Flourish Organizing

Grief & Organizing: When should I go through my spouse's belongings?

4/1/2023

Today we are going to talk a little bit about the intersection between grief and home organizing. When a loved one passes away, we are often left to the task of not only grieving their absences but also facing the physical reality of their items left behind.

When should I go through my spouse's belongings? Notice the word "should". This is not a math equation with one answer. There is no one "right answer". This is a very personal question that will vary. Much like the grief process, each person will be ready to go through different categories of their spouse's belongings at different times.

Organizing Tips for Emergency Preparedness

3/29/2021

The recent winter storms in Texas have us thinking, once again, about emergency preparedness. In home organizing, we often talk about decluttering first, about keeping only the things you need, about simplifying... People often are concerned - where is the line between being prepared and hoarding? How much do I actually need?

Photo of snow on the ground, the base of two trees, and an azalea bush in bloom with bright pink flowers.

Snow covering the hood and windshield of a car is shown in the foreground all in white with a few trees and pushes out of focus in the background covered with ice and snow.

These are very personal questions, and the answers often change over time based on our personal needs. Where do you live and what types of events are more likely to occur in your area? What are the personal health and safety needs of your family? For example, a family member with celiac disease will need special gluten free food and a baby taking formula will need distilled water, so having some extra on hand is important for those individuals.

Choosing a New Year's 'Word of the Year'

12/31/2020

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Years ago, I heard about this idea for choosing a word for the year instead of making New Year’s Resolutions. As someone who thrives in environments with clear rules and boundaries, I always made goals for the year. However, I also felt frustrated... I found myself making the same resolutions each year and also never quite living up to them. It felt like I was in a never ending state of being “not good enough” and asking myself “Why can’t I succeed at this?”

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From the desk of Laura

Grief & Organizing: When should I go through my spouse's belongings?

Organizing Tips for Emergency Preparedness

Choosing a New Year's 'Word of the Year'

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