Although moving into a new home is exciting, the months leading up to it can be extremely nerve-wracking. But despite being challenging, this experience provides the perfect opportunity to start fresh and create new memories.
Starting anew means letting go of things that were once important to you. And this is where downsizing comes in. Whether moving into a bigger home or scaling back to a smaller one, you must downsize before packing your things. The process of downsizing can be beneficial for several important reasons. First, it reduces the vast clutter that unconsciously accumulates around the house, making moving things into the new place easier. So, for example, if you’re moving from Tampa, FL, to the other side of the country, you must only take what you need. Even though a long-distance moving company can help you haul heavy items, it’s best only to transport your essentials to a new place.
Secondly, downsizing gives you more room in your new home, avoiding a cramped living space. However, if the idea of downsizing overwhelms you, don’t worry. With these seven strategies below, you’ll be ready to make your big move quickly.
1. Make a plan
When making a big move, hundreds of things are always on your mind. Therefore, you must first sit and carefully strategize a working plan for downsizing, outlining what you must do and how to do it. Write down everything you plan on getting rid of and set a timeline to finish all the work on time.
If you’re in the west and moving across the country, it may help to look for long distance moving companies in Tampa to make your move easier. It’s wise to book them beforehand and avoid forgetting until they’re all booked.
You can also use the floor plan of your new home to decide which of your old furniture will fit in there. This way, you won’t have to move items that will only cramp the space.
2. Start small
Rather than trying to declutter your entire house at once, tackle one room or area at a time. Packing like this can help you feel less overwhelmed and pack things more efficiently.
Start with your kid’s bedroom. Go through their toys and possessions and figure out what they’ve outgrown. Keep them in a separate box and label them properly, so you know it’s for giving away rather than moving.
Next, you can move into your room or the garage—whatever’s more convenient. Assign a day for each room in the house and check them off the list as you finish.
3. Sort your belongings
Sorting your belongings into categories is a great way to stay organized and make the downsizing process more manageable. Start by dividing your belongings into three categories: keep, sell, donate, and throw away.
Items you plan on keeping must be labeled appropriately and packed if you won’t need them for the upcoming days. If you want to throw away some things, it’s best to do it as soon as possible instead of accumulating a pile of junk to throw all together. Consider utilizing services such as Junk Removal in Colorado Springs.
When you divide all your belongings into categories, it’s easier to manage them. And while you may get tempted to hoard some of the items, you must sort carefully and avoid taking things you won’t have space for.
4. Get an early start
The earlier you start the downsizing process, the better. Sorting through years of accumulated possessions can take time, so giving yourself plenty of it is essential. Don’t wait until the last minute to downsize; you’ll feel rushed, stressed, and anxious. Even if the move is more than six months away, it’s never too early to start.
Go through the things you only occasionally use first and figure out what you can downsize from there. Move down the list in order of priority and see how quickly you’ll be able to sort through the entire house within no time.
5. Rent a storage unit
While downsizing means you must clear out all those things you no longer need, sometimes it’s too difficult to throw away certain items. However, if you don’t have enough space to take them, consider renting a storage unit and keeping the bulkier and heavier items there. To avoid damaging your belongings, you must take care of factors like temperature control, location, and security, when picking a storage unit.
But while a storage unit can provide a reprieve, you’ll have to get rid of these things at some point. Therefore, it’s better to sort them when you’re already packing and give them away to someone who might have a more practical use for them.
6. Use the “one-year” rule
The “one-year” rule is a helpful guideline for downsizing and decluttering. This rule suggests that if you haven’t used or worn an item in over a year, you should consider letting it go.
To implement this rule, start by reviewing each room in your home and identifying items you haven’t used or worn in over a year. Ask yourself why you’re holding onto these items and whether they have any value or purpose. Be honest with yourself, and don’t be afraid to discard things you don’t need.
Once you’ve identified items you no longer need, place them separately from those you want to keep. If you’re unsure about an item, set it aside and return to it when you have a fresher mind and perspective.
7. Sell or donate items
Downsizing can provide an ideal win-win situation. You clear out things you no longer need, and someone else who can benefit from them receives them. Once you’ve sorted all your belongings and set aside items for selling or donating, take a few days from your week and organize a garage sale. Or better yet, place online advertisements for whatever you’re selling and let a customer contact you for the transaction. This way, you can earn some extra cash you can put toward moving expenses while simultaneously getting decluttering the house.
You can also donate your old clothes and shoes to charities or local shelters so that they can keep them for their use.
Conclusion
When making a big move, downsizing is an important step that can help you simplify your life, reduce clutter, and make the moving process smoother and less stressful. By removing items you no longer need or use, you can create more space in your new home and focus on the things that matter most to you.
If you find the process daunting, use these strategies above as a guide and see how you can create a more comfortable and fulfilling living space in your new home.