Are you thinking about downsizing this year? Spring is a popular time for house hunting and moving, meaning now is the time to prepare. We’ve created a list of 8 useful tips to help you prepare to downsize!
- Prepare early. Downsizing is no easy task so it’s best not to leave things until the last minute! Prepare early by planning and organizing the elements leading up to your move, helping to minimize scrambling and stress.
- Declutter by going through your belongings. A crucial step in downsizing is to get rid of stuff. If you’re currently in a house, you likely have far more than you’ll be able to take with you. Go through everything bit by bit and get rid of what you no longer need or want. A pro tip is to break this step up and go through a different part of the house each weekend or month depending on your timeline. This will make things a little less daunting and give you adequate time to go through everything.
- Make a list of what you have. Going through everything in your home can seem like a lot of work and a lot of things to keep track of! As you go through things, make a list of what you have and mark whether you want to keep it or not. This will help keep track of what you’ve gone through and what might be left. It will also be useful when it comes time to sell any unwanted items, as well as keep track of your items during the move.
- List what you might need after you move. This can be done as you’re going through your belongings. While you’re likely trying to part with many of your belongings, you may notice a few things that need replacing. List these items out so that you can watch for sales over the months leading up to your move. That way, when you settle into your new place, you’ll be all set!
- Sell or donate what you don’t want. If there are things you no longer want but are still in good condition, sell or donate them! You can choose to sell items right in your local community or online. If you don’t want to sell, you can also donate your gently used items to your local opportunity shop. Someone else might make great use of what you otherwise would have thrown away!
- Take your time. If you start organizing early, you will likely have plenty of time to get everything in order. Avoid racing against the clock! Rushing through decluttering will only create more stress for you as things quickly become overwhelming. Take your time going through everything and organizing for your move. Having this time to yourself can also help to emotionally prepare you for the big change that comes with moving.
- Use storage spaces as needed. While storage spaces can be expensive, they can also be super helpful during downsizing. They offer a space outside of the home to keep your belongings while going through items. Sometimes, we just don’t know where to keep things! Putting what you want to keep (but don’t immediately need) in a storage space can free up space in your current home to continue downsizing. Just be sure to do your research and pick the storage space that makes the most sense for you!
- Accept help from friends and family. Don’t feel like you must do everything yourself! Reach out to friends and family for help with every step of downsizing if you need it. There’s absolutely no shame in having help to make things easier and more efficient.
Do you or a loved one need help with downsizing but don’t live near any friends or family? Goshenite Seniors Services can help with all of your downsizing needs! The Goshenite Transition and Relocation team can help manage things, offer guidance, and coordinate services while providing compassion and care for a smooth transition. They firmly believe that planning and organizing is the key to success!
