Maria Mojo Mondays: Clearing Space & Honoring Memories

💛 Hey, Mindset Maverick!

This week, I finally closed the chapter on my parents’ storage unit. After 2 years of holding on, the boxes, the plaques, the photos, the Precious Moments, my Dad’s stamp collection, the keepsakes — they’re gone. And let me tell you, it’s been a ride of emotions I wasn’t quite prepared for.

Decluttering isn’t just about organizing or tidying. It’s about navigating the heart, facing memories, and asking yourself the tough questions:

• Does this bring me joy?

• Would I take this with me if I moved tomorrow?

• Is this only their memories?

• Will I really feel that happy spark when I see it again… or will it just get tucked away in a closet, forgotten?

💥 Here’s the truth:

Some items are easy. Some items make you stop in your tracks. A baby picture of me? Heart-melting (yeah, I was kinda cute if I must say so myself). Photos of my parents smiling? Pure warmth. Keepsakes from my grandparents? Priceless in ways money can’t measure — though a few might even have some value.

My grandfather’s art work - beautiful oil paintings that he did back in 1959, signed by him with my last name on it - priceless. And yes, I kept them. Two of them are hanging in my home. The other four, I am deciding what to do with them. The special frames he made for those 4, I had to remove. But the canvas oil paintings of the leaning tower of pisa, eiffel tower, an Austria snowy mountain scene, etc. make me smile and appreciate his talent (even though I never got to know him because he passed when I was 1 year old).

Mom’s cookbook that she wrote in … now, you may think that would be an easy throw away. But no, my Mom’s heritage was Italian and boy, could she cook! And she hand wrote everything in that cookbook and because she was a foreign language teacher, she put things like “"Magnifique" or “Très bien” next to each recipe she really enjoyed.
This book makes me smile. It reminds me of my Mom and I have it in a place I can look at often. Will there be a time I get rid of it? Sure, there may be. But right now, it brings me back to my happy childhood and Mom’s yummy cooking.

But I did get rid of A LOT. Donated. Shredded. Threw away. Mailing a few special Lion pins to a fellow Lion in New York who knew my Dad and is going to appreciate them WAY more than I will.

Here’s the secret that I reminded myself of while decluttering: the memories aren’t in the boxes. They’re in your heart. Holding onto EVERY physical item isn’t necessary to honor love. What matters is what you carry forward in the most vibrant part of you.

✨ Coaching Tip #1: Ask the right questions
Before you keep or toss, ask yourself:

• Does this item spark a real, emotional memory? (like Mom’s cookbook)

• Does it help me feel connected to my loved one — not just cluttered?

• If I let it go, do I trust the memory will still live in me?

• If I moved, is it worth bringing with me on my next journey?

💡 Coaching Tip #2: Release with intention
Decluttering is a ritual. It’s okay to cry, to pause, to honor what each object meant. Acknowledge the memory, whisper a thank you, then let it go if it doesn’t serve your present or future.

When I donated items locally, before I handed them over to the people who collect them, I thanked them for the joy they brought my parents or me. I also set the intention that they would bless someone else. (Like my Mom’s precious moment collection).

⚡ Coaching Tip #3: Keep the heart, release the space
The physical world is temporary. The memories, love, lessons, and laughter you carry? Eternal. When you release clutter with this perspective, you create freedom in your life — mental, emotional, and physical.

💬 Real Talk:
I felt elation as the storage unit was emptied. Relief. Liberation. But also a little ache. That’s grief + love intertwined. That’s life. And the items I chose to keep? They’re treasures I interact with — photos that make me smile, keepsakes that remind me of joy, the little sparks that bring my family to life in my heart.

And here’s the thing … this process of decluttering my parents’ stuff has inspired me to start the decluttering of all the stuff I have in my closets. I have a whole new perspective on what is really important in the bigger scheme of life.

💡 Your Challenge:
If you have a loved one’s belongings to sort through:

1️⃣ Set aside a block of time — don’t rush.
2️⃣ Keep only what truly sparks joy or connects you to meaningful memories.
3️⃣ Take photos of some of the items you release — the memory stays, the clutter goes.
4️⃣ Reflect, breathe, and honor each emotion that surfaces.

Decluttering is more than cleaning. It’s choosing what lives in your life and heart. It’s reclaiming your space, your energy, and your freedom.

And when you declutter, you make space for more abundance and positive experiences in your life. Everything is energy, right?

⚡ Maria Mojo Boost:
The things we hold don’t define the love we carry. The memories, laughter, lessons, and warmth you store in your heart? That’s eternal. And that’s the real treasure.

Wishing you clarity, peace, and emotional freedom as you navigate what matters most,
~ Maria Lesetz
Your Mindset & Resilience Coach 💛

💛 P.S. This process isn’t easy, and it’s different for everyone. If you’re navigating the belongings of loved ones who’ve passed, or just need guidance through the emotional waves, I’m here to help. Book a time on my calendar or just reply to this e-mail, and we’ll create a compassionate, empowering path together.