After eight plus years as the Chief Clutter Clearing Officer for A Clutter Clearing, I´ve seen many patterns from which to learn.

This month, let´s focus on WHAT´S of VALUE and HOW to DECIDE?

There´s a "question or challenge" out there that asks basically: "If you had 15 minutes to leave your home in say, a fire or flood emergency, what would you grab instinctually in those precious moments of decision, impulse and adrenalin?"

May this scenario be only a rehearsal with no real need to flee, but it invites you to consider what can I hold onto that is IRREPLACEABLE ?? It´s not clothes, it´s not the Vitamix, it´s not the old magazine piles.

Let´s shed light on what´s most valuable:

1. Things you can no longer replace, like family photos, videos, birth certificates, and keys and codes for safety deposit boxes.

2. Clothes for the day, the week, that night. Having a bag for overnight clothes, dry socks, shoes, sweaters ... keeping warm and clothed is an essential thing, wouldn´t you say?

3. Medicines and Glasses - You need to be able to see, read, and have your vital meds with you.

4. Children, pets and such - Not only are you claiming your own needs, you must also consider those dependents relying on your guidance. Pets need food, collars, leashes; kids need a whole lot more.

5. Food and Water - How would you eat and drink if there´s no services open or available? Consider what you´d take going camping, or on an outdoor adventure.

6. Wires, connectivity - Even without a 911 scenario, we all are looking for a plug, an adapter, a wire to connect our phones, devices and PCs. These are items of value.

What else do you consider of value? Kids´ artwork, old books, your parents´ legacy items?

When we declutter a home, thank goodness we´ve got more than 15 minutes to decide, but the theory, the practice are quite aligned. When FORCED to decide, what´s important to you and your family?

Can it be the shoe collection, the luggage collection, the pots and pans ?? I´m thinking probably not so much. Jewelry, maybe of more value (and easier to carry).

Family albums, sentimental keepsakes, old videos .... These things cannot be easily replaced.

So, when your organizing guru is helping you discard, donate or re-purpose items, keep this in mind, "If I parted with it, how would my life change?" If the answer is "not so much", well, then, you can feel confident in LETTING GO for that item, thing and stuff.

When we consider that we all have TMS* (Too Much Stuff™), in an effort to be and feel lighter, have more closet space, let go of old things, it´s a monumental shift to determine what´s of REAL VALUE and what can we LIVE WITHOUT.

As we head into Dads and Grads season, and gift giving is top of mind, consider NOT the necktie for Dad, the gadget for the graduate. Consider an experience, an adventure, a concert ticket, something that doesn´t need a shelf or drawer to be displayed and dusted.

Of course, a diploma, well, for the graduate, that´s a keeper. That´s of value, and that´s something worth holding onto.

These ideas, these themes, these notions are printed here in order to help you SIMPLIFY your life, your environment and ultimately your mind, your stress levels and your comfort. Some of us are quite capable of handling our stuff. Others simply need some guidance, and maybe a friendly nudge. In most cases, A Clutter Clearing can help you achieve your wishes, goals and desires more quickly and with alacrity (look it up!). Simply call for a free consultation over the phone with no obligation.

I am HAPPY to discuss your project needs anytime.

Until next month, wishing you and yours a simplified, organized and most valued time. Remember: CLEAR THE CLUTTER ... CLEAR THE MIND™