1. The Situation
When Darlene Peterson reached out to New Beginnings, she was facing a deeply emotional chapter in her life. Referred by a mutual friend, Darlene was in the process of preparing her Calgary home for sale—but not yet ready for a move. Her husband was hospitalized and would not be returning home, which meant that all decisions around decluttering and organizing the family home fell solely on her shoulders.
What should have been a practical cleanout was weighed down with emotional complexity. Nearly every item carried memories, and letting go was painful. Her daughter offered support during this time, but they both found the task overwhelming. Darlene needed a team that could offer more than just hands-on help—she needed empathy, patience, and respect for the deeply personal nature of the work.
2. Our Solution
We began with a personalized consultation to assess the scope of work and provide a clear estimate. Darlene was upfront about her budget limitations, so we customized our services to focus solely on the main floor. This flexibility allowed us to deliver maximum impact within her budget.
Our support included:
- Decluttering and reorganizing the main level
- Sorting belongings into categories: keep, donate, recycle, and garbage
- Handling and packing donations for delivery to Women in Need
- Removing garbage to the landfill and taking recycling to the appropriate facilities
- Thorough cleaning and reorganizing of every room we worked in
- Collaborative decision-making with Darlene and her daughter at every step
Every interaction was rooted in compassion. We checked in with Darlene regularly, asked about her well-being, and acknowledged how difficult the process was. We also took time to praise her strength and decisiveness as she navigated one of life’s hardest transitions.
Before
After
3. Scope & Project Review
Darlene’s bungalow included two bedrooms, a large kitchen, living and dining rooms, a family room, and two bathrooms—all on the main floor. While the size of the space was typical, the volume of clutter presented a significant challenge.
Initially quoted at 66 hours, we were able to complete the entire main floor project in just 60 hours over the course of three days. The team’s efficiency and strong communication allowed us to stay on track without compromising care or attention to detail.
Highlights included:
- Hidden Treasure: We discovered several hundred dollars in coins and cash tucked in canisters, shoes, and boxes—returned to Darlene with great surprise and gratitude.
- Paperwork Recovery: Important tax documents and personal paperwork were gathered and placed in an accessible spot.
- Memorabilia: Family photos and keepsakes were respectfully collected into a single, safe location.
- Team Effort: Carter and Ben, sons of two team members, supported the project with heavy lifting, errands, and extra cleaning. Their kindness left a strong impression on Darlene.
- Trusted Process: Wendy, Amy, and I operated with seamless coordination. We know each other’s strengths and move from room to room as needed, balancing efficiency with respect for the home’s history.
At the end of the job, we did a complete walkthrough with Darlene to ensure her satisfaction—an important final step that reinforces our commitment to doing things right.
4. Client Testimonial
“The team was polite and approachable. Everything was completed as expected, and they did a good job. Yes, I would absolutely recommend them to others.”
— Darlene Peterson
5. Final Thoughts
This project embodies everything New Beginnings stands for.
We don’t just sort, clean, and haul—we listen, validate, and honour each client’s story. For Darlene, this wasn’t just a decluttering job. It was a turning point. She and her daughter both admitted they had no idea how they would manage the task on their own. When we left, the space was organized, refreshed, and ready for the next chapter.
Darlene’s daughter was visibly relieved that she didn’t have to shoulder the responsibility alone. The emotional toll of this work can’t be underestimated, and our role goes beyond logistics—we help carry the weight.
We honoured Darlene’s past by listening to the stories behind her treasures and carefully storing them. We embraced her future by helping her prepare for her next steps with clarity and support.
This is what a new beginning looks like. And we were honoured to be part of it.
