When I first start working with clients, I do an assessment on where they are with letting go or getting rid of items. It’s a bit like a trainer working with a first-time client. How strong is my client? Can they lift 20 pounds? Fifty pounds? One hundred pounds? Based on that initial assessment, we begin work.

For many of my clients, their ‘letting go’ muscle needs some work. That means starting out with “light weights.” Or things that might be considered easier to let go of than others. Books for example.

For many people, reading a book can be an experience. Giving away a book may feel like giving away that experience. I remind people that the physical book is not the experience. The experience is the experience. And in a worst case scenario, they can access that experience without having a physical copy of the book: e.g., take it out from the library, buy it on Kindle, etc.

What happens in this process is they see what happens after giving away the book. It may not have been easy to let go at first. After they do, they realize life went on—and it went on with less clutter. That emotional benefit—in place of the emotional letdown they expected—develops their letting-go muscle so they can address other areas of the home. The developed ‘letting go’ muscle can then be applied to shoes, clothing, furniture, etc.

As a professional organizer, it’s my job to gauge the client’s energy and mood and how much hand-holding will be needed for stickier items like jewelry, “antiques,” exercise equipment and more.

It can be challenging with people who have an under-developed letting go muscle. One thing that helps those people is reminding them of the good that can be done by donating little or unused items. Whether that donation is to a local non-profit or family member, it really helps to let them know their things will be appreciated in their new home.

After going through a process like this, there’s certainly a lot of appreciation to go around. Here’s an example:

“You are exactly what is needed when things are contentious.”

That was a family member of a client. Another client shared this:

“I would not be married if it weren’t for you.”

That may be sharing a little too much appreciation as the ‘letting go’ muscle is something everybody has. It’s just a matter of building it up. And if that requires a personal training session, I’m happy to help. Just give me a call at 508-246-6120 or drop a line.