Inherited items can be a burden or an opportunity for meaningful action. Don't let the burden of managing inherited items weigh you down. In this episode, we give you actionable tips for managing inherited items and practical advice to help you take control.
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In this episode we talk about:
- Efficient decision making
- The compassionate side of organizing
- How to empower yourself to make smart decisions
Mentioned in this Episode:
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The Organized & Productive podcast is brought to you by The Organized Flamingo and hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger! For those of you who love the thought of organizing & being more productive, but don’t know where to start or constantly up against hurdles that don’t let you advance the way you want to, this podcast is for you!
Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast
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Review the transcript:
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:00:00]:
Hi, my beautiful friends. Welcome to our episode this week here at Organized and Productive. This week, we are talking and tackling inherited items. So we we are talking more specifically about managing the items that you have acquired. We've talked about this topic before, but not in this way. And the reason this one is different is because I'm going to give you 3 things that you could be doing to get a handle on the items that you're not responsible for, but you're not sure what to do with. So this is the type of episode where we give you very quick actionable tips as opposed to explanation of the why and the behind the scenes and and, you know, more of, like, the the pre and and prep. This is more, okay, you are overwhelmed with the stuff that you are now responsible for.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:00:52]:
You inherited it. You helped someone downsize, and now it's at your house, and you need to do something about it. So let's talk about the 3 things that you can be doing right now that are under your control so that you can start getting a handle of it, creating a plan for it. Before we dive into the tips, let me give you some announcements and remind you of a couple of things that we've got going on that I think will be of interest to you. We have our free workshop coming up on August 21st, and it's all about organizing and loving your home 25 minutes at a time. This is a great workshop, again, free workshop where we can talk about what are some tasks that you can be doing in short sprints that will give you big impact in your organizing journey. And this is especially very important and a really good workshop to attend if you have to manage things for other people. You're helping other people organize.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:01:49]:
So that could be because you're a caretaker, because you have a loved one that you're helping downsize or organize or maybe just a friend that needs some help. Because when you take on someone else's responsibilities and other people's, you know, either tasks or big projects like this, they can be very overwhelming in our our own lives. So what I I want you to take care of yourself. I don't want you to be over overwhelmed, so this workshop is going to be great so that you can set boundaries, and you can also keep the time that you're doing all these tasks under control. Like, you're not just getting carried carried away, that you you're not, you know, taking everything out of the garage for the friend, for the if you're your loved one, and then still overwhelmed with stuff that even the best, most organized person will feel like it's too much. So this is a great episode for that to remind you that that you can do it. You just sometimes need to have some boundaries and you need to learn how to do tasks under a certain amount of time and pick the tasks that will give you big actionable steps at the end. Like, you can actually see results as you go along, so it's not so overwhelming.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:03:05]:
So join us on August 21st. The second quick announcement is we have the whole Organize and Cherish brand that is being developed. We've all I've talked about it in a couple of the episodes, and if you follow us on Instagram, this has been in the works since the spring. And, basically, organize and cherish is a it's the side of the organized flamingo where we really help people help other people downsize, organize, and declutter. So this goes to all of you, the sandwich generation, the friend that always is the one that is so organized is always helping other people organize, but they're not necessarily doing this as a full time job per se. Okay? So you're a pro at this, but it's really for the love and appreciation you have for the people around you. So, we are providing you with resources on how to help other people. One of those resources is the compassionate conversations and the decision tree.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:04:00]:
So those 2 are 2 freebies you can download now, and they help you have those really tough conversations with other people or find the words to say and to talk about it with other people. Because I think what happens is when you, don't do this like every day or professionally, if you will, sometimes we get stuck in our own ways and we don't remember that other people view things differently. So I help you on how to word it a little bit differently so it makes sense to them. Having worked with people in this industry for so many years. I understand the psychology on the other end. Like, what will move the needle for you? So the compassionate conversations is a great tool for you to talk to other people and actually make some movement in the organizing, downsizing, and decluttering journey. The other one is the decision tree. The decision tree can be a great resource for you to have almost like a game with others when they're having a hard time figuring out if they should keep it or let it go.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:05:03]:
