Walking Through Memories: The Heart Behind an Estate Sale
For the past week—and until this Saturday—I’ve had the privilege of working with a truly wonderful client on her estate sale. Estate sales aren’t just about clearing out a home or selling things. They’re about stories, memories, and emotions. You walk into a life built over decades—every item, every trinket, every photograph has meaning.
In my business, I’ve always said that I’m a seller of memories. Usually, that means helping people find pieces that remind them of something they once loved or experienced. But during an estate sale, that takes on a whole new meaning. This time, I’m not just selling items that remind someone of a memory — I’m selling items that are someone’s memories.
And that’s not always easy.
I’ve never been someone who holds onto a lot. I believe in keeping a healthy connection to the things that matter — not everything needs to stay with us forever. But helping others get to that place of peace can be hard. Still, walking down the path of those memories with them — listening to the stories, hearing the laughter, sometimes even the tears — is incredibly rewarding.
It’s important for people to understand that when they let go, they’re not losing their memories. Those memories stay with them. The item simply goes on to bring joy to someone else. And honestly, isn’t that beautiful?
If letting go feels difficult, take a photo. Write down the story that goes with the piece. Share it with your loved ones. Then pass it on. Not everything will find a perfect home — some pieces might end up in a garage sale or thrift store, and that’s okay. What matters is the love, the life, and the story that item already had.
Cherish what you keep. Display it proudly. Talk about it. Let it start new conversations. When you do, you create new memories while preserving the old ones — and one day, when it’s time for those items to move on, someone like me will be there to help them find their next loving home.