Conquering the Mountain of Downsizing
By the Eazy Peazy Downsizing Team
The thought of downsizing can feel like standing at the base of a towering mountain, with years of belongings and memories making the climb seem overwhelming. The good news is that with a clear vision and a thoughtful plan, you can go from feeling overwhelmed to confidently ascending that downsizing hill.
The first and most important step to take is to pause and imagine your vision. What are you dreaming about right now? Perhaps it’s repurposing a room, creating more space, or maybe your mobility has changed, and you want to move to a retirement living community.
Having this clear objective will guide your decisions and keep you motivated, especially during those times when the process feels very challenging. As with hiking up a mountain, you need to take one step, make one decision at a time.
If you want to move, goals to achieve this may include listing your home for sale, choosing the furniture and contents to take to your new home, removing remaining contents out of your house and setting up your new suite.
When dealing with your personal contents, sorting is one of the most effective ways to downsize, and it’s a 5-stage method we use with every client. We recommend the simple S.P.A.C.E. process: Sort what you have, Purge what you no longer need, Assign a home to what you’re keeping, Containerize for easy access and Evaluate over time.
For example, when downsizing your linen closet, begin by sorting items into simple categories such as towels, bed sheets and table linens. Keep only what you know you’ll use going forward, donate items that are still in good condition, and let go of anything worn out. Neatly store what remains, grouping similar linens together on the shelves or begin to box items up for your move. From time to time, notice what isn’t being used and consider donating extra linens. Try to be gentle and practical with yourself. Keeping 1 set of sheets for a queen bed may feel limiting, while 4 sets may be more than you truly need. The goal is to find a balance that supports comfort but keeps excess to a minimum.
Voila! You have now used S.P.A.C.E. to create space! This system applies beautifully with everything from paperwork and photos to collections and clothes.
With a well-laid out vision, a solid plan and using good sorting techniques, you will have the tools needed to traverse this terrain. Don’t forget to celebrate your progress along the way, and suddenly the view from the top, which is lighter, freer and more streamlined, is well worth the climb of downsizing.
Eazy Peazy Downsizing
Eazy Peazy Downsizing is celebrating its fifth year in business. Founded by Nicole Skiba, a Professional Home Economist and Trained Professional Organizer, the company was inspired by Nicole’s experience helping her own dad through the downsizing process. Today, Nicole and her dedicated team, Nancy, Lindsey and Dee, support older adults and families with practical, respectful help during life’s transitions. Contact Nicole at 587-598-6123 or eazypeazydownsizing.ca for more information.