What’s It Really Worth? Rethinking Value in Our Homes and Lives

Let me tell you a mildly embarrassing story.

For ten years—yes, ten—I held onto my college class notes and textbooks. Astronomy, physics, some stray printouts from a philosophy elective I forgot I even took. I don’t work in that field. I never have, and I never will. But there they sat: packed neatly into plastic bins, shuffled from apartment to apartment, each time claiming about 10% of whatever closet space I had to work with.

I told myself they were important. That they were proof of how hard I’d worked. That I might need them again someday. (Spoiler alert: I never did.)

What I didn’t realize was that those bins weren’t just taking up space in my closet—they were taking up mental space, too. Every time I opened the door, they whispered, “Remember when you used to do this? Why haven’t you done more with it?” They were quietly expensive—not only in dollars (like 40,000 of them), but in guilt, space, and headroom.

And that, my friend, is what I want to talk about today: value.

Not price.
Not trendiness.
Not what it used to mean.

I’m talking about the kind of value that matters now—in your actual life.

Let’s Redefine What “Valuable” Means

Here’s the thing: Just because something was valuable doesn’t mean it still is. And just because something cost you money doesn’t mean it owes you a lifetime of guilt-fueled storage.

We tend to treat our stuff like a weird emotional math equation:

"This cost $80 + It was a gift = I must keep it forever or I’m a bad person."

But the reality? If it’s not serving you anymore—if it’s not being used, appreciated, or at least enjoyed—it might be time to let it go.

Because true value isn’t what you paid for it. It’s what it gives you now.

When You Hire Help, You’re Buying Peace—Not Just Time

Let’s talk services for a second.

When someone hires me to help organize or clean their home, they’re not just hiring hands. They’re hiring peace of mind.

They’re buying back decision-making energy. Emotional capacity. A little more time to breathe, be present with their kids, or sit down without their brain screaming about the laundry pile.

Value Is Also Found in the Right Products

Let’s clear something up: I'm not anti-stuff.

In fact, I love a good product recommendation—when it solves a real problem. Like the $12 bin that keeps your kid’s art supplies from being a tornado across the dining table. Or the label maker that finally gets everyone to put things back where they belong (mostly).

Value doesn’t mean minimalist or frugal. It means intentional.

If it saves you time, reduces friction, or makes your space easier to enjoy—that is a good investment.

Emotional Clutter Costs More Than You Think

Sometimes the real clutter isn’t the physical object.
It’s the feelings attached to it.

The guilt of letting go of grandma’s old serving dish.
The shame of seeing the jeans that haven’t fit in five years.
The fear of wasting money on something you “should have used.”

But here’s what I’ve learned working with dozens of real homes, real people, real emotions:

Letting go doesn’t waste the money. Keeping it out of guilt wastes your peace.

You deserve a home that supports who you are now—not who you used to be, or who you thought you should be by now.

Want to Know What’s Actually Valuable?

✔️ A drawer that opens easily without the contents attacking you.
✔️ A shelf that holds exactly what you need—no more, no less.
✔️ A closet that reflects your real life, not the life you thought you’d have.
✔️ A home that’s easy to care for because it’s not overflowing.
✔️ Systems that don’t rely on you being at your absolute best every single day.

Those things? They’re not flashy. They’re not expensive. But they are so valuable.

And most importantly: they’re possible.

Final Thought: What Is It Costing You to Keep?

The next time you’re holding something—an item, a habit, even a mindset—ask yourself:

What is this costing me to keep?

Time?
Space?
Energy?
Joy?

Because value isn’t just about what something gives you. It’s also about what it takes.

And if it’s taking more than it gives… maybe it’s time to let it go.

🌿 About the Author

Hi, I’m Jocelyn—the heart behind Tidy On Your Terms. I help people create home systems rooted in self-love, not shame. My work blends cleaning and organizing with nervous system support, forgiveness, and flexibility—because your space should feel like peace, not pressure.

📖 Bring Encouragement Into Your Home

Looking to bring some encouragement into your space?
Check out the paperback Tidy On Your Terms here—a soft, supportive introduction to our approach.