On a scale of 1 to 10, how prepared do you feel to move next weekend (or even next month)?
None of us expect to have to move that soon, but if we suddenly experience a medical emergency and can no longer live on our own, we may not have a choice.
It’s unpleasant to think about, but believe me, the peace of mind that comes with decluttering and preparing for a possible move in the future is priceless!
In my last post, I discussed the emotional side of decluttering. If you haven’t read that yet, I encourage you to click here to read it now. The practical side of decluttering is far easier if our emotions are in check.
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Are you all caught up? If so, let’s continue!
Whether you’re planning to downsize soon or further down the road, living with less is always satisfying. It can help you maintain your mobility as you age and offer freedom from caring for all that stuff, which can reduce stress and allow you to fully enjoy this chapter of life.
In this post, we get really practical about decluttering. The process might feel a little intimidating at first, but stick with me! I’ve helped guide hundreds of people from “No way this will happen!” to “Done!”
Remember this: The sooner you start, the easier it’ll be!
Practical Tips for Decluttering
If you are planning to move six months or more from now, I encourage you to follow these eight steps to start decluttering your home. They will help the process go much smoother. If you are moving sooner than that, let’s talk about your plans. Click here to schedule a call with me.
Step 1: Start with a plan.
To begin, set your goals:
- Define what you want to achieve through decluttering.
- Take a few moments to envision your life with less stuff.
- If you still feel some resistance to the idea of sorting through your things, click here to re-read our post about the emotional side of decluttering to help change your mindset.
Next, create a realistic timeline to avoid feeling overwhelmed. You may have to be radically honest about your current health and lifestyle. For example, how much progress can you realistically make each week? You may need more time to declutter if you’re already facing mobility issues.
Keep in mind that things are easy to accumulate but can be hard to let go of. As possessions decrease, emotions increase. Be prepared for a flood of mixed feelings as you begin sorting, and give yourself time to work through your emotions.
Once you’ve considered the basics, identify which areas of the home to tackle first. For example, which areas of your home matter most if you were to face a sudden move? Write them down and make a goal to declutter those spaces within six months or a year.
When you do these simple steps, you’ll begin to see why you are doing this and where to start! That’s a big step in the right direction.
| Let’s recap step #1. To begin decluttering, set clear goals, address emotional resistance, create a realistic timeline, and prioritize the spaces to conquer within six months to a year. |
Step 2: Break down your space.
To make the process manageable, break down each space into smaller tasks.
Here’s a practice exercise: Choose a bedroom and make decisions about everything ON TOP OF your dresser. Make a definitive choice about everything on that dresser—will you keep it, give it away, or throw it away? If you choose to keep things, find a home for them immediately. Then, donate and throw away the other items immediately.
Most people can complete this practice exercise in five minutes. Once you’re finished, take a break and celebrate that you started the process! Then, tackle another flat surface tomorrow. When you finish all the flat surfaces, keep going with a drawer, then a closet, and so on.
| Let’s recap step #2. A room is probably too much to tackle all at once. Start by deciding the fate of items on top of your dresser, immediately act on those decisions, celebrate your success, and then keep going from there. |
Step 3: Sort your things into boxes.
As you begin working on larger areas, set a timer for 10-15 minutes and sort items into four boxes labeled “Keep,” “Not Sure,” “Sell,” and “Give.” You’ll also want to have a bag for “Trash.” When you set the timer for 10-15 minutes, it makes larger spaces feel more like the flat surface exercise in step 2.
Here’s a quick review of what goes into each box:
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- “Keep” box. Keep everything you love or need for practical purposes. In other words, keep the things that make you happy every time you see them and the best of the things you need for everyday life, like furniture, housewares, and clothes.
- “Not Sure” box. Add things to the “Not Sure” box when you can’t decide, but use this box sparingly! Decluttering can be emotional, and this category provides a little buffer so you can keep the momentum going and come back to the items that need some more thought later.
- “Sell” box. Set aside items to sell and price them realistically. Your goal should be to reduce your belongings, not to recoup the money you spent over time.
- “Give” box. Allocate items to donate or give away to loved ones or others who may benefit from them or treasure them as sentimental keepsakes of their own.
- “Trash” bag. Dispose of items that are no longer usable or valuable and are ready for disposal.
Pro tip: The “Not Sure” box can also be practical. Perhaps you have duplicates of a specific item floating around the house but aren’t sure which one to keep. Collect them all in the “not sure” box, then decide which one to keep. Just be sure you recategorize the others into the “keep,” “sell,” or “give” boxes before moving on.
If you find yourself stuck on any item, ask questions like “Have I used this in the past year?” and “Does this item hold significant sentimental value?” Click here to review Part I of this blog about the emotional side of decluttering.
Even when you’re looking forward to a move, it can be easy to overestimate how much your life will change in your new home.
You may think you’ll return to being an avid baker once you declutter and free up more time, but those dreams rarely come to fruition. If your baking pans collect dust now, they will likely do the same in your next home.
| Let’s recap step #3. Sort items into “Keep,” “Not Sure,” “Sell,” “Give,” and “Trash” boxes, making quick decisions and ensuring you only keep what you love or need while being realistic about future use. |
Step 4: Make decisions about your “Not Sure” box.
Once you have things side by side to compare, it is imperative that you make solid decisions before the move. After all, it costs time and money to pack, transport, unpack, repack, and haul things off!
Practical decisions, like reducing duplicates, are typically easier. Making decisions about sentimental items is harder. Here are a few ideas to streamline what you keep:
- Photos and videotapes. Consider scanning photos and converting videos to DVD (there are professional vendors who can help with this service; click here to see who I recommend). This will allow you to keep a digital version of your favorites. You can even use a digital frame that scrolls through your digital images so you can see them regularly. Remember: Photos are meant to spark memories, not document every moment of every experience.
