Dealing with the Aftermath

adding to the family lineage

We talk a lot about preparing for a big event. The event might be a special vacation, a wedding, a reunion, or a big party.

We put together our list of “to dos” and our timeline. We envision how we want the event to go and do everything we can to make it happen just right.

The event happens. And it is wonderful!

But then, suddenly, we are dealt with the aftermath.

For something even as simple as a vacation, it can be overwhelming.

We arrive home from our trip and now we have tasks to do that are added onto our need to function in our real world. So, along with our normal routine of going to work, paying bills, etc. we might be looking at:

·        Picking up a pet from boarding

·        Taking a card/gift to the neighbor who watched our house, brought in our mail, and/or watered our plants

·        Unpacking our suitcases and putting them away

·        Doing up laundry from the vacation

·        Getting in some groceries that we need immediately

·        Dealing with the mail that has accumulated while we were gone

·        Organizing pictures and putting away any souvenirs

Meanwhile we must try to get enough sleep and carry on.

Let’s look at what the aftermath might look like for a bigger event.

I just hosted a family reunion. I have been planning this event for six months. I had my spread sheets and timelines. I worked those plans and the reunion was everything that I had hoped for.

Now, almost 2 weeks after, I am still dealing with the aftermath.

My task list looked like this:

·        Bedding to wash for 2 beds and a couch

·        Towels to wash for 5 people plus kitchen linens

·        7 tablecloths to clean and put away – 3 were borrowed and needed to be returned

·        7 tables to clean and put away – 2 were borrowed and needed to be returned

·        7 flower arrangements to toss and clean up vases

·        22 chairs to put away – 12 folding chairs were borrowed and needed to be returned

·        5 coolers to wash out - 2 to return and 3 to put away

·        A corn toss game that needed to be wiped down and returned

·        2 sets of dishes (24 large, 15 dessert) to put away on high shelves along with multiple serving pieces

·        Table ware used just for parties to be sorted out and put away in container

·        Leftover food to evaluate and either use up, toss, or freeze

·        Leftover beverages to find homes

·        Grocery store run to pick up some basics to get through the week

·        Pictures that had been pulled to display needed to be put away

·        Family linage tree taken down off wall

·        Toy boxes to put away – and trying to fit in one more rather large bubble machine that was gifted

·        1 tent to wipe down, take down and box up and return to person who loaned it to me

·        General reset of each room in the house

·        Pictures to share with participants of reunion

Meanwhile, that first week after the reunion I had a doctor appointment, a NAPO meeting where I led a Roundtable Discussion on the book Late to Your Own Funeral, 3 clients, a lunch and learn class with Diane Quintana, an acupuncture appointment, and a hair appointment plus the usual day to day routines.

How am I handling the aftermath so that it does not overwhelm me?

First, I understand that this is going to take a while.

Then:

·        Make a list of all that needs to be done

Love my lists. I can add to it as I remember more things that need to be done and I can cross off items when they are completed.

·        Prioritize list

Food items needed a fast decision unless they were all going to end up in the toss category. Next on the list were items that needed to be returned immediately either because the person was taking them when they left the reunion or were going to need them soon.

·        Break down tasks into smaller bits

Sometimes it was just gathering like items together, like the dishes and tableware. Putting it away was a later task that I needed help with. Laundry was done in batches.

·        Schedule tasks

Some tasks I needed help with. I contacted my friend and fellow organizer Tami Puckett and my son to help me take down the tent and carry heavy items to the shed. We needed to coordinate available times to schedule the work. Tasks that I could do on my own were just listed with the intended time I planned on doing them.

·        Work with the understanding that it will take time and that is OK

I actually felt good throughout the process because I was able to pretty much stay on my schedule.

Planning for the aftermath of a big event is not an afterthought. It’s an important step in closing the loop and putting closure to the event.

Without a plan you may face a messy home for a long time and possibly lose track of items that you have borrowed.

By knowing in advance that there will be extra work to reset your home, you can relax and take time to complete the tasks and look at the pictures without that feeling of overwhelm. I am still having fond remembrances of the reunion and enjoying follow up chats about the pictures.

If you want help or just some accountability in planning an event, completing a project, organizing a space in your home, or managing your time contact me for the best way to meet your needs.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.