GRATITUDE CHAIR: CALM IN THE MIDST OF CHAOS

Today is Thanksgiving Monday — a day that Canadians give Thanks and express Gratitude for the goodness in our lives. For most everyone I know, this has been a different Thanksgiving weekend than usual as we all name ways that the Covid Pandemic has affected us.

In the midst of change and uncertainty, we continue to give thanks as we ponder what all 2020 has meant in all lives. 

Expressing Gratitude can also be a significant part of downsizing, rightsizing and estate organizing.

During those times, I have found it helpful to have a Gratitude Chair. Such a chair is a place of calm in the midst of the fray of sorting, decision-making and chaos where one can sit, have a cup of tea, breathe deep and take a break from the task at hand.  A Gratitude Chair can be especially helpful during estate sorting or downsizing for a parent or older friend when work or emotions may overwhelm us.

Perhaps it is useful in the midst of a pandemic as well. 

What does a Gratitude Chair look like?  For me, it is a designated chair that during the sorting time is not used for any other purpose except to sit and be grateful. It is clear of stacked items or To Do lists. A side table may contain a potted plant or bouquet of flowers, a lovely mug or teapot, and a small notebook.  The chair might face a window so that when you sit there, you can gaze upon something other than the organizing project from which you have taken a temporary leave.

The notebook on the side table could be a Gratitude Journal — a place where we take time each day of the downsizing or organizing or pandemic decision-making to write a few lines of appreciation. A Google search of “gratitude journal” will yield many suggestions of how to approach gratitude journalling.

Perhaps we all could benefit from a Gratitude Chair whether or not we are downsizing, rightsizing or estate organizing. Where might you find yours? 

Happy Thanksgiving!