Prioritizing What to Keep

tree on home

It seems like every time we turn on the TV or open the newspaper we read about fires, floods, and other natural disasters.

People may receive a warning that they have one hour to evacuate their home. They are only going to be able to take with them the amount of things that will fit in their car.

Now, in case you have run out of things to worry about when you go to bed, try out this question. What would you grab?

Now, hopefully we would grab our children along with their favorite comfy blanket and stuffed animal. And then, of course, our pets along with their food bowls, some water, and food. Oh, and don’t forget the leash! Gather up the electrical gizmos and all their chargers. Cash because ATMs and charge machines may be down. Then…….

After reading Judith Kolberg’s Organize For Disaster book, I put together my own “grab and go” bag that I update annually. You can also answer your late-night question by checking out FEMA and Red Cross sites.

But I want to use this question in another way.

I recently had a call about an elderly woman who had a huge tree fall on her home. The house was heavily damaged, and the woman is living elsewhere now in a much smaller apartment. The question has come up as to what she should try to retrieve from that home before it is destroyed.

My understanding is that the home that was damaged beyond repair was filled up and overflowing. She had lived there many years and accumulated a lot.

When helping her decide what to try to find and bring to her new residence from that old home I would like to pose this question to her. “If you knew that the tree was going to fall and that you could only save what you could fit into your car, what would you grab?’

Having a space or container limit could help eliminate so much. It would cause her to focus on what was most important. I feel it would help her set priorities and make her choices easier to make.

She could mentally go room by room and figure out what was most necessary and meaningful to her. She would also have to come to the realization that some items would be heavily damaged or not retrievable. But until we have a list and make a try, we will not know for sure.

Since I have not yet had a meeting with this woman, I don’t know that this question will help guide her. I am only hoping that it can become a jumping off place for a thoughtful conversation on how to prioritize what to keep and what to let go of.

If you are ready to work on any specific organizing project and want some tips, encouragement, or accountability join Diane Quintana and me in our Clear Space For You virtual clutter support group. You could complete a small project or set up an organizing plan

during the call. The group will offer ideas, support, and gentle accountability for working on developing plans or projects.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients.