Downsizing

Downsizing sounds like a wonderful, beautiful thing - until you start actually doing it. Simplify your life, they say. Get rid of the clutter and your life will be easier, says all of the gurus. But when the object is actually in your hand, when you are holding that dish or bowl or coffee mug, and you have to decide to keep or let go - Downsizing isn’t very fun.

You’re moving to a smaller place or you just know it’s time to start paring things down. How do you even start the process of Downsizing? I’ve helped dozens of clients go through this process, and together we have figured out a lot about people and Downsizing. I have learned a lot about people’s relationship with things - and I’m ready to share what I have learned with you.

The first thing to understand about downsizing is that it is a negative emotion. What I mean is that when you make a decision to part ways with an object, you experience negative feelings: loss, regret, remorse, even guilt for thinking about parting with a keepsake. These are real feelings and very normal with so many of our clients. It’s really hard day after day to keep facing those negative feelings. But what do you do? You know all of this stuff can’t come with you.

Plan like you’re going on a trip. My wife and I are planning a trip this Spring to celebrate our 30th anniversary. We are going to be gone for 10 days and will be traveling lightly, moving the whole time. We are spending a lot of time and thought focusing on what few items and outfits we need to take with us on our trip. We’re excited about our trip and are having a lot of fun planning what to take with us.

If you know where you are going or have an idea of what you want in your next home, focus on what will be going with you. Start with a list of rooms that will be in your new home. You can write down on a piece of paper all of the rooms in your new home. Kitchen, eating area, living room, bedroom, bathroom. Next, start writing down what large pieces of furniture will be going into your new home. The kitchen table is definitely going with you. A China cabinet will look great on the wall in your daily dining area. But that side table, their just isn’t any room in your new home for that piece.

If your schedule allows, go ahead and move. See how your new home feels. Are you missing a piece or does your new home feel right. You can always bring a piece of furniture over with you.

Now, what do we do with everything else? If there are pieces of furniture or items that you know family members would like, this is the time to pass those pieces down. Maybe your children would like some family heirloom p