Downsizing Means: Reducing the Amount of Stuff You Own
One thing I find interesting, even in the Organizing industry, is that the term ‘Downsizing’ means different things to different people.
My understanding of the term, it that it means literally going from something bigger in space or quantity to something smaller or less in quantity.
This could be moving from a bigger home to a smaller home. It could also mean having more stuff, then getting rid of stuff and so you have less stuff. Some of my clients use the term ‘downsizing’, when referring to moving a loved one into a retirement residence or into Long-term care.
Any way you define it, it always means sorting through belongings and deciding which to keep and take with you, and which you need to let go of.
Moving is another large undertaking and it comes in a whopping third on the list of the most stressful life events. I have moved exactly seven times in my adult life, and have learned the hard way to never do it without help. As great as my friends and family are (and I love them all dearly) I would hire another professional organizer for me to manage it for me.
Here are some tips when planning a move or downsize:
- Start early! Every item in your home will require a decision.
- The more you have, the more you have to move.
- Accept help! Friends and family are a great resource.
- Plan ahead! A new home also means a new lifestyle, you get to choose what that may look like. *Hint, this should help with rule #1.
- Box things first that you use less regularly and can do without for awhile.
- Keep things out that you use every day.
- Label everything!
Something else to think about
However, in my last move I was, and got rid of a lot of things. If felt great at the time and had much less to move. I spent the next 2 years looking for things that I never found. Some things were from hobbies I wanted to take up again and others were sentiment items such as gifts from my mom who had passed and I decided I wanted to display them. Looking back, my thinking at the time was that I wanted a ‘fresh start’ and was following the rules by the experts. In reality, I wasn’t’ emotionally ready to make some of those decisions and hadn’t grieved yet. Yes, it was only ‘stuff’, but I made rush decisions without taking the time to process them.
How an organizing company helps
You can hire me to manage the entire process from start to finish, or I can help with what causes you the most amount of stress. We can work together over a period of time, or if you have a deadline or an exceptionally large project, I can bring in a team to get you packed up and moved quickly.
- Sorting through your belongings and supporting your decisions on what to keep and what to send on its way.
- Arrange for a bin or waste removal.
- Pack up your old home and/or unpack in your new home.
- Remove unwanted items, and take them for donation.
- Measuring furniture, room dimensions etc.
- Arrange online auctions.
- Support with selling items of value.
Managing a move also requires other services. I am always happy to coordinate with the other professionals you have chosen. If you need some recommendations, I can refer to some of the best.
- Moving companies
- Real estate agents
- Cleaning companies
