Downsizing For Retirement

Are you getting ready to downsize your living space, in favor of a cozy apartment in a retirement community, but are having trouble figuring how to start?  De-cluttering your possessions is a big job, but if you are downsizing, you really don’t have much other choice.

Perhaps the biggest barrier many people face when dealing with their old possessions, is the mentality of having to let them go. The best way to go through this process, is to do it systematically. Just start in one corner of an area, and slowly work your way around to the other corners. Try and do this over the course of a few months so you have the time to properly assess what you need, what you want, and what you can actually take. Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by the process, take frequent breaks as just a little bit of work here and there will get you through in the end. Of course as you work away, you will come across many things that will bring fond memories. Embrace and relive them! But don’t forget to be mindful, while a lot of them are too precious to let go of, you need to keep in mind that this may be the last time they have meaning to anyone.

Old photo albums, journals, and letters can be precious reminders of past events or accomplishments that hold great meaning in your life. However, depending on how prolific of recording the world you were, they can start to take up multiple boxes worth of space. Scanning and digitizing them can be a great way to preserve these memories of the past, without all the physical space they take up. They can then be donated to a local repository/archive, where they will preserve the items and allow future generations to garner an understanding of how life was during your days.

Furniture and clothing are typically much easier to deal with, after all you only have so much floor and closet space in your new apartment. See if you can obtain the dimensions and floor plan beforehand so you can strategize how you’re going to layout the room. For the furniture you are not planning on taking, if it is in great condition you can try to sell it. However, have a realistic expectation for what people are willing to pay for second-hand furniture, about 10-25% the original price in many cases can be considered a good sell. You could also skip the hassle of selling off extra furniture, and just donate it to a local thrift store, Salvation Army, or Goodwill.

And if you have tried real hard, time and time again, but still can’t seem to find a way to prioritize items for the move, you may want to hire a professional organizer/Senior Move Manager. A neutral third party can be just the push you need, and provide you with sound advice in this potentially vulnerable time.

Yes, moving into a new environment, especially one where you aren’t necessarily taking all your possessions with you, can be tough, stressful, and even heartbreaking. But think of it as opening a new chapter in your life and looking forward, instead of as throwing away the past.