If it has been a while since you moved into your current home, you’ve probably accumulated a lot of possessions you no longer want or need. The longer you’ve lived there, the more “stuff” you’ve likely collected.
Whether you’re planning on moving to another (perhaps smaller) home or staying put, it’s always good to clear out, pare down and declutter your living space. Think of it as a deep spring cleaning, one that could make your regular cleaning much easier to manage. Read on for some helpful tips on how to “rightsize” your belongings and give yourself more room to breathe.
Give yourself time
Depending on your circumstances, you may or may not have the luxury of spreading out this task over the course of several weeks or longer. The more time you can give yourself, the less daunting it will seem to go through years’ — maybe even decades’ — worth of belongings while you decide what to keep and what to “release.” Plus, you’ll have more opportunity to reminisce as you go through mementos of the past.
Having plenty of time will also let you plan when to tackle areas such as the attic, basement or garage so that it’s not too hot, too cold or too damp to be comfortable. And, you can work at a pace that suits you. If you can set aside an hour or two a day to devote to sorting through your belongings, you’ll get it done without getting worn down. You might even find yourself enjoying it!
Two good reasons to start early
If you have a move-out date or some other deadline by which you need to be finished, don’t procrastinate. Moving is stressful, whether you’ve done it many times or only a few. You can make it easier and give yourself a head start by getting rid of belongings you won’t use in your new space. There’s no point in hauling them around, and if you’re hiring a professional mover, you’ll save money by having less to move.
If you’re planning ahead and seeking to simplify matters for your children or others who will handle your estate, getting started now gives you more control over what happens to items that have significant meaning or value. Why wait until a medical emergency or similar life situation dictates who will make the decisions and how much time is available?
Put it in writing
Consider using a notebook dedicated just to this project. You can use it to jot down thoughts as they occur. For example, you might think of a family heirloom that you want to pass down to a favorite niece or grandchild. Or, maybe it occurs to you to check with a local organization to see if it would like your collection of Elvis memorabilia.
A notebook will also be invaluable for keeping detailed lists of who gets what, what goes where, when certain tasks should be completed and how it all should unfold. Make your lists as detailed as possible; what seems crystal clear to you when you create a list might not be so clear a few weeks (or months) later.
Buy supplies before you begin
Whether you want to label your possessions now and box them up later or pack as you go, it’s a good idea to purchase colored stickers/labels, felt-tip pens, zip-top plastic bags, boxes, bubble wrap and tape before you delve into the sorting process. That way, there’s less chance you’ll have to stop in the middle of what you’re doing.
Picture your new space
If you’ll be moving, a floor plan of your new home, complete with dimensions, will be indispensable. There are apps available to help you with this, such as MagicPlan, Grapholite Floor Plans and Planner 5D. Use the floor plan to mentally arrange your furniture and determine whether it and other belongings you intend to take with you will fit.
If you’re staying in your current home, a floor plan can still come in handy if you want to rearrange your furniture or make modifications to your home (if, say, a full-time caretaker or a family member will be moving in, or you need to make room for assistive devices).
Start small, and start easy
Those boxes filled with photos and paperwork from another era of your life might be a tempting place to begin, but it might not be the wisest choice. Sorting through those will be time-consuming — not only because of the volume but also because they’ll bring up myriad memories.
Instead, think about starting with items that won’t trigger your emotions. The laundry room or bathroom is often a good place to start. Chances are you can get through either of those fairly quickly, giving you a strong sense of accomplishment right off the bat.
Should it stay or should it go?
As you begin considering your possessions one by one, there are a number of approaches you can take. Some people prefer to limit their choices to “yes” and “no.” Others prefer to include “maybe.” Having only two options will likely make the overall process faster, but this strategy could be hard to adhere to. If you include “maybe” as a third option, you’ll eventually have to decide yes or no anyway, but it might help you get through the first round of elimination more quickly.
If you don’t need to or aren’t ready yet to pack anything, you can use colored stickers to label items you want to hold on to, donate, give to a friend or family member, or toss out. Or, if you have enough space, you could begin by sorting items into different boxes according to where they will eventually end up. If you’ll be moving within a couple of weeks, it might make sense to start by packing items you’ll definitely be taking with you (but won’t need before you go). Then you only have to decide the fate of what’s left.
Here are several questions to ask yourself as you sort:
- Do I really want or need this?
- How often have I used (or worn) this in the last year?
- Would someone I know like to have this?
- Do I have/need more than one of these?
- Will I have room for this in my new home?
If you’re moving and will have fewer bedrooms or bathrooms in your new home, paring down your linen closet is a sensible plan. How many sets of sheets and towels do you need? Rather than keeping extras that will take up space in a closet, why not let someone else make good use of them? If you won’t have a yard or pool to keep up in your new home, you won’t need all of those tools and supplies anymore.
If you have large collections, consider keeping only a few of your favorite pieces and taking photos of the rest before selling them or giving them away. You can easily take and view photos on your phone or tablet (ask a friend or family member to show you if you don’t know how). If you have lots of old photos in albums, you could convert them to digital versions to save space and have easier access to them.
As you work your way through your belongings, think of the process as a way to simplify your life. Plan to surround yourself with only those things you truly enjoy and need.
The actual letting go
Once you’ve decided which of your possessions deserve a second chance — with someone else — there are many options for “rehoming” them:
- Have a moving sale or yard sale. You may not get much per item, but it’s a relatively easy way to unload large quantities of unwanted items in a day or two.
- Put high-end items on consignment. Expect to pay the consignment shop a percentage of the sales proceeds, but you’ll still end up with more than if you sold them at a yard sale. You may want to have valuable items appraised by an expert to make sure you know what they’re worth.
- Post items for sale online. You’ll reach a larger pool of potential buyers this way and possibly get a higher price, but bear in mind that the additional exposure comes with some additional risk.
- Hire a professional for an estate sale. If you’re short on time or energy, this option simplifies matters. The fee might be worth it.
- Give to family members and friends. You could even have a “clearing out” party. They get things they want, you gain space and peace of mind, and everyone has the opportunity to create more good memories.
- Make a donation (or several). Some charitable organizations will come pick up large or heavy items. And, depending on what your tax adviser says, you may catch a break on tax day. In addition to well-known charities such as the Salvation Army and Goodwill, many churches, schools and camps will gladly accept donated items. You can also donate gently used clothing, furniture and other items to Sun Health Foundation’s Resale Shops, where proceeds are used to support health care services in the community.
- Dispose of household products (appropriately!). As you’re going through your kitchen, bathroom(s) and garage, you might find hazardous waste products — such as paint, oil, cleaning chemicals and old medications — that shouldn’t be thrown in the trash or poured down the sink. Check online for local guidelines to dispose of these items in ways that are safe for the environment, or contact Waste Management.
Good help is easy to find
Just like there are companies that specialize in helping corporate executives move, there are businesses that exist specifically to help older adults who are ready to downsize and move. They’re commonly referred to as senior move managers, and you can find one through the National Association of Senior Move Managers at www.nasmm.org. This kind of service can be particularly helpful when the need is immediate.
Sun Health Communities collaborates with Moving Station to make the entire transition more efficient. If you choose a Sun Health Community location as your new home, we’ll partner you with a personal relocation manager to serve as your guide for advocacy, education and support at every stage of your move.
