Downsizing your home may seem like a stressful proposition, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to be. Before you begin it’s a good idea to make sure you’re in the right frame of mind for the task and enlist some help if it’s available. It’s always easier to take on a big project like this with the help of friends, family members or both. For some great ideas on how to downsize your home without added stress keep reading.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
There’s no sense pretending that Downsizing isn’t a challenging task — it is. Once you’ve accepted that, it makes it easier to get started without any illusions about what’s in front of you. If it seems too overwhelming there’s nothing wrong with asking for help. That might be your spouse, older children, siblings, parents or friends. Someone outside your household can bring a fresh perspective and will likely be more objective, which can really help with those tough decisions about what you can really live without.
Start Your Downsizing Small
Even with people you care about lending a hand it can still be hard knowing where to begin. The best approach is to start with smaller impersonal items that are easier to let go of. Head to the kitchen and sort through that junk drawer — chances are you’ll find a lot of things in there that you don’t have a problem parting with. Once you’ve got yourself in a groove, the downsizing process will start to get a bit easier. That momentum may just be enough to give you the courage to tackle the more emotional items you’ll have to deal with sooner rather than later.
Save the Most Personal Items for Later
When it is time to tackle those more personal items it’s never a bad idea to ask for a second opinion. Preferably, someone that doesn’t live in your home. There’s a better chance they’ll be more honest in their assessment of your sentimental keep sakes and help you to accept when it’s time to let go. If you’re Downsizing from a large home to a condo, there are going to be tough decisions and it’s always easier to get through them with that second opinion.
Keep It In The Family
Just because you can’t take something with you, that doesn’t mean you can’t keep it in the family. That comfy couch in the basement may not fit in the new condo, but you can still sit in your favorite spot if your son or daughter take it off your hands whenever you visit them. It’s also easier to let something go when you’re downsizing if you know it’s still going to be part of the
family.
Never Start When You’re Already Stressed
Timing is everything when you’re downsizing. It’s a good idea to hold off for a while if you’re already feeling stressed about something else. You can’t avoid the start line on your downsizing project forever, but there’s nothing wrong with waiting until you’re in the right frame of mind before you get down to business. By giving yourself the time to destress before you start to downsize, you’ll find it easier to keep pushing through a difficult task.
Feel Better With Charitable Donations
It isn’t always possible to find a family member that can take larger items off your hands, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to throw them in your rented dumpster just yet. If you have old furniture that still has plenty of life left in it there are many great Charitable organizations that will be more than willing to take them off your hands. It feels good when you know that old dining room set you can’t take with you is going to find a good home and make life a little bit better for a family in need.
Make Some Extra Cash While You Downsize
Collectable items may not really be suitable as a donation to a charitable organization, but that doesn’t make them worthless. A quick internet search will give you a good indication of whether or not there is a market out there for your favorite collectibles that won’t fit in your new apartment. You might not find a family member that shares your love of miniature trains, but there are collectors out there that will be willing to hand over cash for that one of a kind steam engine replica. You can pocket that cash and feel good knowing your collection went to someone that appreciates it.
