I attended a funeral last week. It was a lovely send off for a lady who had lived a full and long life. As you do, I mingled with other friends of the family and we had the usual small talk “What do you do?” kinds of conversations. It’s always so interesting to hear about how others spend their time, serve their community, relate to the world, etc. Actually that’s part of the reason I enjoy my work so much. I get to meet a variety of interesting people and we have deep and meaningful conversations.
Anyway, back to small talk. I met a man in his late 70s, and when he asked me what I do, of course I told him about helping people to declutter and get organised. His eyes lit up and he enthusiastically told me about his own recent decluttering experience. After many years of family pressure and him stubbornly resisting, a kind friend had quietly and gently offered to help, and then together they had taken action. It had taken a few months of weekly visits and a good deal of elbow grease, but they finished with his wardrobe, and he proudly told me that he now had only clothes that he felt comfortable in and which were clean and in good repair. He certainly looked dapper at the funeral.
He was thrilled with the result, and declared, “I wish I’d done it sooner!”
I congratulated him and told him his friend should talk to me about a career as a professional organiser. I’d happily train someone who had made such a positive difference in his life. But he said she was in her 70s also and unlikely to be looking for a new career!
The point is, it’s never too late to make a change, and it’s never too late to accept help. Also, if nagging hasn’t made a difference, it’s time to try something else.
