Downsizing Done Right: Understanding the Process and Benefits
In our consumer-driven society, purging is not something we learn from a young age. There is always an opportunity to make new purchases, but there is less incentive to eliminate. We are not taught to dispose of items when they are no longer needed. Instead, we hang on to them because we believe we might need them someday, or we feel guilty about getting rid of them because they were expensive. The result is that many of us are bogged down by our belongings, and paralyzed by the thought of downsizing a home.
Yet the need to downsize never strays from our minds, especially as we get older. Seniors who are looking to simplify their lifestyle during this later stage of life often look to decluttering or moving to a smaller home as a solution. According to AARP, 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every single day in the United States, and this is expected to continue through 2050. Consistent with prior surveys, 41% of boomers are either likely or very likely to move at some point, with 29% currently undecided on a future move. A study by Wakefield Research, as reported by PR News Wire, also says that more than half of Americans describe their home as cluttered, and 61% believe moving is the best opportunity to declutter a home.
Taking all of these facts into consideration, it’s likely that downsizing is in your future. And it’s never too early to get a headstart! It can improve the quality of your life tremendously during any stage. Keep reading to learn more about why you should consider downsizing your home and how to approach the process efficiently.
Why Should You Downsize?
Whether you plan to move or simply declutter, chances are that you have stuff you no longer use, like, or need. Downsizing and purging will help you get organized, simplify your life, and even stay healthy. Think about it. You will have more time in your day if you don’t have to spend hours hunting for the things you need at home. This means that you can spend more time doing the things you enjoy, which relieves stress and increases happiness.
Another benefit of downsizing is that it will help you prepare for all of life’s changes. For example, if a move is in your future, it is simpler and less stressful to move a few boxes than to move two truckloads full of belongings. As you get older, accessibility can become a greater concern, too. Downsizing will give you and your family peace of mind that your space is safe and easy for you to navigate without the potential risk of falling or tripping over clutter.
If you don’t declutter your belongings now, they will eventually become someone else’s burden. For most people, that burden will fall on family members, such as your children or your spouse. By downsizing, you can eliminate the need for others to deal with an overwhelming amount of stuff. A lot of your belongings may not have the same sentimental value to the person who is sorting through them. Decluttering now gives you the opportunity to decide where you want your items to ultimately end up.
The Downsizing Process
If you have accumulated several years of belongings, downsizing may seem like an especially overwhelming task. Perhaps you do not even know how or where to begin. These steps will guide you through the process smoothly, making downsizing a little less daunting:
1. Set aside designated blocks of time for purging each week.
This is the best way to ensure that you make steady progress towards your goal. You should schedule time on your calendar for purging, just like you would schedule a doctor’s appointment. To avoid overwhelm, start out with a small amount of time, such as 30 minutes. If you feel that is too short, you can always block out more time the following week.
2. Pick a room and tackle it in chunks.
If you need a visual, try looking at the room through a small hole (an empty paper towel or toilet paper tube works well for this). Then, focus only on purging the items that you see through the hole.
3. Divide and conquer.
Once you have narrowed down the area you want to tackle first, you can further divide it into sections. For example, if you are decluttering a dresser, consider working on one or two drawers at a time.
4. Make one decision at a time.
Pull out each item and make a decision whether to keep it, donate it, or throw it away. Avoid setting anything aside to make a decision about it later. It can be helpful to ask yourself questions like, “Would I take this if I had a two-week turn around?” and “When is the last time I used this?” If you haven’t used an item in over a year, it is more than likely that you probably don’t need it anymore. The same rule can apply to childhood belongings that you have been saving for your adult children, too. If they have not asked for it by now, it’s safe to assume that they don’t want it.
5. Make sure everything has a home.
For items that you plan to keep, be sure to designate a specific location where they will be stored. This will save you time when you are looking for items that you need, and it will be much easier to stay organized if you return it to the same place every time.
6. Donate unwanted items.
Donating unwanted items to charity can be a therapeutic way to purge the precious sentimental items you have acquired over the years. I recommend gathering up your unwanted belongings and taking them to a few different charities in your area. For larger items, you can often arrange for a pick up at your home, if needed.
It is a little bit easier to let go of these items when you know that they will go to someone who needs them. And remember: donating an item doesn’t erase the memories that you associate with it. Perhaps you can find joy and satisfaction in knowing that the item will become a part of someone else’s most cherished memories, too.
I always remind my clients that downsizing a home is a process, not an event. Keep in mind that it did not take 3 hours to accumulate so much stuff, so it is not going to take 3 hours to purge. However, you may be surprised to learn that it does take a lot less time to purge than it did to accumulate the items in the first place!
If you need help during any stage of the process, schedule a consultation with Transformare. We are happy to help you implement the most effective solutions for decluttering, managing a move, transitioning to senior housing, or all of the above!