Clearing Out a Loved One’s Home Without Feeling Overwhelmed
When it’s time to clear out a loved one’s home to prepare it for the real estate market, it can feel completely overwhelming. I recently worked with a wonderful family who had just lost their mother. They wanted to get the house ready for sale as soon as possible and had already started sorting through everything left behind after family members had taken what they wanted.
Pause Before You Organize Everything
The first thing I told them was: Stop.
Yes, stop trying to organize everything—especially the things no one wants. It’s easy to get bogged down trying to categorize and sort through everything, but that’s not where your energy should go right now.
Focus on What Truly Matters First
When clearing out a home, the most important step is identifying the irreplaceables. These are the items that hold sentimental, legal or financial significance, such as:
◈ Cherished family photos & meaningful memorabilia
◈ Essential financial and legal documents
◈ High value items need to be appraised and or distributed to family members
Once you’ve gathered and protected these key items, you can breathe easier knowing the most important things are safe. And if this process is overwhelming for you, if you do not live near the home that needs to be organized in this way, or you are simply to busy to take this on, a professional organizer with the right certifications and expertise can help you.
Bring in Help for the Rest
After securing the irreplaceables, it’s okay to let go and bring in help for managing the remaining items. These can be handled through:
◈ An estate sale
◈ Donation to charitable organizations
◈ Proper disposal of unsalvageable items
You don’t have to do it all yourself.
Consider Your Timeline
If you’re on a tight schedule to put the house on the market, focus on efficiency. Prioritize the essentials and avoid getting lost in sorting through every item. Breaking the process down into manageable stages can make this big task feel less daunting.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
Clearing out a home is physically and emotionally draining. If you feel overwhelmed, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Professional organizers (like me!) can guide you through the process and help lighten the load.
Be Kind to Yourself
This is an emotional and challenging process, so give yourself permission to take it step by step. Whether you’re managing it solo or with support, remember:
✔ Focus on the irreplaceables first
✔ Break the task into stages
✔ Ask for help if needed
If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Visit pinkyjackson.com to schedule a free assessment. We would love to help you with our Onsite Organizing services if you are in the Louisville, KY area or our Virtual Organizing services if you are more remote or prefer to work online.
Pinky Jackson is an Organizing Expert and Decluttering Specialist. She and her team organize homes & small businesses in Louisville, KY. For more information about Pinky’s pricing & services or to schedule your free assessment, go topinkyjackson.com
Photo: Scott Webb @scottwebb
