Many people are making the step to downsize – from empty nesters, to those looking to spend less and live more simply. Whatever your reason – it can be a tough and emotional process. Working out what you should keep, what can you pass on, or items to store can be a challenge. Let us help. Here are 5 smart tips to help you start on your downsizing journey.
1. Start as soon as possible
You don’t need to wait until you are about to move, to downsize. Start as soon as you are thinking about it. Taking it slow and steady will ease the stress and panic.
Go through all your items to work out what continues to ‘spark joy’. Review your cupboards and stick to the 1 year rule. If it has not been worn or used in the last 12 months, it is time to go!
Everything can generally be split into the follow categories: Keep, throw, donate, sell or store. Take your time to review every nook and cranny in your house and place them into the categories. Then act accordingly!
2. Share sentimental items
There may be items that have sentimental value that you can’t take into the new home. Whey not ask family and friends if they would like to have something?
Otherwise, you can keep the memory alive without taking it with you. For example, Kids art and projects from over the years can be photographed and put into a keepsake book.
3. Map out your new space
When you have decided upon your new intended home, map it out on paper so you can work out what is going to fit.
Measure up your appliances and bulkier items that you want to keep – and sketch out on paper whether they will fit into your new place. Remember to check if you can fit things through doors, and the ceiling height is important too.
4. Digitise what you can
Now is the time to go paperless if you can. So, alter your bank or utilities settings to go paperless only. Collate all the paper in your house and shred everything that is no longer needed.
Scan in copies of anything else you need and store them virtually. For any pieces of paper that have to be kept as originals sort into storage folders so you can easily transport and keep organised in your new location.
5. Use Storage as a stopgap
It will be hard to work out everything that you can keep vs. the size of your new space. So, if you need more time – use a storage facility as your stopgap. You can rent a storage room for a temporary period while you move into your new home, and work out how your new simpler life will go.
If you want to find out more about storage, visit Shurgard. You will find all our storage rooms, price and availability online. The process is simple and without commitment so you can take the time to fit into your new home.
Do you have some more top tips for downsizing? Let us know in the comments below.
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