As seen in the Dayton Daily News on November 23, 2013.
My job as a professional organizer is to help people make decisions on their physical clutter and inspire them to reach goals that are important to them.
Sometimes I get lucky and clients inspire me.
Several years ago as I was leaving a session, a client expressed how excited she was to have a newly organized home to invite guests into for the holidays, something she hadn’t been able to do for many years.
I offered to retrieve her holiday decorations from the attic so she could start decorating. She directed me to one plastic bin and a small tree. I questioned her about additional bins. She said, “I have learned over the years to keep only the decorations that are special.” She decided it was more important to spend time with family during the holidays than decorate her home lavishly.
In the bin was a wreath, ornaments her children made, a candy dish her mother painted, a holiday kitchen towel her aunt embroidered and a few angel figurines.
I left her home inspired to make changes so I could spend more time with family.
Changing habits can be difficult, plus I still had young children at home so I knew paring down was going to be a process not an event.
The first year: I donated any decorations I didn’t put up that year. Some had sentimental value, but I decided not to put them back in the box only to store them for another year. Donating lets someone else enjoy them.
Year 2: I reduced the number of Christmas cards I sent out. No more sending cards to people I don’t see or talk to throughout the year.
Year 3: I announced to my husband that I no longer wanted to exchange gifts between us. Instead, we could enjoy a date night without kids. This year we will dine at Star City Brewing Company in Miamisburg. My husband proposed to me there when it was the Peerless Mill restaurant. It’s simple, but much more enjoyable than shopping, standing in lines, wrapping and returning wrong sizes.
Year 4: I suggested to extended family to no longer exchange gifts but rather to do something together as a family. Everyone agreed. One year we saw a Christmas production at La Comedia, another year we stayed in and played games. This year we are riding the “Polar Express” train in Indiana, pajamas optional.
Year 5: Our daughter picked out one of the smallest trees on the lot. Not quite as bad as Charlie Brown’s tree, but close. My first thought was, “What would our guest think about this humble little tree?” After all, we have high ceilings in our living room and could have a much grander tree.
We came home with the little tree. It was less of a fuss to put in the stand, needed less lights, plus she could reach to decorate it all by herself. Small trees are my preference now.
This year: We fewer lights outside. I am only going to light up my favorite tree.
All of these changes over the years have given us more time to enjoy what we love: baking cookies, playing games, taking in holiday movies, and relaxing with friends and family.
This holiday season, stop doing the things you think you should do and start doing what’s important to you.