Daring to Downsize: You can’t take it all with you!
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The proof is in the numbers. Did you know that the average home contains 200,000 to 300,000 items? Shocking, I know. But just take a look around you. Your kitchen has plates, cups, eating utensils, serving dishes, cookware, small appliances and so much more. Your home office has all the paper files you’ve collected over the years. Closets are filled to the brim with clothes, shoes and accessories. And then there are toys, sports equipment, home improvement items, craft items, seasonal home décor and so much more. When you really think about it, 200,000 items in the home doesn’t seem so far-fetched after all.
When families are ready to downsize, often moving to a new home that is half the size, you can expect that you will have to get rid of 50% to 80% of your belongings. If you don’t, you’ll be living among clutter in your new home. Does that fit the lifestyle you want? Probably not.
By following these steps, you’ll be on the road to a more organized move, taking only the items that are most meaningful and useful to you as you embark on your new lifestyle.
Step 1: Create a decluttering calendar. Working back from your moving date, create a list of categories that you will to declutter. Give yourself one to seven days, depending on your timeframe, to focus on that one particular area. It could be clothing, sports equipment, memorabilia, musical instruments, pet supplies or your entire kitchen.
Step 2: Create a photo inventory of household items. Use your new floor plan as a guide to what furniture you can take. Be sure to see what fits, consider your needs, and choose your most favorite items to accompany you to your new home.
Step 3: Make a plan. Hire a realtor, professional organizer, estate sale or auction company. Put a list together of all the resources that you will need during the downsizing process.
Step 4: Set a move date. If you’re starting the downsizing process years before you are going to move, the date isn’t that important right now. If you have a specific date in mind, confirm with moving company and get started on your decluttering journey.
Step 5: Identify items of value. If necessary, consult estate sale experts, antique dealers or appraisers. But remember, just because you think it’s valuable doesn’t mean it really is.
Set 6: Designate items to give to family and friends. Has your best friend admired your end table? Did you inherit Aunt Sally’s table lamps but don’t really love them? Now is a great time to pass them on to people who will really enjoy them. Be sure to schedule pick up times.
Step 7: Gather important documents. Store them safely; shred/recycle as much paper as possible.
Step 8: Stop subscriptions. You can always renew the subscriptions once your move is complete if you really miss a particular publication. Now is also a great time to reduce your book collections and discard unread magazines and newspapers.
Step 9: Eat through your refrigerator, freezer and pantry. When you’re doing your weekly menu planning, focus on the food that is already in your home and cook meals accordingly. Of course, purchase fresh produce and meats as needed. It’s also a great time to start checking expiration dates and discarding old items.
Step 10: Declutter household items by category. By working on one particular category at a time, you’ll know exactly what you have and how many you should keep.
Step 11: Identify local charities. Schedule donation pickup or drop off times for items they will accept.
Remember, the reason to declutter before you move is so that you are surrounded by the items that you love, that you need and that bring you joy. No need to pay to move anything you don’t want any more.
More Organizing Ideas
Need even more ideas on how to organize your home? Living. Simplified. is ready to help. Take a look at these blog posts or send us an email at lauren@livingsimplified.net and we can work together to reach your organizing and decluttering goals:
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