If the phrase ‘spring cleaning’ conjures up a splitting headache, the concept of downsizing may seem nothing short of explosive. Giving the house a good scrub down is one thing, but halving your possessions to fit into a new, significantly smaller home is a whole new kind of challenge.
You might be an empty nester and your family home now feels too big. Maybe you’re raising cash for your retirement, or you’re simply ready for a lifestyle change. Whatever the case, these downsizing tips are for you.
Take a Japanese approach
More than simply a self-help book, some people swear by Marie Kondō’s ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organising.’ When it comes to culling possessions, her philosophies can quite literally transform your entire downsizing experience. Read the whole thing from cover to cover, or simply live by her basic mantra of keeping things that honestly bring you joy, and discarding those that don’t.
Donate to a cause
Downsizing can be stressful, but you can brighten the mood by donating old furniture, clothes and trinkets to a good cause. Choose a charity that you’re passionate about and make a point of donating all your pre-loved items to the local op shop. Some charities even offer a pick-up service which makes giving things away as easy as making a phone call. You’ll get a warm fuzzy feeling, and the chance to downsize your life at the same time.
Try not to duplicate
Over the decades, it’s all too easy to build up multiple sets of cutlery, wine glasses, desks, armchairs and so on. When you’re downsizing make a pact not to duplicate where possible. The last thing you want is for your new home to feel cluttered, so be practical and don’t double up. This is where lists come in handy. When it comes to downsizing, you can never have too many on the go!
Don’t be TOO hard on yourself
Ultimately, downsizing should be an exciting new chapter of your life, not a stressful experience that you want to forget ASAP. So, rather than spend hours agonising over whether you can justify keeping your grandmother’s china, just cut yourself a little slack. If you’re really attached to the set just go with your heart and let yourself keep it.
Smart storage
The concept of downsizing is simple enough, but ultimately the actual process can be heartbreakingly hard. If you find yourself wanting to keep more than you have space for, try embracing smart storage solutions. For example, fit out your new place with hinged storage ottomans, wall mounted shelving, under bed boxes and so on.
Shop around for removal companies
When you’re busy downsizing your possessions it’s tempting to sign on with the first removal company you check out. But you could save hundreds simply by shopping around. Call around for a few different quotes, and ask if there’s a discount on offer for seniors. Don’t be shy – if you don’t ask, you don’t get!
Call in the professionals
If it all gets to be too much, don’t hold back on calling in the professionals. From endless files of paperwork to towers of boxes in the attic, a professional estate sales company can help you downsize in a way that’s organised and systematic. Not only will they help you prepare for the move, but they’re also invaluable when it comes to deciding what to keep, what to sell and what to give away. If you can’t afford a professional, enlist the help of friends and family. Chances are they’d love to help you out for a few hours here and there.
It may seem daunting, but the good news is that downsizing is an incredibly liberating experience. The journey can be emotional and stressful at times, but it’s a fundamental part of opening a new chapter of your life. So get excited, get stuck in and share your best tips on how to downsize without losing your mind!
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