Meghan Yuri Young, an Ontario-based storyteller, and wellness advocate, recently began the deeply personal project of clearing out her late father’s lakeside home and making it her own.
Instead of selling the property, Meghan and her partner decided to renovate it and start a new chapter there, marking a significant change from their life in Toronto. The house, appropriately named “Billy’s Blue Lake House” by her father William, held years of belongings–some old, some unused, and many that needed a new home. It can be tricky to let go of belongings, especially when they have sentimental value.
For Meghan, having us come in was a relief, as she says, “Sometimes you need that impartial mind to come in — you can just point and they’re just going to do it for you.” Here’s our full interview with her.
Q: How has the transformation been for your father’s lakeside home?
A: Renovating my dad’s beloved Billy’s Blue Lake House has been one of the most emotional and meaningful projects I’ve ever taken on. Blending his memory with my vision for a home of my own has brought joy, nostalgia, and—let’s be real—a whole lot of clutter.
Q: What made you decide to renovate your father’s lakeside home?
A: My dad, William. (Billy) This place—Billy’s Blue Lake House. It was his pride and joy. Even though I thought I’d eventually change the signature blue exterior, I’ve grown to love it because it feels like him. His celebration of life was here, so every corner holds a memory. Renovating it is my way of honoring him while also creating a space where my own life can grow.
Q: What was the biggest challenge when you first moved in?
A: Stuff. SO. MUCH. STUFF. We were merging two complete households. Two sets of plates, two sets of pots and pans, four couches,furniture from my childhood (including chairs from when I was in elementary school!), things he kept but never used—like “The Butler,” which none of us could identify at first. It was overwhelming to see how much needed to go before we could even begin to see the house’s potential.
Q: Why did you choose to bring in a junk removal service?
A: I reached a point where I needed help emotionally and physically. Some items were hard to part with, not because they were valuable, but because they were his. Having an impartial team come in meant I didn’t have to wrestle with every decision alone. I could point, they could remove, and I could breathe. Sometimes you just need someone else to physically take things out so you can mentally let them go.
Q: What exactly did the junk removal team help with?
A: Pretty much everything: Removing renovation debris, hauling out old, broken, or unused items, and handling disposal responsibly. Helping us donate pieces that still had life left in them. It wasn’t just about clearing trash; it was about clearing space, emotionally and physically.
Q: How did junk removal change your perspective on the renovation?
A: Once the clutter was gone, I could finally see the house. For example, the old kitchen was ripped out, and suddenly I could envision: A proper stove, a spacious sink, and a layout that actually made sense. Removing the excess made room for possibility. I could look at the space clearly and think: Yes. This could be ours.
Q: What advice would you give others dealing with a loved one’s belongings?
A: Be open—open to the emotions, open to help, open to letting go. When you create space, even if you can't imagine what will fill it yet, something wonderful always finds its way in.
With the clutter finally cleared, Meghan could finally envision the possibilities of her space. The items we removed didn’t just disappear–they were donated, recycled, or repurposed, with the possibility of becoming part of another family.
