Erin's goal is not just to help people get their homes organized and beautiful but to help them recover from loss.
When Erin lost her Grandmother it was her first encounter with that type of loss - losing something that feels like your home, your being. Grief came at her in a very strong way and has never left.
She wondered how we as a community and culture really show up for someone who is grieving.
She was studying in seminary but realized that she was not meant to be a preacher. She had many interests such as working with the homeless, women's health. That is what she wanted to do - to serve the community.
She found a way to harness her understanding of grief recovery and provide a service to the community. Her business did not start out as a way to make money, but a way to serve the community. When individuals are healthy and happy it contributes to a healthy and happy community.
She shared some individual stories of people she has helped. It is not about going into someone's space and purging - it is about listening to their stories, understanding their grief, and finding a way to cherish memories and heal.
Erin told us of one home that had 3 generations of hoarding. They took 6 weeks to sort, purge and organize and get the homeowner moved into transitional living.
Erin stated that it is not just about talking about people's stuff. She provides an opportunity for everyone. A person may not be able to afford a $1,000 closet makeover, but they deserve to have a nice space for their recovery. We don't often find an opportunity to share our stories and feel there is hope in our culture. That is what she offers.
She is currently actively working with 6 clients. She is able to travel so can go outside of Lincoln to provide support. Her current projects include:
- - office organization for a businesswoman
- - a person who has suffered pregnancy loss
- - someone recovering from cancer
- - a person organizing before they die
She provides all services including:
- - organization
- - design
- - moving
- - rituals
She assured us that her work is not about minimizing. It is about preserving and cherishing your memories while overcoming grief and loss.
Erin is able to help anyone organize - even if it is not due to grief. She said that there is some practical magic that we can all apply. Take a few things - put them in a box - and walk away. It is a relief to do a few things at a time.
The meaning of 8 - infinity - there is no beginning and no end. It is also synchronicity - death and rebirth.
Erin's goals include providing a small community space for people to gather, share and grieve.
She believes that everyone has the right to heal. She hopes that she can get to the point of providing her services at no cost to the community.
Questions and links:
´Francis Weller Book
´Martine Prechtel Book
´The8th.space
´inquiriesforerin@gmail.com
´402-770-6372
´Insta/fb: @the8thspace
BIO
Erin Outson, owner of the 8th Space, helps people reinvent and redesign their spaces after experiencing loss, grief and major life transitions.
Since 2019 Erin has been helping people work within their budgets using the materials they have to create a sustainable space. Erin has experienced grief and loss on a deep level and this informs the heart of her work. Since returning to Lincoln in 2021, Erin has helped over 12 individuals and families navigate their grief journeys while bringing their space out of survival mode and into a livable space.
An artist by trade, after earning her Masters in Divinity in Saint Louis, Erin decided she wanted to build her business in her hometown of Lincoln, NE accompanying and witnessing people through their grief journeys and the intersections of our space and community.
