I was hooked by the title – “6 Life Lessons I learned from My Mom (That Still Guide Me Today)”
C.Lee Cawley is a certified professional organizer whom I follow, have gotten to know a bit more personally and whose trainings have benefitted me greatly.
Mother’s Day is upon us, and I do also reflect on my mother and her life. And yes, she was quite different from C.Lee’s mom, but I always love to hear special “Mom” stories. I have C.Lee’s permission to share her blog with you.
C.Lee’s mom, in her words,” was, quite simply, one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known. Born in 1917, she lived through the Great Depression, raised my older sisters as a single mother during World War II, traveled the world, and made it all the way to 2016, just one month shy of her 99th birthday, with grace, grit, and a sense of purpose that never quit.”
What a beautiful brief bio that is – just what I, Candy, want to create for each of my ancestors in my family history album. But especially for those who were in my immediate family and personally known to me.
And yes, I will share the wisdom C.Lee’s mom provided. Here are C.Lee’s words:
She stopped going to school at age 14. Her wisdom didn’t come from textbooks. It came from a life that was full, hard, joyful, and richly lived. And so many of the lessons she taught me still show up in my work and my life every single day.
Here are six of my favorites.
- Always Know Where the Exit Is
This one might sound a little dramatic, but for Helen, it was just common sense. She grew up in the shadow of the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and safety wasn’t something she took lightly. Whether we were on a plane, in a theater, or wandering through a shopping mall, she’d lean over and quietly ask, “Which way will we go if something happened?”
At the time, I’d roll my eyes a little. Now I do plan automatically. It taught me that peace of mind almost always comes from having a plan, and that being prepared isn’t fearful. It’s smart.
- Make a Routine and Stick With It
My mom was a full-time working mother, and structure was her secret weapon. Sunday was laundry day. Bills were paid on the first and the fifteenth. Dinner was on the table at the same time every evening, without fail.
And you know what? It worked. Routines made life manageable and predictable in a world that often was neither. I’ve carried this lesson straight into my work as a professional organizer. Routines are what keep the chaos from winning.
- Waste Not, Want Not
Food waste was simply not a thing in Helen’s kitchen. She had a dedicated “leftover shelf” in the refrigerator, and she had a gift for turning last night’s dinner into something delicious by lunchtime the next day.
But it was about more than thrift. It was about gratitude. She believed in using what you had, appreciating it, and making it last. Whether it was food, fabric, or furniture, she always found a use for things that others might have tossed without a second thought.
- If You Take It Out, Put It Back
Everything in our home had a place, and everything went back to its place. The scissors, the tape, the aspirin. Always exactly where they should be.
This one simple rule kept daily life running smoothly and eliminated the endless scavenger hunts that drive so many of my clients absolutely crazy. When you know exactly where the tape lives, life is genuinely better. Helen lived this long before “a place for everything” became an organizing catchphrase.
- Make Memories, Not Just Money
My mom was incredibly frugal and a surprisingly savvy investor. But she also knew, deeply and instinctively, what actually mattered. She loved planning special experiences, sponsoring family trips, and creating moments we’d all carry with us long after the occasion was over.
She showed me that joy doesn’t live in stuff. It lives in shared moments. It’s a lesson I think about constantly, both in my own life and in the work I do, helping people let go of things that were never really bringing them happiness in the first place.
- Buy Well, Buy Once
Helen believed in quality over quantity long before anyone was putting that phrase on throw pillows. She bought well-made shoes, coats, and handbags, and then she took care of them. Those items lasted for years, or even decades.
I’ve carried this philosophy into my own life, from kitchen tools to bed linens, and it’s something I share with my clients regularly. Buying less but buying better is one of the most practical and sustainable habits you can build.
This Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating the lasting impact of a strong, wise, amazing woman who shaped me in more ways than I can ever count. She was shy and would have been mortified (but secretly delighted) to be featured in the 5th iteration of this blog post.”
I was so blessed by C.Lee’s sharing and her mother’s wisdom and influence on C.Lee. And you know how much I loved her #5 of Make Memories, Not Just Money. That is what I ‘beg’ people to capture and preserve in their FOREVER albums – memories and descriptions of them for those who come after.
So, not only do I join C.Lee in celebrating all the remarkable women in our lives who may have been our Mom or a special influential woman in our life, but if your Mom or an influential woman in your life taught you something that you live by, share it by preserving it in your or her life story or in a family history album – somewhere permanent (like FOREVER)! Let future generations be blessed by knowing the story and lessons.
Need help? I’m just a “reply” away.
I also recommend you sign up for C.Lee’s “Tip Tuesday” and check out her organizing wisdom.
The tip tuesday sign up link is here.
