My mother’s boxes have been in the same place since we moved her into our home for hospice care in October 2024.

Initially, they didn’t bother me, but over time, I felt like I was living in an episode of “Hoarders.” Since her death on Nov.11, 2024, I’ve struggled to find the motivation to sort through them.

After the New Year, I finally felt ready to tackle one, but they remained untouched as my husband and I got used to their presence.

While my mother was in hospice care at home, I cleared out many items to make space for her. Once an organized workspace for my schoolwork and business, my room became her temporary living space. This room had been my sanctuary, filled with cherished belongings.

Since my mother’s passing, I’ve noticed a shift in my organized approach to life and now feel indifferent toward it. This experience has changed my perspective.

I prioritize keeping only the things I genuinely need to minimize clutter. I don’t want to leave my possessions as a burden for others when I pass away. I’m mindful of my legacy and strive to leave as little as possible for those who remain to manage.

I became interested in going through one of Mom’s boxes, but it took me over a day to make any progress.

Helping her decide what to do with her belongings used to be easy, but now I felt stuck.

I moved items between boxes without accomplishing much.

My favorite things no longer appealed to me and my room felt empty since my Mom had passed away there.

Everything has felt different since then.

After battling a cold with my husband, we cleared the clutter and moved the boxes to the basement over two days. Since we moved them, I’ve felt much better.

While the boxes still contain Mom’s belongings and my things, it’s a relief not to see them all the time.

Dealing with items left behind by loved ones can be challenging. Knowing that the boxes are stored away helps me manage the clutter and cope with my loss.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, finding a safe place to store the boxes to restore order is essential. Aim to sort through one box at a time and set a goal to complete this by the end of the year.

I take responsibility for these entrusted boxes and want to handle this process personally to avoid burdening my family or friends. Acknowledging the emotional weight and significance of the contents, I plan to approach this task with care and thoughtfulness.

If you have any boxes you are responsible for, please take action for the sake of your family. While setting the boxes aside temporarily is acceptable, it is vital to address these responsibilities eventually.

Taking care of this task reduces stress for your loved ones and relieves them of figuring out what to do with items they may not be familiar with.

Stashing the boxes away is fine, but remember to return to them and tackle one box at a time.

In the future, your family will appreciate your thoughtfulness and responsibility in managing this task.

Roberta Cykon is a Youngstown State University graduate and a licensed social worker and gerontologist. Roberta is in her second three-year term with the Trumbull County Senior Service Advisory Council. If you have any topics or questions you would like Roberta to discuss email her at rmcykon01@gmail.com.