Downsizing is one of those big life events and a decisive moment in your life. It can be an exciting and joyful experience for you. It’s the start of a new beginning. Downsizing can improve your mental health and offer benefits you may have not considered. The bad news is downsizing could be stressful and overwhelming. There is packing, unpacking, moving, finding the best storage solutions, setting up new utilities, painting etc. There could also be some unexpected or hidden financial expenses. When your life is in flux such as downsizing, so is your money. However, with some pre-planning and the right mindset, the downsizing journey could be a smooth transition for you. We have got you covered with some tips to help you along the way.
Keep your cool and don’t sweat the small stuff
The downsizing journey is not all doom and gloom. In fact, for most people it’s a good move. You could be downsizing because you are transitioning to retirement, moving out for the first time from your family home, or you just want to live in a smaller space and embrace minimalism. You could downsize to a smaller town, the city or to the country. For the most part, it’s an exciting time in your life. But with all good things, there could be a few bumps along the journey that could test you. Small things may get the better of you. Having said this, you have the power to change how you feel at any time during the process. If you find yourself overwhelmed, pause. Regroup.
Create a floor plan to design your new space
Once you are in the right mindset space planning is a must. Try to get a copy of the floor plan for your new place. If you can’t get one, use an online app to create one. Or you could simply use pen and paper to sketch out the layout of your new place. For example, if you want to set up a super functional home office, you will need to consider how much space you have. Make sure you have measurements of each room size. Keep in mind that homes with smaller footprints are wonderful but the space will feel different. Or the space may feel bigger than you thought. Arrange your furniture. Make sure you have space for walking or for opening up cabinets. If you are tight on space, you may need storage solutions to help. The point of this step is to get a feel for your new space and what it may look like once all of your furniture is in place.
Take stock of what you have
Now that you have a good idea of your layout and how your existing furniture fits, take inventory and make a list of what you have and what you are planning to keep. This will also make move easier. Create a list of categories room by room such as furniture, electronics, appliances, seasonal items, personal items and clothing, outdoor accessories, kids stuff. Tackle your closet head on. Open up your closet and decide what clothing, shoes and handbags you want to keep. If you don’t know what you want to keep, purchase a few plastic containers with clip-on lids. These will protect your clothes from moisture, dust, mould and mildew. But, remember you will have to go through these items in your new place. If you know what you want to give away, take advantage of the services offered by organizations who up-cycle gently used clothing or furniture, for example, The Salvation Army or Thrift Stores. Large or bulky items you plan to keep but are not part of your new furniture design or layout will require storage solutions such as basements, lockers or garages. There is a lot of heavy lifting involved in moving. Remember, you don’t have to do this all on your own. Set up a team. Ask for help from your friends and family.
Capture Precious Moments: Photograph Your Most Cherished Possessions
The biggest challenge you will face in the downsizing journey is to part with some of your personal items. It’s completely understandable. There are memories attached to everything you own. Experts suggest to take photos of especially hard to let go items. You will feel better, and your emotions won’t get the better of you. The photos will remind you of the items you gave away and you will feel much better about your decisions. Your family and friends may not appreciate these items so finding a new home for them will be important. The other alternative is to get some good storage bins and keep them for a while, until you find the heart to let them go. Storage solutions aside, it’s really up to you. But remember, the more you have, the more you have to move. Less is more.
Avoid purchasing new furniture or accessories for your new home at the moment
Give yourself some time to settle into your new home. Avoid the temptation to go shopping. If you do, buy only what you need, for example, if you don’t have a couch to sit on or a bed to sleep in. Get a feel for how you are living in your new place such as light, room flow, wall colours etc. Not only with this approach help you to manage your spending, but it will also give you some time to figure out what you really need. Be intentional and mindful. After a few months, add new items to your new home.
The downsizing journey has the potential to be a wonderful experience for you. Find joy in your new space one step at a time.
