T ips on Downsizing
"Add
Space to your Life"
You
don't need to get rid of everything, but you need to edit years of accumulated
belongings to just the key items in your household. If you think about what
you really use in your home on a week-to-week basis it amounts to a fraction
of what is in your home.
Whether you're an empty nester moving from a home into a condo or someone
that has their home on the market to sell you'll have to say 'bye-bye' to some
of your stuff. Maybe you are just someone that needs to edit years of accumulated
belongings and the whole thought of the process stresses you out. Feel free
to use this tips/checklist as your tackle your organizing project.
One Room At a Time
Ask friends and family to help you out and start with rooms that you
are not using. Have packing supplies like boxes, bubble wrap, old newspapers,
and bags ready to go. Make decisions about big pieces of furniture before zoning-in
on the little stuff. Remember the goal is to simplify your life not to rob yourself
of your memories. Give yourself plenty of time to make good decisions and once
you have made those decisions schedule the donation truck to come over as soon
as you are finished.
Do a Home/Self Analysis
If you think about what you use on a week to week basis, it amounts to a fraction
of what is in your home. As yourself these questions as you tackle each room:
- Which of the items that I own right now are really important to me?
- How little can I get away with yet still be comfortable?
- Can this item or piece of furniture save space by serving two functions?
- Is this piece of furniture comfortable, durable, well made, and built to
last?
- Is this item easy to care for or does it require maintenance?
- Am I just keeping this item out of habit or is it beautiful, or useful in
some way?
- Does this fit in the space I have?
- For your stage of life or physical condition is this item appropriate?
Categorize
You will need 6 categories for your belongs as follows:
- Things to keep
- To give away
- Items to be sold
- Things to be donated
- Items for the garbage
- Need to think about it . . .
Feel Good About It!
Donate your items to charities that help the less fortunate. It is easier to
let go when you know that your belongings are going to good use. Another great
idea is to have an estate sale and donate the proceeds to your favorite charity.
Take photos of the treasures you really want to remember so you can look back
and reminisce. Give your treasured keepsakes to family & friends and know
that they are going to people who love and appreciate them.
Downsizing Tips
In order to simplify your life choosing furniture and objects that can serve
more than one function is a wise strategy. For example pick furniture that has
storage space built-in or a sofa that turns into a bed. When selecting new furniture
pick pieces scaled to smaller spaces. Avoid keeping fragile, delicate or rickety
items. You don't need to get rid of everything, but you need to edit years of
accumulated belongings to just the key items in your household.
How to Be a Great Helper
Downsizing can be a difficult and emotional process so do be understanding.
Help the person stay focused on completing one area at a time. Offer as much
guidance as needed but don't push or rush them. You may have to do a couple
of passes through an area if they can't do it all at once. Let the person make
their own decisions and work at their own pace. If necessary you can always
put things in storage temporarily.
"I strongly recommend that you enlist the help of a friend
or professional to give the insight you need to make decisions. An outside helper
won't have any vested interest in what you keep, sell or donate. They will be
able to look objectively at your space and needs. Remember that it is very difficult
to purge too much. Almost every item that you own is replaceable. Space is not..
Leave yourself room to grow and flourish within your new space!" |