So this can absolute both of these resources can absolutely help you in your organizing journey, but if you are starting to get better and better in practice and practice, and you need help with other people, then the organize and cherish side of the Organize Flamingo is going to be perfect for you. So go check us out there at organize and cherish.com and or download the freebies that are down in the show notes. Okay. Let's get to the tips. Okay. So I've got 3 of them for you, and then, we'll all explain along the way. So here we go.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:05:36]:
Welcome to the organized and productive podcast with the organized flamingo. I'm your host, Stephanie, a professional organizer and productivity expert. Ready to explore the right organizing and productivity solutions for you? Yeah? Well, then let's go.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:05:52]:
Okay. So the the three tips are the efficient sorting, the second is creating a simple inventory, and then the third is finding new meaningful homes for belongings. Now 2 of these subjects have already been addressed at length in other episodes, so I will be putting them in the show notes. We've talked about inventory, all about inventory, about 1, 2, 3 episodes ago. So I will, put that in the show notes so that you can follow along. So we've already talked about that. But I want to give you more of the quick things you could be doing with the inventory, and how to decide which one you're going to be using. So that's a little bit of the difference between this episode.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:06:34]:
Then the second tip that we've already talked at length that I will put in the show notes is the sorting. So we've done 2 episodes on sorting. We've talked about because sorting is one of our steps in our 7 steps of organizing almost anything, which is our framework here at the Organized Flamingo. So we have an entire episode on sorting and how to do that, and then we have an episode on sorting books, But more but but that episode in that episode, we talk about going beyond the Dewey Decimal. So how to find your main category, then how to find a subcategory that makes sense to you when you are sorting through things and then putting them away because you have to put them away in a way that makes sense so that you can go find it. That is the the key piece of organizing is when you can find the things you need when you need them as efficiently as possible. So it's about the retrieval as well. So you you can you can be the most organized person in your mind, but if you can't easily go get it, fetch it, find it, then at the end, you are really just tidy and clean and or clean, not the same, but you could just be a very tidy person.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:07:45]:
That doesn't mean you're organized. Okay? So I want you to make sure that you can find the things that you need when you need them as efficiently as possible. And so we do have those 2 episodes already available for you in the past, but it's part of today's conversation. So I'll talk about them very quickly within the tips. And then the last is finding the new meaning meaningful homes for belongings. We have all different types of episodes on this, on donating, how to prepare for donations, and things like that. So we do have other episodes that go into more detail, but this is just going to at the end of this particular episode, you will have more clarity over what to do next, and you you will be able to remove the definite next step noes. Like, what are your definite noes? Which is really important in organizing because when you have a a very clear no, you can eliminate that out of your ecosystem of this journey and have less overwhelm of our decision making.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:08:47]:
And then, of course, understanding your options. So just knowing that you do have options so that you don't feel so limited. But that's what my hope is for the end of this episode. Alright. So let's get to the first. Okay. So one of the first things I want you to do so that you can have a little bit more clarity and have those definite noes is to sort smart. So find the way that makes sense.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:09:09]:
You know, you're sorting smart. But the 3 the triage, like, the the big one that everyone talks about, like, the 3 that everyone talks about that has very effective is for you to have the 3 sections of the keep, maybe, and let go. Right? Like, the the triage of decision making. But the reason they're so popular and the reason they work is because they allow you to make decisions very quickly. So I want you to have a goal in mind with what you're sorting and why. What is it that, at the end of the day, you're trying to achieve? Because when we're going through the sorting phase, there's the emotional factor of the sentimental value and decision fatigue, which means that and or you can have both. 1 is you go through things and they bring up old memories. So that's the sentimental value, and it delays the process of deciding because you just end up reminiscing and adding more time and fatigue to the whole process, and that is not fun for anyone.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:10:09]:
The second is the decision fatigue, and decision fatigue has to do with when you have so many decisions to make, you get tired and overwhelmed that you make 0 decisions. And then you're left with making more of a mess and feeling more overwhelmed. So what I want you to do is have very quick sections like the keep, maybe, and let go. Those are the beacon of what we do when it comes to decluttering because it's the fastest. I want to keep this. I'm not sure, and this is a for sure. So I want you to first just have a goal, and then secondary to that, within that goal, is to make sure that you have a plan of how you will be sorting it, which is tied to your goal. If if keep, maybe, and let go are not the decision boxes, have something else.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:10:58]:
