When I think back on this past year, the word bittersweet comes to mind. We (myself and my siblings) started the year by taking turns caring for my parents. Especially my dad who was in need of daily care and help with meals and other things. My dad passed away on February 1st at the age of 91. He had been in pain for many years so is now at peace. My dad was definitely the Patriarch of our family and due to his passing, Covid 19 and other family dynamics our family will never be the same again. It would be nice to think there will be a new normal but I don’t see it at this time.
My 91 year old mom lived in their home on her own from February 1st until September 1st when she went into a Care Home. Again, we all (there are four of us) took turns bringing food, taking care of her finances, taking my mom to appts and just generally visiting with her. It has been an adjustment for my mom that has taken a few months. At this time my mom is happy and grateful to have a nice, clean and safe place to live. She has a Studio Apartment which means she has her own private space, lovely meals, supportive staff and of course weekly visits from all of us. We are all so grateful that this has worked out for her.
We spent weeks and weeks cleaning out our parents home, staging it and selling it for well above the asking price. I am so happy that we all worked so well together to make this happen.
Due to cleaning out my parents home, I have been inspired to really look deeper into my own home and see what I can clear out. I really want to live more simply and also just to know what I have when I need it. It’s a work in progress, of course, so this will continue into 2022.
I am feeling so good about my daily yoga and walking practice. It’s really been almost daily and I have lost about twenty pounds that I accumulated around the time of the first Covid wave. I am feeling stronger and healthier every day and this feels like an ongoing practice now.
Another area I feel good about is my home. I found this amazing painter and she painted our bathroom, all of the downstairs rec room and our living room, hallway and dining room ceilings. This just really freshened things up and really helped us to feel good about our home.
I wrote a chapter in a book this year which was a cathartic and healing process for me. It’s a story about a sad and challenging time in my early life, however, it was helpful for me to revisit this time and to reflect on how much it has shaped me to become the woman I am today. Send me a message if you would like the link to download.
I have worked with a number of new clients this year and just recently have moved to Virtual Organizing and I just really love it. As long as my clients are motivated to make change, they are able to develop some new skills and behaviours which really help them to make progress in their homes and in their life.
Loving my Facebook Group Community Declutter Your Life and Mind and feel like the engagement has really stepped up. Did you know that I have been offering (almost) monthly Coffee Chats on Zoom for this Community? They are so fun and such a good way to get to know like minded people. One of our themes for the New Year is “Swedish Death Cleaning” which most of us can relate to. Here is the link to sign up if you would like support and accountability with your own decluttering goals.
I just found out that because of my regular participation in the Professional Organizers Blog Carnival (25 or more posts – I can’t even wrap my head around this)- I am now listed as a Professional Organizers Blog Carnival Superstar Blogger! Yay!!
What did you accomplish in 2021? What are you most proud of? Please comment below…….would love to hear from you…….
Would you like to work with me in the New Year? I will help you to gain clarity, make room for what matters, manage your time, energy and belongings. Accountability will help you to develop the skills and behaviours to move forward. Schedule a free 30 minute call with me today!
Sounds like a very productive year, Kim. How lucky your Mom is to have you and your family to support her through that transition. Your timing was excellent with selling the house as well, which must feel good to all involved.
I agree that working for others reminds me to keep clearing out my own stuff. I’m always pressuring my husband to get rid of more. He’s more reluctant, but we are making progress!
Thank you Seana, I feel very blessed with the way that everything turned out. I am so inspired by others, especially when I work with my clients. It also helps me with clients when I work on my own stuff. We can inspire others (family and clients) as we do our own work. Many thanks
Kim- What a year you’ve had! It’s incredible to see how much resilience you had in the face of so much sadness. My heart goes out to you for the loss of your father. I understand what you mean about the shift in life and family dynamics when someone so significant is gone. So much of what you wrote resonates with me. We’ve had many similar experiences including losing a parent (my mom died in March at 92,) switching to Virtual Organizing, clearing out and selling our parents’ home, and feeling the need to lighten up in my own life (both physical objects in our home and my body.)
Congratulation so on your many accomplishments and for making the most of a challenging year!
Linda, Awe, so nice to hear that my post resonates with you. It sounds like we have had many similar situations and knowing that can really help us to not feel so alone. I am sorry about the loss of your mother. It is so hard to lose our loved ones and it really does change everything and of course we have hope for positive changes in the future as well. I always love your posts. Thank you so much!
What a year! We also had a death in the family (my in-law passed in February of 2021), and we cleared out her home and sold it. By the end of the year, we were more relaxed and grateful that we could complete the process even with COVID. We had a great end of the year with a family caroling. And, we didn’t have to cook an entire meal either. =) Congratulations on your accomplishments even during a year of sadness and change.
Thank you so much Sabrina. it sure has been a year of sadness but also of blessings. Also, I realize I am not alone as we all are experiencing life changes.
Kim, you are so generous to share the vulnerability of your year as well as the highlights. I’m sorry for all you’ve gone through, and I hope that this coming year is one of uplift.
Mazel tov on being one of Janet’s SuperStar Bloggers, and for keeping up with your writing, Zooming coffees, and client work. I hope you have a peaceful 2022.