- Books. If you have read a book and haven’t taken notes in the margin (or won’t re-read those notes), give it away so someone else can enjoy it.
- China, crystal, and silver. If you love your fine serveware, why not make it every-day special? Consider getting rid of your everyday plates and use the “good stuff.” If you won’t use it, there are crafters who make beautiful pieces of jewelry and small mementos from china and silver. Consider this special treat to yourself!
- Collections. Keep one or two of your favorite pieces and sell/donate the rest.
- Military memorabilia/medals. Frame and display these if the memories are good.
- Wedding dress. If another family member will not use this, have it made into a christening gown or handkerchief.
| Let’s recap step #4. To reduce your “Not Sure” box, repurpose special pieces and convert old media to digital formats. |
Step 5: Tackle your “Give” box.
Offer your belongings to family members now so you can see the joy it brings them in your lifetime.
However, don’t assume your family or friends want what you have. One way to avoid awkward interactions is to make a list of the things you would like to give away and ask friends and family to review it and tell you what they want.
You may find that distributing ordinary items is easy. You may experience more of an emotional response to letting go of sentimental items, but that’s okay. Honor your feelings and memories, then reflect on your initial goals. The more things you gift to others the easier it will be. My clients almost always report not missing things once they’re gone.
Consider donating what your loved ones don’t want.
When finding places to take donations, consider non-profit thrift stores, shelters, or schools that benefit causes you care about.
Craft supplies, stuffed animals, and usable linens can benefit camps and daycares. Animal shelters always need towels and sheets, even if they are tattered. Many charities will even send volunteers to collect your things from your home.
Be mindful about donating things that should be thrown out. Donating something that will have to be sorted out and thrown away later is counterproductive.
| Let’s recap step #5. Pass down your belongings now for immediate joy, but confirm interest with family first. Donate unclaimed items wisely to charities or shelters, ensuring items are suitable for donation. |
Step 6: Manage your “Sell” box.
There are numerous ways to sell your things, including garage sales, estate sales, consignments, auctions, pawn shops, and more. While getting cash for your things is always great, be realistic about how much you’ll make selling used items. Price your items aggressively with the goal of owning less, not making the money you spent back.
The value of used items is rarely what we think or hope it is. Remember your goal: You are moving into the future, not holding onto the past. Don’t spend all your time and energy trying to sell your stuff.
| Let’s recap step #6. Sell items through garage sales, estate sales, consignments, auctions, and pawn shops, aiming to reduce possessions and move forward rather than focusing solely on profit. |
Step 7: Dispose of Trash
Throw away all the things with little or no value to you, your family, or donation centers. Here are a few things to help you quickly determine what’s trash:
- Obvious trash (junk mail, empty boxes, etc.)
- Broken item (fix it now, or throw it away!)
- Ripped or torn item (fix it now or throw it away!)
| Let’s recap step #7. Dispose of items of little value by identifying obvious trash and damaged items. |
Step 8: Get help when you need it.
It’s natural to get stuck in the decluttering process (before you start or as you go). Here are some sources of help to consider:
- Family and friends. Don’t be embarrassed to ask your friends and family for help. Your loved ones want to know that your future is secure. Even more important, don’t turn down help if it’s offered. Decluttering and downsizing is a huge undertaking, even if you’re healthy and able. Let your people show up for you during this stage of your life!
- Professional help. If this process sounds too overwhelming, a professional organizer or senior move specialist can help keep you on track. A professional is highly recommended if you’re in poor health or chronically disorganized.
Most people say they wish they’d brought in a professional sooner. While it may be an investment upfront, having professional help can save you time and money in the long run and ensure you’ve addressed all aspects of your downsizing journey.
| Let’s recap step #8. Seek assistance when needed. Consider support from family, friends, or professional organizers for a smoother decluttering process. |
In case you didn’t know,
I’m a professional downsizer!
I’m Jill Hart, and I am an organizing & real estate professional who specializes in downsizing. If you need someone in your corner to get the ball rolling or to get a project across the finish line, please reach out.
When you work with me one-on-one, you can expect to:
- Get a plan. No matter how simple or complex your circumstances, we can help you confidently prepare for whatever’s next.
- Get a team. Between our in-house team of specialists & our roster of incredible vendors—we have you covered!
- Get on with your life! This change may feel like a lot at first, but we promise to get you seamlessly settled into a hopeful tomorrow.
Simply click here to schedule a discovery call with me to explore my services. It’s free, and you won’t ever feel pressured to work with me. I’m here to serve!
| Is it time to downsize? This 3-minute downsizing quiz will help you uncover insights into your emotional attachment, organizational skills, and future planning. Don’t leave your next chapter to chance—let’s get started together by gaining clarity on your downsizing journey! Click here to take the quiz. |
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Hi, I’m Jill Hart.
Back to my earliest memories with my grandmother, I’ve always had a desire to be around those living out the later chapters of their lives. That said, it made sense that my love for real estate didn’t really grab hold until I figured out I could use my skills to help this familiar population. Especially since, during a season of downsizing, support is a must!
I quickly realized that my clients didn’t just need to find different places to live or to sell their homes; they needed to make tough decisions about what to keep and what to share. They needed to organize, pack, and deliver donations. They needed to clean, make updates, and get ready to sell. Plus, they needed to do all this while managing their family’s feelings and opinions (and their own).
That’s why I built this business. We take care of planning, organizing, hauling, and cleaning, and we mix in more traditional real estate services when our clients need them. No matter your circumstances (or fears!), we make downsizing a whole lot easier.
{Click Here to Schedule a Discovery Call}
Learn more at silverpathwayshome.com.