by Cary Farrell July 28, 2019 When I quote this line to people they immediately realize that I have misquoted it. Of course it should say, “Love PEOPLE and Use stuff.” As the owner of Clutter Free and a professional organizer serving the Triangle area, I understand that this saying does not always transform into reality. Unfortunately, we might agree wholeheartedly with this statement but live out the first one by loving our stuff more than the people in our lives. We don’t really mean to but unless we stop and think about it we do it all the time. Here are just a few examples of loving stuff more than people: Helen and her husband had purchased Waterford crystal glasses on their honeymoon 30 years ago. When I met Helen, her husband had passed away and those glasses bought to celebrate their love had never been out of the box in their Durham home for fear of them being chipped. Instead of drinking out of jelly jars, she decided to start using the Waterford crystal to remember and celebrate the love she shared with her late husband. Shelly’s dad had made beautiful bird houses for her daughters to enjoy in their Chapel Hill home. Shelly was concerned that the bird houses would rot outside so they lovingly sat taking up space in the garage protected from the elements. Shelly realized that her daughters and her dad were missing a sweet bonding time because she was more concerned about the bird houses. She decided to ask her dad to have a special date with each girl to put up their birdhouses outside. What sweet times they will have calling to tell grandpa what kind of bird is living in their birdhouse! Joan had lovingly preserved her children’s toys in her Durham attic for her grandchildren to play with but her fear that the kids would destroy the toys kept them in the attic. Joan realized that she could bring some of the toys down for her grandkids to play with when they visited her which would bring such delight to everyone. Everyone has heard the phrase, “I have never seen a U-Haul behind a hearse.” Your possessions are not going to show up at your funeral to talk lovingly about how well they were cared for. I believe we were created for relationships. May we remember that we are supposed to LOVE people and USE stuff! Organizing and decluttering a Triangle home can free you to enjoy those important relationships in your life. If stuff has become a burden by robbing you of time for loving the people in life but you are overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, contact Clutter Free today!