Why this job gives me joy
Every day I hear amazing stories from my clients. Having the opportunity to spend time with seniors is a privilege. It forces me to slow things down. Seniors work at a slower pace. When we have our first introductory meeting with them we have the opportunity to get to know each other a little bit. When we work with them in their homes sorting and clearing we have the opportunity to get a little insight into their lives. They have amazing stories to tell and so little opportunity to share these stories.
Like Gunter whose father fought in the Second World War for the Germans. He was captured by the allies in North Africa and spent time in prisoner-of-war camps in both South Africa and Canada. Gunter has a chess set that his father carved while in this camp in Canada.
Or Mavis who lost her son to a motor car accident when he was 21! Listening to the story of her loss and how she wanted to just give up on life almost 40 years ago showed me her strength. Mavis, at 94 has buried two husbands since then too! Giving a lady like this the time to chat and listen to her stories is the least that an amazing woman like this deserves.
If you take on the project of sorting, decluttering and reducing for a family member or loved one remember to work at their pace. Don’t shut them down when finding an item triggers a memory for them. Giving them the opportunity to chat a little about their loved ones and experiences is part of their closure. Showing compassion and patience will go a long way to helping them to move on to the next step in their lives. Plus – the insights we gain from what they have to say can only enhance our own lives!!
Our experience gives us the opportunity to get that balance right between listening and hearing the stories while still making progress on sorting and clearing. We know when to listen and when to gently move the senior onto the next item to make a decision on whether it is being kept or not. By working on the ‘touch once’ policy we avoid wasting time by going back to items, again and again, to decide what to do with them.
Click to read how Clear Path started and why.