Let's Talk: Downsizing
You’re ready for less maintenance, less cleaning, lower utility bills & more life! Downsizing can be both incredibly exciting & very tender. Here are a few things to think about as you start the process.
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START THIS PROCESS EARLY
Start as early as you can. Give yourself ample time and grace to work through this monumental task. Also, engage with a Real Estate professional early in the process. They may have resources to help with donations, cleaning, organizing, packing etc.
GO SLOWLY
Small steps. Remember, you didn’t bring all these items into your home at once - and they aren’t going to leave all at once either. Go slow, and aim for smaller victories. Maybe you want to tackle one room at a time. Maybe, you want to tackle one drawer. Either way, celebrate your progress as you go.
SET THE GROUND RULES
Set up ground rules for what stays and what goes: Inherent to downsizing is the practice and art of letting go of what no longer serves you. Set a kind criteria, keeping your new spaces in mind as you start to go through your items, so you can quickly know if something ‘stays’ or ‘goes’.
GO DIGITAL
Digital archives are a great way to store more, in less space. You can take digital pictures of items you love, but no longer have space for. When you’re settled into your new space, you can even add stories about why you loved the item, so future generations can know it as well.
Low hanging fruit: obsolete technology (think VHS cassettes & old cell phones), knick knacks that no longer suit your taste, old unused sporting equipment, duplicates, things that are broken.
CONSIDER YOUR NEEDS
If you intend to move into a property with a Home Owners Association (HOA), start thinking about what would be important to you about the HOA. (Do they take care of exterior maintenance? Do they allow pets? Rentals? What amenities do they offer? etc.)
