The Personal Property Inventory Guide
Taking it one step at a time.
One of our clients said it best: “The list—the list from hell! It took forever, and it was hard and upsetting. I can’t believe this is what they make you do. Just be patient and take your time.”
Completing your personal property inventory is essential because it creates an official record of what was in your home. At the same time, this task is deeply triggering for almost everyone. It often requires mentally revisiting the loss of your home and belongings, sometimes in painful detail. Being asked to remember hundreds—or even thousands—of items can feel overwhelming, exhausting, and frustrating.
Many clients have found it most manageable to approach the list room by room and to work on it for a set, limited amount of time each week, rather than trying to push through all at once. Go slowly and take frequent breaks. If you start to become overwhelmed, take a break. Go for a walk, do a grounding exercise, and be kind to yourself. Anyone would be upset about having to do this task. This is hard work, and your reaction to it is entirely normal.
What’s included in this toolkit
✺ What disaster survivors have to say ✺
“I wish I had avoided every company that chased me to sell their services and took the time to seek out a builder that was not a restoration contractor. This might have taken longer, but would have ultimately yielded a much superior product.”
“Therapy helped us understand our grieving process, provided us with coping skills, and let us know there was a path back from our sadness. These skills were so helpful while working on the inventory list, which was so upsetting.”
Journal Prompts
Journaling after a disaster can be a gentle way to care for yourself during an overwhelming time. Putting your thoughts and emotions into words helps your brain and body make sense of what you’ve been through, easing anxiety and bringing back a small sense of control. Even a few sentences or simple notes can make a meaningful difference in supporting your healing and emotional balance.
For adults: What did it feel like to begin the personal property inventory process after the disaster?
What emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations came up as you started, and what do you notice about yourself now?
For kids: What does it feel like to lose your stuff after something scary happens?
Have a question about your recovery?
You can call Our Front Porch at 720-593-8606 to speak to someone or email info@ourfrontporchco.org and one of our Disaster Recovery Specialists will get back to you within 48 hours.