Sorting through a loved one’s home after loss is emotionally heavy. Give yourself permission to pause and move forward without rushing or regretting it.
Have you ever found yourself staring at a closet full of memories, unsure of where to start? If you’ve lost someone close to you, this experience can feel incredibly overwhelming.
Grief isn’t just emotional, it’s physical. It shows up in the piles we can’t touch, the closets we can’t open, and the boxes we can’t face. Trust me, I get it. I've been there, and it's a tough balancing act.
When it’s time to go through their belongings, it’s common to feel a push and pull between needing to clear space and wanting to hold onto those precious memories. Together with Bridget Flynn from Divine Organizing, we’ll give you some tips on how to manage your late loved one’s belongings.
1. Give yourself permission to pause. It’s okay to take your time. There’s often pressure to sort through everything immediately, but grief doesn’t have a timeline. You might feel like you need to dive in right away, but if you’re not ready, that’s perfectly fine.
Many find they are more prepared to tackle this task a year or even a few years later. Think of this as giving yourself permission to pause. When clients approach me for help, Bridget emphasizes that there’s no rush. You’ll know when you're ready, and until then, it's okay to let things be.
2. The "decide later" box. One valuable tool for this process is the “Decide Later” box. This simple yet effective method helps manage items that tug at your heartstrings, but for which you’re not quite ready to make a decision. Here’s how it works:
● Grab a medium-sized box (around 24 by 24 inches).
● Label it clearly: “Decide Later.”
● As you go through your belongings, place items that are hard to part with into this box.
● Store it safely.
This approach allows you to avoid making emotional decisions on the spot, which can often lead to regret or frustration. You can revisit the box when you’re feeling more settled and ready to make a decision.
3. Take it step by step. Sorting through belongings can be a gradual process. For example, Bridget recently worked with a client whose husband passed away five years ago. She still had his clothes in the closet. Together, we donated three-quarters of them, while she decided to keep a quarter as a reminder of him.
This approach respects the emotional weight of the items while also allowing for progress. If you have the space and feel comfortable, it’s perfectly okay to keep some things.
Remember, take it at your own pace. You’re not alone in this journey, and it’s okay to give yourself the time you need.
Dealing with a loved one’s belongings is never easy, but you don’t have to face it alone. Whether you need emotional support or practical help with real estate matters.
Reach out if you have questions or need a helping hand. You can contact Bridget at (203) 644-6834 or visit her website, BridgetFlynn.com.
And when it comes to real estate, like valuing a home for estate tax purposes, I'm here to assist you. Call us at (203) 722-5445, send an email to [email protected] or linda-dunsmore.kw.com.
Grief doesn’t follow a calendar. But when the time comes to take the next step, whether that’s organizing, donating, or selling, having guidance and compassion makes all the difference.
