Are you planning on downsizing your life? Just thinking about it is scary for most people. In 2017, a wapping twelve percent of homebuyers between 45 and 64 were downsizing. And, it is just going to get more frequent.
The benefits of downsizing your life may out way the cons of taking on this significant challenge. To convince you that you can do it, I have listed the major benefits below.
Benefits to Downsizing Your Life
- Reducing your time spent keeping the home and yard clean.
- Saving money on day to day expenses.
- Giving you the ability to travel more.
- Reducing the need to buy new things for a larger home. Visit our other post on this topic: The Benefits to Downsize Your Home
When I am referring to downsizing, I am also referring to minimalism. Both have similar characteristics. Below I list the subtle differences.
What is downsizing?
You need to get rid of stuff because you need to fit into a smaller home. You may not want to get rid of the things, but you have too.
And, Minimalism is a little different.
What is Minimalism?
It's more of a frame of mind. To call yourself a minimalist is to say you wish not to have excess stuff ever. You will only bring in the things you use and enjoy. Everything else is discarded. You may want to get rid of the stuff because you don't want stuff any longer.
Whichever mindset you started with, it will bring you to this same next step -- where do I begin and how do I start? This post will help you begin the downsizing process to get control of the large task.
Where to start downsizing in my home?
Start by making a checklist for each room. The list should include the room name at the top of the page and the to-do list under it. This is just for preliminary purposes. You can type it up later and place it in a more permanent usable spot.
Each room has its own sheet of paper and will be divided into 'to do' columns labeled: Giveaway, Give to Charity, Recycle, Shred, or Sell. First, you enter the least used room, write down the item's name into the proper column. Make sure you include everything in the room. Be thorough. Jot down notes if needed as well.
Below is an example of what the Room Checklist should look like.
Go to the spaces and rooms you use least often, like basement, attic, garage and work your way to the rooms you use more frequently. It's less scary that way. And, usually, your emotions are not invested in the items that are in those rooms.
If you have closets in the rooms you are reviewing, have a room checklist sheet for them as well. These items usually hold several things and can be the main area that you have to reduce.
Start a new page for each room. If you have a large closet, considered that closet a room, and have a sheet of paper for that room as well.
Start with this process. See how it goes. It may seem overwhelming but, when you give yourself a reality check and write down the items, it tends to make it more doable and you are giving yourself permission to allow these items to go.
Please come back and leave a comment on how this process worked for you. How did you feel doing this process? Did it help you? Did it overwhelm you? If you feel you can't handle the process, contact a Professional Organizer to walk through the items to declutter process with you. It will be money well spent.
Feel free to visit our other posts for next steps:
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