Make them 3. Don't make them more any more than 5 because once you get more to more than 5, studies have shown that you will get into the decision fatigue that I just talked about. So I want you to have, like, a 3 box section that, makes sense to you. Maybe it's for you. Maybe you're not throwing anything away. Maybe right now, you're trying to decide who these items go to, So decide what your goal is, and then the goal will then give you the sorting strategy. And, I just talked about, like, who if you are trying to decide in going through inherited items that are going to different family members, maybe each of those boxes are the names of the family members, or even if it's stuff that, you know, maybe you're, a parent who your child or children have outgrown some of their stuff and you have you know, you would kind of inherited, stuff from other friends maybe as they you know, all friends kind of start sharing their clothing and toys and you start to get, you know, all these inherited items from your relatives and friends. Like, we have a neighbor who always gives us these amazing toys, and I'm so grateful for it.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:12:04]:
But some of the toys are, my son is outgrowing. So maybe you have your triage or your boxes of letting go or the next phase of sorting is, okay. I'm going to give this toy, these toys to this friend and this friend and this friend, and so you have the boxes each labeled, so you have an identity to where these things are going. That's why it works so well because you you can visualize where and who it's going to. For some of you, the sorting piece here is going to be so specific like this. You know, right now, I am in the decluttering phase. So for sure, I I want them to go. I am not keeping anything.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:12:44]:
And so for you, the labels of those boxes will be to specific organizations, maybe the theater company, the Goodwill, the Arc, the whatever local thrift store is, your consignment store, your local charity. You will name that box so specific that you can visualize yourself picking up the box or the bags and putting it in your car and taking to that taking it to them and them giving you some kind of, you know, gratitude or or reaction to this stuff. Like, you can visualize everything because you know exactly who it will go to. So that's why I want you to have a very specific goal and a very specific sorting strategy before you even get started. That's tip number 1. 1 a and 1 b. Let's go to the second. Okay.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:13:30]:
The second tip to start making very quick decisions and know and and having a no pile is ask yourself if you are going to need an inventory of some sort. And then the second part of this is going to be how how detailed does it need to be. Sometimes in your mind, you have this I'm gonna give you a couple of scenarios. Okay? So sometimes you will have this image in your mind or this thought or idea that these items are so special to you that you want to keep the memory alive. But that doesn't mean you have to inventory. That does not mean you have to take a picture of it. It's that you want. So the first part of this is asking yourself and being honest with yourself, do I have to take inventory of this? Not just go through it and and take mental inventory.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:14:22]:
I'm talking literal, have to type out what's in the box, take pictures. Some of the reasons you do have to are for insurance purposes. Other reasons are going to be for, you know, the documentation for the family. Like, if this is a you know, if other family members need to know what was in that area, the the boxes, the the house, whatever maybe. Another reason why you might have to is for financial value, not just insurance, but more either tax purposes because they need proof that you have it or and or financial purposes. You know, talk to your financial advisers about this. But there are reasons or legal reasons why you might have to. But then the other, which is most the most scenarios, is that you want to.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:15:12]:
You just want to know what's in there. You want to keep track of it. And so if you are in the category of the want, this is what you would like to do, the questions are going to be a little different, like how much does it cost, is it worth it, pros and cons. You will start making a list, but a want list. And this is where maybe you do have the time, and every time there's a sale over, you know, your favorite, like, organizer local organizer, or maybe a software that you want to use, then you will take advantage because that way, they can come do it for you when the price is right or when it's a good time for you, so you have more flexibility over the cost and the time. But for some of you, if it's a have to, like, I have to take inventory of this stuff, some of you are not making decisions because you know you have to, and you're delaying the process. And so I want you to make a very quick decision here over. Do you have to or do you want to? And then going down that journey instead of trying to combine the 2 because you have to and you want to, and now you make 0 attempts to to organize it, to keep to get a handle of all this.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:16:24]:
You just make no decisions at all because of decision fatigue. So I want you to make a very clear decision. Now there are different ways to inventory, and so I made the whole episode over, a couple of episodes ago. So check that out. I give you options. I give you some things to consider when you are trying to pick the right inventory. But this is the but the quick exercise here to make quick decisions is and to have more clarity is to be honest with yourself. Do you have to take inventory or do you want to? And then move forward from there.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:16:59]:
Okay. Let's go to our next step. Okay. So the third thing that I want you to consider, which will make it much easier for you to move forward, is finding new homes, meaning figure out what it is that you where you want the stuff to go. I talked about it in tip number 1. Like, have a very specific visual of who and where you want the stuff to go once you understand what's in it. But the quick the quick action on this is, do you want to get money for it? Like, do you wanna get paid for it? Do you think this stuff would sell? You know? Do or are you okay with being able to just give it away? Here's why those are the 2 quick decisions here. One is is a path of time.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:17:43]:
