It’s a stressful time when you have to downsize, not as stressful as being an inch tall like Matt Damon and on top of that being left by his wife, but downsizing is still pretty stressful. Everything that you’ve accumulated over the years; everything that holds dear to your heart; everything that takes up space in your home will now have to find a new home either with you or without.
You’re obviously here because you need to downsize but you just don’t know where to begin. This is not a preparation to downsize, this is what you should do when you’re already doing it. Be sure to take some notes because these are awesome tips for a successful downsize.
Take the small stuff
Yes, take the small stuff with you! The stuff that you use everyday. A good example of small items that come with you is cutlery. Your knives, forks and spoons are sacred to living and especially, eating. Of course the little things that take too much room should go - like the landline that nobody uses anymore or the fruit bowl being occupied with mail. Go through this slowly and see what’s actually needed versus what you can let go.
Get rid of the big stuff
Believe it or not, this takes the most space. Your three bedroom house is now going to be a two bedroom house. Why on heaven and earth would you need a third bed and where would you even put it? Save yourself a couple bucks on not hauling that third bed into your smaller place. The more big stuff you get rid of, the more money you save on the actual big move.
Follow the one year rule
This is one of the most important rules when it comes to small household items or clutter around the house that you can’t get rid of. The rule states that if you haven’t used it in a year then get rid of it. The idea is that if you haven’t used it by now then you’re probably never going to use it. Be ruthless with yourself.
Go paperless
Well this doesn’t mean that bill you get in the mail, this means everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. Physical items are a thing of the past unless they’re decoration. A phone bill? Get it online or scan it into a PDF. A CD? Burn it onto your laptop or computer. Photos? Don’t print them unless they’re an aesthetic. A cassette tape? Who even uses those anymore? Go paperless.
Bring in extra bodies
If de-cluttering really isn’t your thing then I have to say that hiring a professional downsizer (not Matt Damon), rather a downsizing specialist would be very beneficial. They won’t be as attached to your items and they offer a very realistic view of your items. They’ll let you know what you need and what you don’t. Don’t worry, they’ll take care of your stuff, they know it’s important to you but they also know that living comfortably in a new space is also very important.
Donate, Sell, Toss
Make sure that everything that’s in good condition is still going to be used. If you think it can’t be sold then donate it so another family or person will get some use out of it. If it’s sell-able, then guess what? You’ll be able to make a couple bucks to soothe the pain of losing some items. If they’re not in good condition, and it hasn’t been in a long time then toss it. Toss it into a dumpster so it will be the least of your worries.
Rent A Dumpster
It’s so helpful to have. You may not think it but if you have a dumpster for a full week - you won’t realize how much you want to get rid of just so you can fill that baby up. And what’s great is that you won’t even need to worry about it after it’s in the dumpster. After it’s in, it’s smooth sailing from there.
We all know it can be a stressful time and it’s one of the times where nothing ever goes to plan but when it does, it feels like a great accomplishment. I just want to mention that it can be a wonderful time if you know what you’re getting yourself into. Prepare yourself - Therefore you come into this with a knowledgeable mind and body ready to downsize.
