Marilyn Bohn | Creative Organizer

As I was walking one morning, I noticed a neighbor had a beautiful apricot tree heavily laden with fruit. Later I asked her if I could come and pick some. She said she would be happy for me to come and pick. I remember when my mother would bottle apricots every summer. And I did for a few years until I realized no one in my family would eat them. Canning seems to be a dieing art. Another friend who used to bottle fruit and jam said she gave away all her bottles in case she would ever be tempted to bottle fruit again.

Do you have things in your home that you have inherited and you have no place to put them and no intention to display them or have any use for the items? As a professional home and office organizer I see this all the time. Sometimes people take a photo and then get rid of the item. It is always nice when there is someone else in the family or who the person was close to they can give things to. Of if they have no sentimental value, they can be sold. If it is just too hard to get rid of the inherited things, then put them in sturdy plastic boxes, label them and store out of the closets and other places that are always being used for your own things.

There are things we just can’t get rid of and that is O.K., they just don’t have to be taking up space where we work, live and play. Keep them safe and sound, just not in the middle of your current living space. Find a home for them and let them live there. They will be happy and so will you. (Actually the things won’t care, but you do).