I’m often asked, “As a professional organizer, is it easier for you to let things go? You must not have any junk or knick-knacks because you’re the expert in getting rid of clutter.” That’s mostly true, but not the whole story. Value comes in two forms: functional and emotional.

We keep things because they are functional. You might only use your large roasting pan twice a year, but it has a valuable function. We often hold onto things based on the emotional value they provide, which spark our memories. Sometimes the object reminds us of an intention to do something. Other times, we don’t want to get rid of something we spent money on, whether or not it is actually useful in our lives.

I ask my clients to determine the value of the item they are keeping based on the value in two forms: Functional Usefulness and Emotional Attachment.

To illustrate, I’ll tell you a story about myself.

My dad owned a Chinese/Western food restaurant. It was a small neighbourhood eatery, visited by the locals. Think back to the times of Pink Ladies, Fuzzy Navels, Shirley Temples, and Rob Roys.

He had quite the following. There were line-ups out the door every weekend. The community had a strong Scottish clientele. Imagine a Chinese food restaurant hosting Robby Burns Day ceremonies, turning out authentic haggis, and entertaining the sell-out crowds with Highland Dancers.

A loyal patron presented my dad with his own kilt, brought back from Scotland. My Dad wore it every year during the ceremonies. When he passed away, we buried him with his kilt. I remember George, a regular restaurant patron, playing the bagpipes as we followed his casket at the graveyard.

Of all of my dad’s possessions, one thing I kept was this statue, made by another loyal patron — complete with eyeglasses cut out of black construction paper and the black marker scribble for Dad’s mustache. The base of the statute reads “Hamish McChu.”

Just think of me as Linda Chu from Clan McChu!

Dad looks over me each night from atop of my wardrobe in the bedroom. We know that value comes in two forms: functional and emotional. This item is definitely in the ’emotional’ category.