Downsizing Tips For A Stress-Free Move

Moving to a smaller home can feel daunting, but you can save memories, minimize clutter, and make a move as stress-free as possible with the right plan in place. Downsizing moves, in particular, can often feel bittersweet. You’re excited about starting a new chapter in your life but sad to leave so many beautiful memories behind. However, the opportunity to start fresh can be rewarding. We’ve got five tips to help you navigate to your next chapter from the home you’ve loved so well.

Make A Plan

Taking the time to estimate the new spaces accurately will allow you to understand better what you wish to keep and what needs to go. Moving is a big job, and it’s impossible to tackle it all at once. As you decide what to keep and what to get rid of, do one room at a time. Plan to do a little work each day, and leave extra time, so you aren’t rushed. Decide on your furniture first. You don’t want to reshuffle everything if you can’t take that bookshelf with you. Having a plan will give you the best idea of how much space you have to fill.

Eliminate The Things From Rooms You Won’t Have In Your New Home

If you’re moving to a condo or townhome, you might not have an office space or a garage. Most items in these spaces will need to be relocated to other rooms, sold, donated, or tossed. We suggest organizing backward. The most common pairing method is to pick out the stuff you don’t want and pack the rest. We would encourage you to try the opposite — pack the things that are absolute yeses first. What’s left can then be sorted, and you can make a better decision about what to do with it.

Be Honest With Yourself

Will you use it? It’s easy to convince yourself you might wear that 10-year-old shirt with the tags still on someday. But if it hasn’t been used in the past year, you will likely never use it. As you sort, follow a strict yes or no policy — don’t allow “maybes.” Make a “no” pile and a “yes” pile, and make yourself choose. If you aren’t convinced, the item is a yes; it’s a no. You want to avoid a “Maybe” pile because it creates more work for you later. Items you no longer want or need may be helpful to someone else through donations. You can also utilize friends and family. If you have special items, you may not have room for, but they are equally treasured by someone else, pass them on.

Allow Yourself Time To Reminisce

While cleaning and sorting, there will be some days when you want to stop emptying rooms and look through the old drawings, mementos, and once-prized possessions. It’s OK to pause and allow nostalgia to take over. Cry or grieve if you need to, or move on to a different room and return later. Giving yourself time to decompress emotionally is one of the best reasons to start early. But don’t let it prevent you from getting the job done.

Be Patient With Yourself, But Remember Your Ultimate Goal

Inevitably, most people will struggle with nostalgia when they’ve reached a point where it’s time to downsize. Change is hard for everyone, but you can use the opportunity to look forward as well as back. Focus on all of the things you stand to gain from the move. Get excited about the positives and appreciate the wonders of the evolution of our lives.

Downsizing doesn’t have to be stressful, sad, or scary; it can be fun, uplifting, and renewing. Perspective is everything.

Living Houston Specializes In Helping Clients Downsize

Having an experienced REALTOR® who understands the ins and outs of downsizing and who has your best interests at heart is crucial. When our clients decide they want to downsize, we offer them unparalleled support. We assist our clients in helping their new place feel like home as quickly as possible. If you or someone you love is considering downsizing and you’re looking for guidance, contact Living Houston.