Summer Reading Ideas – Poetry about Organizing
Reading time – 5 minutes
A client sent me a poem about getting organized and that made me think of a number of other poems I use in my presentations. (I am available to speak to your group).
Letting Go
Another Professional Organizer, Linda Samuels, shared this poem by Erin Hanson about letting go. I love the message about letting go and not only stuff, other things in your life too. I hope that it will also resonate with you.
I was the type of person,
That held onto things too tight,
Unable to release my grip,
When it no longer felt right,
And although it gave me blisters,
And my fingers would all ache,
I always thought that holding on,
Was worth the pain it takes.
I used to think in losing things,
I’d lose part of me too,
That slowly I’d become someone,
My heart no longer knew.
Then one day something happened,
I dropped what I had once held dear,
But my soul became much lighter,
Instead of filled with fear.
And it taught my heart that some things,
Aren’t meant to last for long,
They arrive to teach you lessons,
And then continue on.
You don’t have to cling to people,
Who no longer make you smile,
Or do something you’ve come to hate,
If it isn’t worth your while.
That sometimes the thing you’re fighting for,
Isn’t worth the cost,
And not everything you ever lose,
Is bound to be a loss.
– e.h.
Moving Forward
Sometimes in life a tragedy happens. You find it difficult to see the value in being organized. You want the past back. I want to share some advice from a grandmother about Moving Forward written by Elena Mikhalkova
“My grandmother once gave me a tip:
In difficult times, you move forward in small steps.
Do what you have to do, but little by little.
Don’t think about the future, or what may happen tomorrow.
Wash the dishes.
Remove the dust.
Write a letter.
Make a soup.
You see?
You are advancing step by step.
Take a step and stop.
Rest a little.
Praise yourself.
Take another step.
Then another.
You won’t notice, but your steps will grow more and more.
And the time will come when you can think about the future without crying.”
~ Elena Mikhalkova
Storage Units
I have conversations with clients about storage units. Should I get one so I have more room in my home? Would it be a good idea to put “these things” in a storage unit until I know what to do with them? Most times storage units delay the decisions you need to make. Here is a poem by Mary Oliver on this topic.
Storage
When I moved from one house to another
there were many things I had no room
for. What does one do? I rented a storage
space. And filled it. Years passed.
Occasionally I went there and looked in,
but nothing happened, not a single
twinge of the heart.
As I grew older the things I cared
about grew fewer, but were more
important. So one day I undid the lock
and called the trash man. He took
everything.
I felt like the little donkey when
his burden is finally lifted. Things!
Burn them, burn them! Make a beautiful
fire! More room in your heart for love,
for the trees! For the birds who own Nothing -the reason they can fly.
A quote from Mary Oliver
Please share an inspirational poem or quote in the comments
Julie Stobbe is the 2024-2025 winner of the Harold Taylor Award for outstanding contributions to the organizing industry and Professional Organizers in Canada. As a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach, she brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides, mentors and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
