Decluttering and rightsizing… get ready for a fresh start!

Downsizing or rightsizing is a process that many face due to relocation, health restrictions, lifestyle change, or daily needs. Whether you are moving from a suburban home to a city apartment or lately became an empty nester, the challenge of giving up some of your cherished belongings in order to fit into a new, smaller, living space can be daunting.

With age most people expect that there will come a day when they will have to downsize. As their priorities shift, they may prefer to simplify their lifestyle, cut costs, or be closer to children and grandchildren. Planning ahead and assessing the new needs is crucial in order to pick the right new place and be excited about it. Looking forward to the benefits attached to this change can help deal positively with the emotional and physical stress that is involved with decluttering and moving.

To you each piece is a memory. Get some objective Help!

Moving is not easy at any stage of life, even more so when one has to go through years of accumulated furniture, dishes, pictures, and memorabilia. Luckily, you can hire professionals to help. Not only have they helped many before you and have experience estimating spaces and providing planning and storage solution, unlike family or friends, such professional organizers are less emotionally involved as they do not share your memories. They are capable of keeping an objective and practical approach while concentrating on making your new space functional.

We sought the advice of professional organizers on how to get started and make rightsizing successful.

Susan Rotter and Anna Castelli, Advanced International Organizing Professionals (AIOP) with Make Space For Life suggest to ask yourself some questions in order to be mentally ready for the process:

• What is important to me? What type of lifestyle do I want?
• How much time do I spend at home?  If you are a snowbird, a big house may no longer suit your current needs.
• Do I need space for hobbies?  Equipment for outdoor hobbies or extensive collections may require more space.
• Where do I want to live?  Consider the neighbourhood, proximity to family, amenities, transportation, type of home (house, condo, retirement home, residence).

Sheindl Rothman, MSW, a trained professional organizer (Positive Spaces) who specializes not only in downsizing but in general residential solutions and craft studios, adds:

• How much of your home do you really use? Do you use some rooms only rarely (or never!).
• Is entertainment still a big part of your life?
• Are you keeping up with home/garden maintenance? A bigger house requires more work… are you ready to exchange it for less back pain and more free time?
• Where to live? Begin by deciding where you’d like to move. Would you like to move to a warmer climate? Move closer to your children? Some opt for a pied à terre in one place and a principal lodging elsewhere.
• Buy or rent? You have the option of purchasing your next home (condo, duplex, smaller house) or renting an apartment. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. Some opt for a Senior’s Residence and are very happy to have done so.

All professionals recommend having a floor plan of your new space with room dimensions to allow you a more exact understanding of the living and storage space you will have. Being able to visualize your new space based on actual numbers and realizing that every little corner should have a purpose or function will help with the decluttering and downsizing of your personal belongings.

Where to start? 

Anna and Susan recommend to always keep your goals in mind and work on one room at a time.  Decluttering will as well help with the preparation to sell your home. Sorting and purging through your belongings will give you the opportunity to truly evaluate and ask yourself the following:

• Do I really need this item?
• Is the item in functioning order?
• When was the item last used and will it fit in my new space?

In Sheindl’s experience decluttering decisions depend on your interest in certain activities. If you foresee entertaining less or not at all, you may wish to pass on your good china, crystal glasses, and Sterling silver cutlery. If you will be cooking less or not at all, find a new home for some of your pots and pans. If you’re no longer golfing, skiing, or camping, well, it’s clear what to do.

How can I get rid of the stuff I’m not taking with me?

Once you’ve decided what you’re going to take with you, begin the process of clearing out the rest. There are many ways to do so, depending whether you wish to gift items, sell, or donate. You’ll probably want to begin by asking your children, grandkids, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends if they want anything special. If you wish to sell certain items, allow yourself enough time and prepare to accept considerably less than you initially paid. You may call a dealer or post certain items online. If you decide to donate, you may contact a charitable organization who picks up, or post online to organizations such as Freecycle.org, or other free sites.

Professional organizers can help their clients with both selling and donating. Some people hold a Moving Sale in their home. There are professionals who can manage this, as well as sell fine art.

How to make smart purchases

If you’re shopping for new furniture, choose quality over quantity and opt for multipurpose furniture pieces that can offer additional storage. Pick durable fabrics, since smaller spaces must be flexible and fulfill a double duty as an office, extra bedroom or play/work space.

Stay positive and calm.

The biggest challenge is letting go emotionally and practically. Getting overwhelmed and feeling anxious won’t help at all. Stay as calm as you can. Eat well, exercise, meditate, use positive affirmations throughout the process, and make time for socializing and fun. Get help if you like, from family, friends, and/or a Professional Organizer with experience in downsizing and moving. A good Professional Organizer will provide a confidential, non-judgmental, and supportive service. A moving company can also pack for you, but they will not help you sort through your belongings.

Start early! The earlier you begin the process, the easier your move will be. Try to follow an ecological approach and resell, donate, or recycle your objects so they can find new homes outside the trash.

Always remember that it is also a journey into an exciting new beginning!