Congratulations – you’ve officially started the downsizing process!
Now that you’ve made decisions about what furniture and contents HAVE to come to your new space, you can begin to make choices about everything else.
Many people feel that their things carry memories and emotions, which can make it difficult to let go; others enjoy the experience of ruthlessly purging their home contents. You are an individual, and it’s important to take some time to recognize how you are feeling about the process and offer yourself grace.
Whether you’re downsizing or just looking for a way to organize your space, try these tips:
Tip 1: Acknowledge
The first tip is simply to acknowledge the difficulty of letting go of certain objects. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by the decisions at hand – this process takes time and patience.
Tip 2: Make a List
Consider writing a list of items that feel very important, which bring you joy, or carry deep meaning. You don’t need to look around your house when making the list – just write anything and everything that comes to mind.
Tip 3: Check it Twice
You’ve got your “Most Wanted” list, so focus on the sentimental things you’d really like to have. Do you have room for the curio cabinet and tchotchkes? What about the trunk, or that set of side tables?
Your floor plan is your best friend in this process – measure each piece carefully to see if there is space in your new home.
Tip 4: Use it or Lose it
Who says that your nice dishware is only for special occasions?
Many people own things that they love and treasure, but only use for special occasions (ex. fine china place settings). The truth is that items like that can be hard to justify keeping when storage space is at a premium.
We encourage you to use and enjoy those special items, whatever they are. Employ those beautiful dishes as your everyday place settings – they were meant to be used, and perhaps you’ll get an extra daily dose of joy.
Tip 5: Self-Reflection
Ask yourself the following questions to help determine if an item should join you on your adventure:
- Does this item hold personal value?
- How many times has it been used or enjoyed in the past year?
- Can it travel safely and comfortably to your new home?
- Will you honestly get any use or enjoyment out of it?
If you’re still struggling to decide, try asking yourself if your life will be significantly different without the item, or how hard it would be to replace if you change your mind.
Tip 6: Create a Memory Book
You loved it, you can’t bring it, and nobody you know wanted to take it off your hands – now what do you do with the other sentimental items?
If you have special items that you can’t take with you for whatever reason, consider taking pictures of the items and writing down your memories on the back of the photo, or in an album.
A picture is worth a thousand words – with today’s technology, you could have a beautiful display book made to keep those special memories close.
Tip 7: Donate!
Consider donating or selling items that can’t join you; this way they can bring joy into somebody else’s life as well! You might be surprised at how good it feels when you let things go.
