How to prepare for retirement and Downsizing your home!

This blog is going to go through some steps for helping you to prepare for downsizing your home. We understand that this can be a overwhelming process, and can have a huge impact on your everyday life and can stop you from moving forward. Downsizing is about moving forward with your life, so by decluttering your space, you can gain the energy and clarity you need to take those steps. Perfect for retirees and those looking to retire and prepare for a new journey in retirement.

What is decluttering and why do you need it?

While you may feel like you live a simple and decluttered life, there may be a time when a 4 bedroom home is too much and you’d like to live somewhere that gives you more time to get out and enjoy your life,

No matter how old you are, moving can be stressful. When it comes to downsizing a home or transitioning into a senior living community, there is a lot to do–whether it be packing, discarding, cleaning, paperwork, and a host of other tasks. On top of the labour of physically moving things from one place to the next, there’s the emotional toll that comes with parting with items that hold sentimental value. However, it’s a necessary step.

It is understandable that there is a lifetime of memories in your home and this process is not taking away from what is valuable to you, but giving you an opportunity to assess what is really important to you and what you need. It is decluttering your home and mind. Essentially you need to reduce your belongings so that you can move forward

The benefits to decluttering your belongings in preparation to move include:

• Get’s your home ready to put it on the market
• Allows you to fully enjoy the items you hold onto.
• Locating your possessions more quickly and easily.
• Letting go of additional “baggage” (quite literally!) that may be cluttering both your mind and space.

Getting started

Sometimes just getting started is the hardest part. First of all take the time to think about what is important to you in life, whether that be travel, sports or community activities, this will help you to determine what brings you joy and adds value to your life.

When you become clear on what your needs are, you will have the ability to be more decisive and set on what will qualify as essential items in the future. Make a list of what you use on a daily basis as well as the most important sentimental items you own. It also pays (if you can) to keep in mind the space you are moving to. This will help you be more realistic.

The next step is to have a plan.

• Make a list of the areas or rooms you have to tackle and how long you think each area will take. (it it always satisfying to tick items off your list as you go as well.)
• Don’t have too high expectations of yourself. Start small (not spice draw small), but maybe spareroom cupboard small.
• Rather than jumping all around the place (and getting lots of steps up on your fitbit), it pays to focus on one area at a time. This is a much more time efficient manner.
• If things need to go in another room, just make a pile outside the space you are working in, to tackle once you are finished.

The Process

When you are ready to get going, roll your sleeves up and get going.

It is best to have 4 piles or boxes to help you process the items. These are:

• Keep
• Throw
• Donate
• Store

Does something have value to you? Use it. Whether it be intrinsic value or monetary value, that doesn’t matter, as long as you use it and it adds something to your life.

Also, take the time to ask your loved ones what is important to them, and if you don’t need it then pass it on now. Be a part of them enjoying the item that means so much to them

If it doesn’t, out it goes.

Think sustainably when you are disposing of your belongings – could it be used by someone else? Hospitals, refuge centers, another family member?

Your first impulse in downsizing may be to stick everything in storage and deal with it later. However, in the long-term this decision only postpones the inevitable job of downsizing. You’ll save money and reduce stress if you go through the process sooner rather than later. Always ask yourself first, what are you storing it for? Is it a collection to sell, or simply because you can’t quite let go.

Who can help?

• Enlist people to help, whether it be emotional or physical assistance – it’s ok to ask. If you feel comfortable, reach out to those in your support network, like family and friends.
• It may also be worth asking someone who is not emotionally attached, some one who might be able to help make those tough decisions.
• There are also professionals who do this regularly and have the skills, efficiency and care to help you through.
• Donation companies are available to come and collect unneeded items and I personally have used some great foundations where you know the donations are going to a great cause.

And Remember

• Be compassionate to yourself – It will be an emotional time, but that is understandable
• Take a break  – Do it in small chunks
• It’s ok to ask for help
• Best to do it before you move (you may even find that somethings don’t make it out of the box at the other end

If you are looking to downsize your home and would like a free appraisal, please contact the Mi Casa team here.

For further information on decluttering your home, please contact our preferred Professional Organiser Corrie from Organise Me. Simply follow this link.