Did you know that during this pandemic, millions of Americans have been cleaning out closets, drawers, garages, and attics in an effort to keep busy, be productive, and more than likely check off these items on their "To Do" lists.
However, downsizing is more than just the physical aspect of removing items from your life, there's a real psychology and emotional commitment when purging tangible stuff.
After helping my in-laws downsize twice, and then helping my mother purge 40 years of stuff, I've learned a few tips that I'd like to share with you to help you with this task.
#1 - Begin with a PRODUCTIVE MINDSET
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| Photo Credit: Pixabay |
The whole idea of downsizing is to have LESS STUFF!
There are known psychological benefits to this.
Less stuff means less burden on your physical and mental self.
Less stuff means less to clean, move, and store.
Less stuff means fewer decisions to make about "said stuff" which releases you to make decisions on things that really matter.
The whole adage of "Less is More" rings true!
#2 - Separate your personal NEEDS & WANTS in life.
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| Photo Credit: picjumbo.com |
What do you really need to be happy, every day?
What are the things that make your life more comfortable or enjoyable?
Create a list - yes, actually create a written list - of those things that bring true joy and meaning to your life.
I have often said to people "If you could only take 100 items that mean the most to you, what would they be?"
You'd be surprised what you think of as precious, and what could easily be replaced.
Currently, a good bit of our home is packed for our downsizing move. I can honestly say that I am not missing any of those packed items one bit - this means that when I go to open those boxes in our new home I need to evaluate if they will really work for us.
#3 - Start with STORED ITEMS
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| Photo Credit: Jeswin Thomas |
If you have unopened boxes in storage, start there.
One box at a time. Don't overwhelm yourself.
Ask yourself if you know exactly what's in that box and why is it still there.
Perhaps it's stuff and memories that belong to a deceased family member and you are struggling to know what to do with it.
This may be a time to walk through your life's history, appreciating the past, but defining your future.
Reminisce, but don't ruin the reality.
Things are not people.
When I was helping my mother go through this type of stuff I had to remind her that her mother (my dear grandmother) was not that plate, box, or chachkie.
I helped her keep only the items that had a particular meaning to her that belonged to her mother.
For instance, for me, my grandmother always served her string beans in a particular dish.
I LOVED her string beans so I now have the dish.
You also have to realize that what you think is so special (because it belonged to them) may not have been anything more than what it was... like the string bean dish: it was just a dish to my grandmother that held the string beans best because of its shape.
Those loved ones would not want YOU burdened with THEIR stuff just because it belonged to them.
Give yourself the gift of memories and get rid of the overwhelming stuff.
#4 - Ask yourself some KEY QUESTIONS
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| Photo Credit: Pixabay |
For each item that you may be struggling with, ask yourself these series of questions.
How does this item serve me in my everyday life and pursuit of happiness?
You will need to figure out if the item has value and brings you true happiness. Is it serving you in a way that gives you joy and enhances or makes better your everyday living?
Many of our items are taking up space and acquiring dust while never serving their true calling.
Things like your family china set which never gets used.
Sure, it's pretty and is in excellent condition, but you still don't use it.
The question is why?
If you're not using it, it's not making you happy.
Either use it or lose it.
Do I have duplicates of this item, and if so, how many do I really need?
One of the funniest stories happened when I helped my momma downsize.
She had 9 paring knives.
Yes, 9.
No one, unless you're a Food Network star, needs 9 paring knives.
We went 3 rounds, in front of friends, over those stupid knives.
I believe she kept 2 or 3.
She really only needed 1, but I threw her a bone and she kept a few that she liked the best AND USED.
She believed she needed all 9, but no one needs that many.
I have one and use it exclusively.
When we hold on to too many of one thing, we are really clinging to a scarcity mentality.
We think we MIGHT need it in the future, only to RARELY have the future materialize.
Am I holding on to this because it is valuable?
I say all the time "Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it."
IF, and that's a big IF, you think an item has real value, spend the time and the money to have it properly appraised.
At that point, you can sell it for the money or keep it and insure it.
Yes, all those Beanie Babies may still be stored in the attic for the big dollar windfall that was going to happen, but that train has left the building.
Unless it's a highly coveted, Antiques Roadshow piece, chances are you are attaching more monetary value to it that it really is.
We tend to overvalue our stuff because we paid "good money" for it and we hate to think that money was wasted.
This is where the money value turns into emotional value and we get stuck.
The reality is, if you bought it and used it, and enjoyed it, then you got your monies worth.
If you bought it and didn't use it then you need to evaluate why you bought it, learn that lesson, and be more thoughtful with your dollars in the future...
Then let it go!
#5 - REGIFT, REHOME, UPCYCLE, or RECYCLE
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| Photo Credit: pixabay |
These are some of the easiest things to do with "good stuff" that you do not want to see placed in the trash.
Regift items that are in pristine condition, OR are family heirlooms that another family member would use and value that item.
Perhaps grandma's sewing table would look perfect in your cousin's guest room as a side table instead of the basement or attic of your home.
Rehoming items is easy.
I always offer good clothing, household goods, and the like to friends and family first.
If they don't want it, I donate OR I might sell on an app like Mercari or Poshmark.
Remember, if you donate it to charity, take a donation ticket so you can get a tax credit at the end of the year. At least you are getting some of the value back from it.
Upcycling and recycling are just ways of looking for another use for an item.
The teacup you have from your great aunt could make a cute jewelry catcher for a guest or even for your bedside table.
The old lamp might need a good spray paint job and a new shade for your child's dorm room.
Check out Pinterest for ways to reuse items.
#6 - Ask a FRIEND FOR HELP
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| Photo Credit: Elle Hughes |
Sometimes you need the help of someone not emotionally tied to your "stuff."
A good, honest friend can help you work through the process of making decisions on things that need to go or stay.
They can give you a perspective that you maybe didn't consider.
I've helped several people through this process, and although they thought I was pretty tough during the process, they have all been happy once the dust settled and they were freer than they even thought they could be.
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| Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio |
You can do this.
You can downsize.
Ask yourself "How do I eat this elephant?"
ONE BITE AT A TIME!
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