To wrap up this theme of our stuff and the stories we tell about it,
let me gently remind you,
(or nag if that would be more appropriate),
experiences make the best stories and memories of all.

We all have enough time to spend doing what we love,
hanging out with the people we care about
if we choose to make that a priority.

Sharing experiences; from conversations to big adventures,
have far more meaning than any stuff we could buy.

When your final story is told do you want it to be about
how big your house was,
how new your car,
how vast your wardrobe, or
how extensive your collections?

Or do you want people to tell stories about how 

you made them laugh,
the hikes you took together,
the meals you shared,
how you encouraged them to dream 

to be creative, and
how you always made time for them?

Your choices write your story.

More stories

In addition to the stories we associate with our 'stuff',  there are the stories we have about people and events in our lives.
Many of these stores have become mental or emotional clutter.

Some we have told ourselves (and others) so often their delivery includes pauses for dramatic effect.
It only takes a small reminder or single word and suddenly we're launched into the narrative and find ourselves sucked into the circling vortex of the thoughts and emotions the story holds for us.

What if we could let the story go?
Does retelling the same event over and over make us feel better or worse?  Sad or happy?

Do we really want to devote mental and emotional space and energy to telling ourselves the tale one more time?

Just as holding on to too many physical items from our past limits the space we have for the life we are now living and hoping to create, so is devoting mental and emotional energy to repetitious tales from our past limiting.

 

Start to pay attention to the voice in your head.

Pause, and give yourself permission to turn the page.
Close the mental book on stories that no longer serve you.

Make the story in your head one of connections, compassion and supporting yourself and others to make space for an open and heartfelt life.

Your choices create your life.

What's the story?

I love a good story.
One of the things I like most about my job as an Organizer is getting to hear my client's stories.
The narratives they share about their lives, 

the back story on their things, 

the account of how they ended up working with me.

Our lives are made up of stories: Threads we weave together, conversations we repeat, 

moments we hold  in our minds.
We give meaning to our lives and the things in our lives by the stories we tell about them.

Sometimes when it is challenging to let go of something, 

it's because of the story we've attached to that item.
Who gave it to us,
how much we spent,
the length of time it has been in our life,
what we hope the item says about us, or
how someone else would feel if we were to let the item go.

But you know, the story and the item are two completely different things.
Being able to recognize and separate the two is what allows us to make good choices about what has real meaning and value in our lives,
and what is just stuff.

Letting go of the thing doesn't mean we have to forget the story, or the memories we may have attached to the item.
Although sometimes that can be exactly what we may want and need to do!

The money is gone, holding onto the thing doesn't get us the money back.
Just because we've had the book for ten years doesn't mean we need to keep it for another ten.
People are far more impressed by what you do and say than anything you may have in your home.
And you can't control anyone else's feelings.  

Hopefully your best relationships aren't predicated on you displaying gifts that person gave you.

Start paying attention to the stories you tell yourself.
About your stuff.
About others.
About yourself.

You're the one that gives the story its meaning and power.

Honor your time and your life 

by filling your home and your heart
with stories of connection and whole heartedness.