Downsizing tips for Seniors
Deciding to move to a smaller house can be daunting for many empty-nesters. Seniors may find it exciting to have a less stressful lifestyle, while others may find it difficult to leave the home they've known for a long time. No matter how you feel about downsizing, it is essential to adjust your mindset and break the decluttering process down to actionable steps. Our downsizing tips for seniors is all about prioritizing the why behind your move and creating a step-by-step routine.
The Right Mindset Will Help Seniors Downsize Before Moving
It is so important to keep the why behind your downsizing at the forefront. Dig deep into the why to give it sincere meaning. A trick to do this is to ask yourself "Why" 5 times.
An example of how this works is to ask yourself: "Why do I want to downsize our home." Let's say you answer "because I want to save money." Ask yourself again: "why do you want to save money?" You do this five times. You will be amazed at how meaningful the real why behind your plans is.
With your "why" in mind, write down a must-have list. If you have many "must-haves," start by writing every one of them down and then narrowing it down to the real must-haves.
Remember, downsizing is not about losing your current lifestyle; it's about gaining a new one!
Think Like a Minimalist
Minimalists can provide excellent downsizing tips for seniors. Minimalism is the principle of having a lifestyle of less: less clutter, things, and stress. Minimalists often preach how having less has given them a life of more freedom. Their spaces are easier to maintain, they do not feel burdened by the need to have the latest products, and they value quality over quantity.
Marie Kondo is a highly influential person for the minimalist movement. She teaches with her books, training, and Netflix series the value of only owning the things that bring you joy. If you pick up an item and it does not spark joy, it probably means you don't need it.
While many downsizing seniors may not be ready to go all-in on the minimalism movement, they should consider adopting some of their principles. Even if it's only during decluttering, the concept of valuing the quality of things over quantity can be inspiring.
Decluttering and Downsizing Tips
As Shara Kay, founder of SK Organizing, based in Los Angeles, advises:
"We approach downsizing as the beginning of an exciting new chapter — a chance to start fresh with a curated selection of the most loved items from the prior home that fit the client's new space. We encourage starting early (at least a month before moving) and reviewing things category by category."
You may want to break categories down by item types, such as books, clothes, jewelry, or room. It's not an either-or decision: you can easily separate your categories down by stamp collection, clothes, antiques, and bathroom.
Collections and Heirlooms
You may find that you have too many heirlooms and collectible items you won't want to donate or sell. You may want to consider handing them down to the special people in your life with sentimental value items. It is often advised for your collections to keep 3-5 of your favorite items in your collections while letting the rest go.
Ask a Professional
Shara knows all too well from her work with retired couples and seniors how downsizing your home can be overwhelming. "It's often an emotional process, but there is plenty of support available. As professional organizers, we guide clients through the decision-making process, along with advising on the sale, donation, and disposal of the items being let go."
Make it a Fun, Positive Process
When downsizing your home, you have an excellent opportunity to go down memory lane. Every item in your home tells a story. Downsizing is a time of remembering and even celebrating the life you've had in the house.
So consider inviting your loved ones into the process. Let them help you through the process. They can offer support, laughter, and even tears while reminiscing. Even playing some music, sharing a glass of wine, and sharing stories as you work with friends can make the process a lot less daunting.
Downsizing Tips for Empty-Nesters
We hope our tips for downsizing can help you as you move forward to a new life in your next home. Seniors may find this to be an emotionally-draining time, so it is vital to get support (from friends, family, and experts), stick to our actionable downsizing home tips, and keep a positive mindset.
It's just as Shara Kay says: Downsizing is an opportunity to surround yourself with your favorite things and to create a calmer, cleaner, safer environment — beneficial for everyone, but especially important for seniors!
Shara Kay is a Certified Professional Organizer and the owner of SK Organizing, LLC, based in Beverly Hills. She is the current President of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals - Los Angeles Chapter.