Downsizing is probably one of the things that we, as Professional Organizers, do most. It seems to be part of every job no matter what the circumstance. Whether someone is organizing, remodeling, moving or dealing with the estate of a loved one, downsizing is always part of the equation.
At one point or another downsizing will be necessary! We all have stuff! We all probably have too much stuff. But, how much is too much?
Here are some questions to think about:
• Do you park your $30,000 vehicle on the street and put the stuff that you haven’t needed or used in years in the garage?
• Do you feel anxious when you’re at home because there’s too much stuff all over the place and you don’t know what to do with it?
• Do you have boxes of stuff in the garage that you saved for your children but they are now living on their own (with children of their own) and either don’t have room for it or don’t want it (ie.,the artwork you saved from their childhood)
• Do you have furniture from your parents’ home in your garage or in storage because at the time of their passing or downsizing you didn’t know what to do with it so you just moved it and stored it?
• Are you moving into smaller quarters and won’t have room for everything you now own?
• Do you have a storage unit filled with stuff that you can’t access easily because it’s all stacked up to the ceiling?
At this point many of you have answered yes to more than one of these questions. If so, read on.
You’ve been living in your home for 10, 15, 20 or more years. You’ve raised your children there or you and your significant other have built your lives there. Over time, you’ve acquired collections, treasures, photographs and other memorabilia. You have random tools, things that need fixing, things that you only use for holidays, things you don’t really use but don’t want to get rid of just in case you need it someday. You have things people got for you as gifts that you didn’t have the heart to get rid of because they may ask you where “it” is next time they see you. You have other things that were passed on to you by a loved one that has sentimental value but you never liked anyway.
Bottom line…you’ve got STUFF! Now what?
Well, I’m thinking that it’s time to downsize. The most important advice I can impart is… do it now and do it regularly. Don’t leave all of your “stuff” for someone else to deal with. Your children or loved ones will be completely overwhelmed and will have to make decisions that will be difficult and expensive. Further, they may not have the time, money or where-with-all to deal with your stuff.
Please take some time to consider what you have and what you need.
• Consider selling some items that may have value. You can sell via apps, on-line sites, garage sales, Estate Sales, private party, consignment, auction, swap meets. The list goes on…
• Think about things that you can pass along to your loved ones now so that you can see them enjoy whatever it is.
• Donate those items that don’t have much value (usually the threshold is items that are less than $100)
• Throw away anything that is broken, stained, missing a piece, rusty.
All of these are viable and easy options. If, for some reason, you can’t or don’t want to take this on by yourself, give us a call and we will facilitate the entire process.
We would LOVE to be of service!