It can be difficult to know what to keep and what to let go as you start downsizing.
We all have those things that mean a lot, but they don't take up much space or do not make us happy anymore.
This blog post will provide 9 tips for prioritizing the items in your home so you can feel good about making decisions about what stays and goes.
Whether you are downsizing because of a change in family size, retirement or moving to a smaller home, the tips below will help you get started on your journey.
As I mentioned above there is no right answer for everyone when it comes to deciding what belongs and doesn't belong in your life anymore; but using these tips can make getting rid of items easier.
Tips To Prioritize What's Important To You As You Start Downsizing
Determine Your Reason For Downsizing:
There are many reasons that you may be downsizing your home.
Before deciding what to keep and what to let go of, make sure you know the reason why you are doing this so it makes sense for you emotionally as well as physically in a smaller space.
if possible, delineate spaces within your new home before moving day arrives; knowing how much room there is will allow you to plan better when figuring out which items stay and which ones go
Create A “Keep” And “Let Go” List:
This is a great way to physically see what you are working with. Make two columns on a sheet of paper and start writing down everything in your home from the biggest items to the smallest.
Once you have everything written down, go through each item and ask yourself if it falls into one of these categories:
-Is this an item I use regularly or love? (keep)
-Do I need this for practical reasons? (keep)
-Will this make me happy when I look at it or use it? (keep)
-Can someone else use this more than me? (give away /sell)
-Is this taking up space for no reason? (let go)
Take Inventory Of Your Emotions:
When you are downsizing, it is important to take inventory of your emotions.
Ask yourself how you will feel when you let go of each item and be honest with yourself.
If you are feeling overwhelmed or sad, it may be best to hold onto that item for a little while longer until you feel better about parting with it.
On the other hand, if you are feeling excited or happy about the change then it's probably time to let go of that item.
Remember, these tips are just a guide and everyone will have their own way of doing things; the most important thing is to do what feels right for you.
Start Small:
It can be really daunting to think about downsizing your entire home, especially if you have a lot of items.
start small by choosing one room or even just one area of the house to work on at a time.
This will help make the process feel more manageable and less overwhelming.
Plus, once you finish that space it will be easier to move onto the next one.
Don’t Rush
One of the biggest mistakes people make when downsizing is rushing through the process.
Take your time and go slowly; this is not a race and there are no prizes for finishing first.
the more you rush, the greater your chance of making mistakes and getting stressed out.
It is not worth it to sell a few items too quickly or let something go just for the sake of finishing; take time to think about each item before deciding what stays and goes. You’ll feel better in the long run if you slow down!
Give Yourself Time
It may take you weeks or even months to finish purging your home.
Don’t put pressure on yourself and try to rush the process; it will only make things harder for you in the end.
Create A System That Works For You And Your Lifestyle
It can be really easy to get overwhelmed when downsizing because there are so many options out there about how exactly to do it!
There is no one right way to do things when it comes to downsizing.
What works for one person may not work for another, and that’s okay!
Find a system that works for you – maybe you want to go through your home room by room or start with the attic and basement first.
Whatever method you choose, make sure it is something that will be easy for you to stick with.
Think Twice Before Buying New
One of the best ways to avoid having too much stuff is to think twice before buying new items.
Ask yourself if you really need it and if it will add value to your life.
Often times we buy things because they are cheap or on sale, which is a great way to save money in the short-term.
But if you buy items that are not useful or meaningful it will just end up adding clutter and taking up space. Plus, having too many things can make downsizing feel overwhelming!
Conclusion
Downsizing is a process that takes time and energy, so don’t feel bad if things do not move as quickly or smoothly as you would like.
As long as you are making progress toward your goal of downsizing, it does not matter how slow the journey may be; trust yourself to know when something is right for you.
Good luck on your downsizing journey!