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Hire help to declutter home11/13/2023 Organizing professionals like Peter Walsh and Marie Kondo say, if you’re having a hard time letting something go, ask yourself: Is it useful? Is it beautiful? Have I used it in the last year? Does it “spark joy?” This is less about organizing and more about pinpointing what you truly value.Ĭreate a labeling system. If you have 20 T-shirts, but you only feel great wearing three, pick your favorite five and move on. For large-volume things like clothes, set a limit. Other than clothing, try to keep just one of each thing. Eliminating the “maybe” option keeps you on task and helps minimize “analysis paralysis” – spending too much time focused on one thing. It’s tempting to create a “maybe” pile, but try to resist! Or at least keep it to very few items. Sort by keep, toss, and give away – no maybes! Professional organizers call this “processing.” Set up and label containers for what you want to keep, donate (or give to loved ones), and throw away for each room. Enlist help for this! If these rooms have lots of keepsakes or heavy items, you’ll need help prioritizing, letting go, and lifting. Even though you’re starting small, try to get to at least one tough job done early, such as the garage, attic, closet, or office. You’ll need more time to decide what you want to do with these things, but you also may have an easier time deciding once you’ve gotten into a rhythm with allocating the must-have basics. Save the big, emotional stuff (art, heirlooms, photos) for later. Tackle practical must-haves first, like kitchen and bathroom supplies. For example, if you have two bedrooms and the new location only has one, only bring the essentials (bed, dresser, etc.) for one room. If the new place doesn’t have that room, save it for last and only bring the absolute musts. That will help you decide what you can fit and where it all goes. Know the layout and size of the new space room by room. This is a good time to start earmarking special items for your loved ones. Plus, movers often need several weeks’ notice to truck your stuff, especially when it’s out of state. Processing and packing always take longer than you think. Work back from that date, considering the time you need to downsize and pack, as well as time for family if you’ll be “gifting” any possessions.ĭownsizing and Decluttering Home ChecklistĪs you start your downsizing venture, keep this checklist on hand. When do you want or need to move? If you’re going out of state, sometimes trucks need to load a few weeks in advance of your move-in date. For example, facilities and apartments have far less space than a detached house. What and how you downsize depends significantly on your new home’s location, size, and setup. Having to rush into a relocation decision or go through your possessions at the last minute only adds stress. It’s also easier to adjust when you’ve had a while to get used to the idea. Some people start the “where will I move?” decision process more than a year in advance. Give yourself enough time to make an organized, informed plan. To downsize efficiently for a planned move, though, you need to make some decisions first. In fact, we’d recommend it to avoid getting burnt out or overwhelmed. You can always chip away at paring down your possessions over time. 2 Just don’t forget to pack the sunscreen! One study shows that 25 percent of older adults plan to move to a warmer climate. Or, they might need to move into a space that can accommodate specific medical equipment. Seniors with chronic conditions or needing more frequent medical care may need to relocate to be near their doctor or adult day care. You might move later in life to be closer to your children, grandchildren, and other relatives who can help you age in place. Moving to a one-floor space that’s easy to access and navigate can help you age in place longer. Things like stairs, multiple levels, outdated bathrooms, or long driveways and walkways become more dangerous as we age. Your grandkids may love your pool and sprawling lawn, but it’s a lot to take care of as you get older. The less you have, the less you have to maintain. It can also mean lower utility and repair bills. Reducing your monthly expenses by moving into a smaller, less expensive space saves on mortgage payments, home insurance, and property taxes. Most retirees are on a limited or fixed income, but there are still incidentals that are hard to predict, like healthcare costs, home repairs, and travel.
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