3 Easy Steps to Pain-Free Downsizing

There are plenty of reasons to downsize to a smaller home. From the extra room that does nothing but gather dust to having lower utility bills and maintenance costs, there's a lot to be said for downsizing.  However, if you've lived in your current home for a number of years the thought of decluttering or organizing your whole home might be daunting.

So, let's get you started on your downsizing project.

1. DECIDE NOT TO STRESS OVER IT

While it's good to have a downsizing plan, give yourself permission to take it slow if you need to. You're more likely to complete the whole process if you break it into multiple, more manageable projects. Do one room at a time or even decide to tackle half of each room during a session so you stay on track and don't get overwhelmed. 

If the thought of sorting through your belongings and getting rid of the excess makes you anxious, start the process in a "neutral" room, such as the office or kitchen.  Address the dreaded "junk drawer" or go through DVDs and video games. 

2. COME UP WITH A SYSTEM

One of the most brilliantly simple systems I've heard about involves using different colored sticky notes.

For example, slap green sticky notes on items you're keeping, yellow on items you're giving away, and pink on those you haven't made a final decision about yet.

Another system involves "The Rule of One Thin In, Two Things Out." For every platter, book, or other item in a collection that you decide to take with you, choose two that you'll give away. 

I have found the "closet-hanger method" to be effective. Face all close hanger hooks away from you. Once you wear an item, turn the hanger hook toward you. After six months, donate any clothes that are still facing away.

3. WHAT GOES WITH YOU AND WHAT STAYS?

Keep things you want, use, need, or like to look at, is the key to successfully downsizing. Then, consider the size of the new home. If it's half the size of your current home, you'll need to get rid of half of your "stuff".

Focusing on furniture is typically the best place to start the decision-making project. Oversized sofas, tables and the like may need to go to make way for something more to scale with the size of your new home's room.

By setting your intentions and goals ahead of time, you'll have a much clearer view of what items will fit into your new lifestyle and home.