When it comes to downsizing, it can be difficult to know where to start. It's a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. With the right approach, you can reduce your size and simplify your life without compromising on the things that matter most. In this article, we'll discuss how to start early, take inventory of what you have, sort and order, consider sentimental items, don't do it all at once, sell what you don't need, think about your new lifestyle, and more. Start early and take inventory of what you have.
This is the first step in downsizing. Make a list of all the items in your home and decide which ones you need and which ones you don't. This will help you determine what needs to stay and what needs to go. Once you have a list of items that need to be sorted through, start sorting them into categories such as furniture, clothing, books, etc. When sorting through your items, consider sentimental items.
These are items that may have special meaning or memories attached to them. If you can't bear the thought of getting rid of them, consider giving them to a friend or family member. You can also take (digital) photos to remember them as well. Don't do it all at once. Downsizing can be overwhelming and it's important to take it one step at a time.
Start with one room or one area of your home and work your way through it slowly. This will help you stay organized and make sure that nothing gets overlooked. Sell what you don't need. If you have items that are still in good condition but no longer serve a purpose in your home, consider selling them. This is a great way to make some extra money while also reducing the size of your home. Think about your new lifestyle.
When downsizing, it's important to think about how your new lifestyle will look. Consider how much space you will need for each room and how much storage space you will need for all of your belongings. When moving to a smaller home, look carefully at the floor plan or take a tour with a measuring tape to get a real idea of where you can place your tables, chairs and sofas. You may realize that you can keep your dining table but need to sell your breakfast table or that you can keep your sofa and a chair but it's time to give away your two-seater sofa. When thinking about a storage unit, multiply the cost by a year or two and decide if sentimental items are worth keeping. Nobody rents a storage unit thinking they plan to continue paying this rent for the next 10 years. If you don't move it to your new home, sell it, donate it or throw it away.
There shouldn't be a fifth stack to store. When reducing the size of your home, consider options such as downsizing rooms instead of entire homes or moving to a smaller home than a larger one. It's important to consider these options when reducing the size as they could change your opinion about whether to keep or sell certain items. If you're moving everything yourself, a 300-pound porcelain cabinet might be better suited for the consignment shop to avoid hassles and the risk of injury. When you love yourself and your life, it'll be easier to downsize and simplify because you'll do it for the right reasons: to focus on what really matters to you. When you reduce your life and focus on experiences and relationships rather than things, you'll be happier as a result. Two years ago I reduced the size of my belongings so that I could move from a two-bedroom house into a studio apartment. Reducing the size of your home can save you time, money and space but most importantly allows you to learn how to live fuller with less. If you care about the environment reducing your life is also great way to reduce your carbon footprint. When most people think about reducing their staff they think about having a smaller house or getting by with just one car instead of two but when you focus on the things that are really important you'll discover that you don't need so many things to be happy and it will be easier to reduce your size and simplify your life. If you're still hesitant about getting rid of things in your house check out these top reasons why reducing your life right now is beneficial:
- You'll save money
- You'll save time
- You'll have more space
- You'll reduce stress
- You'll be more organized
Start early, take inventory of what you have, sort and order, consider sentimental items, don't do it all at once, sell what you don't need, think about your new lifestyle - these are all great ways to reduce size without compromising on what matters most.
