog on my home page and receive a subscribers discount.

Thanks for coming along on my Chipmunk Adveture. Stay tuned for travel posts and blogs with tips and tricks on how you can UnClutter Your Life.