Downsizing when moving is always a good idea. The longer you have lived in a place, the more things you have gathered throughout the years. You are somehow attached to those things, but it is true that you don’t always need them.
Downsizing is not packing fewer items that you like but packing the items which are useful and needed. It is an overwhelming process but it doesn’t have to be too hard if you follow some simple steps.
Here we have put together a guide to help you make the process simple and faster:
1. Go room by room
When downsizing, if you are looking for things that you don’t need any more around the house at once it takes time, and you don’t get a lot of the work done. Instead of looking for things all around the house, start the process of going room by room. It helps in breaking down the process into smaller and more approachable ways and the complete thing becomes doable. If you start the process early, you get plenty of time to look through all your things.
2. Don’t take duplicates
If you have four or five shirts that are identical or two toasters then you need to let the extras go. Owning multiples of something is always a sign to clear the clutter. If you hold onto these waiting for the time to use them or wear them and the time hasn’t come yet, it may never come. Better to take those extras and add them to a donation pile where they will be useful.
3. If you don’t use it, don’t keep it
When going through all your belongings, you may recognize that some of the items are never being used. It may be something you have stored to use in the future or was a result of impulsive buying. It can even be a gift someone gave you, and you feel the need to keep it close. But if you don’t use it, you don’t need it. Make sure to add these items to your donation box where they will be used.
4. If you don’t have room for it, don’t keep it
If you are moving into a smaller space, it is a good idea to get rid of all the extras that you will not be able to store in your new home. Remember, here you are not only focusing on the downsizing of your belongings but also considering the space you will have to store all your belongings.
Make sure the things you are taking with you have an “obvious” space for them instead of thinking “I’ll find a way to store it somewhere”.
5. Separate items into categories
Separating items into categories helps you to know which item is needed and which item is extra and can be donated.
- Category 1: Keep
These are the items you will need after you move into your new home.
- Category 2: Throw away
These are the items you no longer require and have gone bad or cannot be used anymore.
- Category 3: Donate
These are the items you no longer need but are useful and can be donated.
- Category 4: Not sure
These are the items you are not sure if you need to keep or not. You can always circle back to these later.
Donate the items which you don’t need but will be useful to others:
Once you have decided what to keep and what’s not needed anymore consider donating them. It is hard to say goodbye to the things you have made memories with but if it’s not fulfilling its purpose then it’s time to give them away. By donating as much of your downsizing belongings as possible, you are not only passing it on for a good cause, but also the items are finding a new purpose.
You can make a donation to a non-profit organization including but not limited to a homeless shelter, clothing drives, animal rescue organizations and others.
If you have books and magazines which you don’t need anymore, you can donate them all to schools and libraries.
You can also give away your belongings like some kitchen gadgets or clothing items to your family and friends.
Wrap Up
Downsizing can be frightening both emotionally and physically. You must be attached to your belongings and at the same time, there is too much you need to find and keep aside.
When downsizing, follow the above guidelines to make the process simpler and faster. And just in case you can’t decide what to do with the stuff in the ‘not so sure’ category, consider its purpose. If it doesn’t serve any purpose you don’t need it.
Also, remember to donate books, clothes, and gadgets if you have no more use of them instead of throwing them away.
