"Less is more." This statement best describes the process of downsizing. In terms of moving, this concept goes beyond space and addresses core principles such as freedom, options, and potential.
Just picture this: you are moving into a new house, and every item in that house has a function. There is no clutter, and you feel much more relaxed. Sounds ideal, right?
If you’re thinking of making a shift, particularly to a new home with lesser square footage, then this article is for you.
A recent study conducted by the National Association of Realtors established that fifty-two percent of homeowners over fifty decided to downsize and move out of their current homes to simplify their lives and reduce their spending.
Also, the U.S. Census Bureau stated that 12% of the American populace relocates yearly, and many of these movers are choosing to downsize homes for fiscal concerns, life changes or retirement.
According to UCLA's Center on Everyday Lives of Families, the average American home is cluttered with more than 300,000 items and sorting out all of that may seem quite overwhelming.
But here’s the good news: but that doesn’t have to be the case because with the right strategy, it’s not that daunting.
Therefore, if you want to cut moving costs, plan for your retirement, or start a new life in a new house that does not need as much upkeep, consider downsizing your home before you move.
Why is Downsizing Good Before Moving?
Moving to a new home or simply needing to free up some space is a good reason to downsize. Here’s why:
Save on Moving Costs: This means fewer items are there to pack and unpack, so there will be less need for moving boxes and thus less on transportation.
Organizational Benefits: You will move into a new house without having to carry along all the stuff you have accumulated over the years; you will only have to carry the essentials that are important to you.
Emotional Relief: Decluttering frees you emotionally and physically when you are planning on moving to a new home or even a new country.
Benefits of Downsizing
Downsizing your home before moving offers several benefits beyond just making your move easier:
Financial Benefits: It will also free up space because you will be able to store less and spend less on transporting the items. If you are selling a house to buy a bigger house, you can get some profit or even have a lower monthly cost.
Reduced Maintenance: Getting rid of things reduces the amount of clutter that has to be dusted, sorted through, and fret over. Downsizing makes life easier, and you can use your spare time for the things you really want to do.
Increased Mobility: A smaller space is more convenient to maintain, especially in daily life, when we are in our senior years, or when we have other commitments.
Tips for Downsizing Your Home
Downsizing can be overwhelming, but with a few strategic tips, you can make it a manageable and even enjoyable process:
Start Early: You should start the process several months before the actual moving date. This gives you some time to decide which items to keep and which to dispose of. Hastening the process will cause stress and improper decisions.
Create an Inventory: Make a list of all that you own and put them into groups. This will assist you in being able to see all that you have and make decision making easier. Find out which items are duplicates or will not be suitable for your new area.
Measure Your New Space: To help you decide what to keep and what to sell or donate, know how your new home will be laid out and where you will store your belongings. The following will help you move only the items that are needed in the new house and those that can fit into the new house.
Use the 6-Month Rule: If something has not been used in the last six months than most probably it will never be used again. Based on the guideline below, you can strip off some items from your list.
How to Downsize Effectively
Before you can downsize properly, there are certain steps you need to follow and objectives that you need to meet. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a seamless downsizing process:
Define Your Goals: What is your main purpose of downsizing? Are you moving to cut costs, to live a flexible life, or to another region? Defining your goals will go a long way in determining your approach to downsizing.
Assess Emotional Attachments: Perhaps the most difficult thing is to let go of the things that have some sentimental value. Why not capture images of products you have used and do not have storage for but do not wish to part with?
Start with the Big Items: First of all, it is necessary to begin with big items and appliances that are at the same time the pieces of furniture. Find out what will fit into your new house and get rid of the rest by selling or donating them.
Use a Downsizing Checklist: Make a set of downsizing checklists to help you differentiate between what to keep, donate, or sell. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you are always on the right track as you work through the process.
Downsizing for Retirement
Retirement is the common reason for downsizing. Therefore, many retirees decide to move to smaller houses to cut expenses on home maintenance and improve the comfort of their living environment.
Downsizing does not necessarily mean moving to a smaller home; it is about changing the lifestyle for the better when you retire.
Consider Location: The location of where you downsize is important. You may move to be near family or opt to live in a society with many facilities specifically designed for retirees and with many social activities.
Plan for Healthcare Needs: Before you move, make sure you are settling in a new home near good health facilities and services that may be required, especially in your old age.
Rightsizing: Perhaps it is time to consider ‘rightsizing’ rather than downsizing; that is, to find a home that meets your family’s needs today and in the future, not the smallest house possible.
Preparation for downsizing and decluttering your home
Reducing the amount of stuff one has to move is crucial to downsizing, and that is where decluttering comes in. Here are some strategies to tackle clutter effectively:
Sell or Donate Unwanted Items: For instance, if you have things that you may want to sell, including valuable products, then sites such as eBay, Craigslist or even Facebook market place are recommended. You can also give other things to charity or other organizations.
Use the Three-Box Method: Make three labels on three different boxes to put the items: “Keep,” “Donate/Sell,” and “Discard.” This is how you should go about sorting your belongings as you move through the rooms of your house.
Digitize Documents: A good way to reduce the number of papers that are laying around your home is to scan them and keep them in your computer.
Downsizing – The Emotional Aspects
However, there is one more important aspect that is usually not discussed in relation to downsizing – the psychological one. This may simply be because it is depressing for someone to be leaving a home they have been living in for many years or even products they have been using for many years. Here's how to manage the emotional challenges of downsizing:
Acknowledge Your Feelings: It’s okay to be in a state of confusion. It is important that you let yourself cry and feel these things and tell this to your family or friends.
Create a Memory Book: Document the items you are decluttering and make a photo album Thus it will be possible to have the reminder of the item without having to keep the item physically.
Focus on the Future: Consider the advantages of the new place. You will have more money, no maintenance, and a new beginning.
Downsizing and Moving Tips
To ensure your move goes smoothly, here are a few additional downsizing and moving tips:
Hire a Professional: You may want to consider hiring a professional Mover who specializes in downsizing or moving to assist you in this process.
Label Boxes Clearly: Ask that each carton be taped and tagged with the items it contains and the area in the new house where it should be put.
Plan Your Move-in Day: First, it is recommended that you plan on the utilities and services you will require in the new house and plan the layout of the house so that you know where to place what you have.