If you're looking to get financial money back from these items, there is an entire path you will need to take, which is making sure that it's that it's worth whatever you're trying to sell it for, posting it, taking pictures of it, or hiring someone to do it for you, getting it appraised, getting it insured, making sure, you know, all of those things that will make it worth for someone to buy, especially if you're talking about antiques or vintage items. But if even if they're not, even if they're just common things that you would like to get some money back for it, then you still need to take a picture. It takes time. Take a picture, get the posting up, have it go live, wait for the person to buy it, or if you will be doing a garage sale or a flea market type of, booth, then you need to get all the stuff together and, you know, go and and carried it out and put it out. So it takes time. I'm not saying it's not worth it. I love it. You know I I love a good garage, so we have an entire series over this, but it takes time.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:18:43]:
And so when you're trying to get financial value back from something, then that is a a different path than if you are at a point where you're ready to give it away or to donate it. And by giving it away, could you can get value back. It just won't be in the form of dollar bills. It might be in either emotional value back, satisfaction, or feel good, value. It could be that, it could be, you know, for under someone's name. Like, the value is different. So I'm not saying you're not getting anything back. It's just going to look a little different.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:19:20]:
That path is also separate because giving it away is not always just free. It's not it cannot be assumed that the stuff you have is of value to anybody. So you do need to do a little research. It's just that it might be faster and or less complicated than if you're trying to get money back. Now some some of the things I want you to consider when you're giving it away is if if it's in good shape, if it's not. Some of these things need to be, you know, cleaned and not in bad shape. Like, if you're trying to give away all these old pillows that belong to your loved one when they were sick, that is going to be a very difficult thing to give away because they might now need they to be thrown away. They might be hazardous, and not sanitary.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:20:11]:
So I want you to be really honest about the stuff that you're giving away. And if you need help, give us a call or ask the local charity and just ask or go to their website and say, hey. What did what do you accept? What does it need to look like? Send them a picture and say, would you be interested in this? If you're not sure, some of you, especially when it comes to fabrics and, textiles, you think that, well, I could just send it to the local shelter, like animal shelter. That's not necessarily the case. So you if you're not sure, take a picture and send it their way and see if they will accept it. So the exercise here for very quick decision making is, 1, do you wanna get money out of it, or do you are you ready to give it away? And if you're ready to give it away, there is a little bit of an asterisk. What are you willing to do to give it away? Because sometimes you will need to pay to get a truck or a junk type of hauler or just a regular hauler to take the stuff and send it or take it to the charity or to wherever you need it to go. So it's not that it's completely free.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:21:19]:
Everyone assumes that the local charity, the Goodwill, the ARC, the wherever you are in in in the world, whatever your local charity, they will come pick it up for free. That's not always the case. So I want you to have a little asterisk of how much are you willing to, to give it away or, you know, what are you willing to do so that it could be it can go to the right home. Now the last part of this is sometimes things are just meant to be trash, or if you're not able to pay for the hauling, you know, if if the local charity won't pick it up from you and you don't have the means or ability or time or desire to to deliver it to them, then you might just need to post it for free and say, hey. You know, it's available until this Friday. Come pick it up. It's in my driveway. And then after that, it's gone, or you might just have to throw it away and just take the next step for that so that it does not continue to live in your space and clutter it up.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:22:17]:
And this is especially true when it's very large homes or spaces or storage areas that there is no way that you can move all of that back into your house or apartment or space. Like, it just would be too much. So sometimes those decisions have to be very quick, and if you can't find the right home for it and you're not getting money off of it, then the next is just going to be, hey, everyone. It's free. Here it is. You have until this date. Come pick it up. And if not, then it will need to be, you know, sent to the trash or something like that.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:22:50]:
So quick decisions is the theme of today's episode. If you have the time and this is too much, don't you worry. I don't want you to make decisions based based out of, desperation or out of frustration. But if you're looking for quick tips, like, I need to make decisions right now, then this episode is the episode for you to start making those quick decisions over that stuff. Alright. Easy peasy. That was a quick one. Quick actionable steps.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:23:21]:
Let me know if you are overwhelmed, and if so, if this was helpful with the stuff that you've inherited and or you're trying to figure out what to do, because I want you to feel better about your decisions. I want you to feel smart and empowered to make those decisions yourself, and these episodes are dedicated to you. So I really hope that it helped. Let us help you along the way. If you need any other resources, let us know. Until next time, happy organizing.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:23:49]:
Thank you for listening to the organized and productive podcast with the organized flamingo. If you enjoyed today's episode, I would love it if you leave a rating and review on your favorite podcast player. It helps with letting people know that we're here. For full show notes and resources, head on over to the organized flamingo.com/podcast.
Stephanie Y. Deininger [00:24:07]:
Happy organizing.
