Sorting, Storing, and Starting Anew

Tackling a Different Kind of Work This Holiday Season

Packing up and moving your business might be one of the top sh!ttiest things to have to do as a business owner.

I’ve spent over 100 hours sorting through all of the things I’ve acquired in my business over the last 12 years. 

Back last spring, I decided to wind down my company Third Piece.  It was time, after years of pivoting and adapting, I didn't want to do it anymore.

But when you own a business, you can't exactly give your two weeks' notice and walk away.  

Shutting it down is something that can take months, sometimes years to resolve and close everything out. 

Now’ regular’ moves are exhausting, but moving a business that's shutting down is a whole nother beast. 

Everything is essentially an inventory - from frames, to the glasses, yarn…each piece is an asset and something that may be of value…it’s and also a reminder of all your past dreams and thing that need to be dealt with.

And I had been holding onto some stuff!

So its taken some time to sort through and decide 

• Can this be sold?

• Should it be donated? 

• Does it go into storage, or do I just throw it out?

It’s been the type of work that feels really painstaking. I’ve had to psyche myself up both physically and mentally to get the last few items out of my studio and into storage, but as of yesterday everything is done.

Despite this being one of the more physically gruelling few weeks, its been one of the most peaceful Decembers I’ve had.

Historically, December is a pretty tough month for me.  It’s the month of my birthday on top of the holidays…It’s just not a month that holds a lot of fond memories for me. 

As an adult, I often coped by burying myself in work and would use this time to lean into my workaholic tendencies.  

But last year, I decided that I didn't want to do that. 

I wasn't going to do that any more. 

I was done with having a business centered around a chaotic holiday season; one that would leave me feeling worse than the year before.

So this December was different.

I’ve been focused on selling off the remaining inventory, finding new homes for the furniture and fixtures, and it’s been helpful to be present at home.

And for the first time, things are feeling at ease. 

It’s been nice, there’s a sense of peace that’s in my brain and body I’ve never really experienced before 

The whole process has been a whirlwind with lots of emotions.  At times it can feel a bit sad, but then feels oddly liberating at the same time.

As a founder, this has been the biggest and hardest move I've made to date. 

The process has taught me so much about not only starting a business but actually having to stop and end a business is a whole separate set of skills that have opened my eyes to shape how I want to build my next business. 

I think at the end of the day, it’s teaching me what I need to learn next and it’s all meant to be a lesson.

…thats what I tell myself.

Wishing you a very happy new year.