Why Am I Having Trouble Starting the Process of Downsizing and Moving?
Kim Forrester
Senior Move Manager
717-552-5686
kim@freshstart-organizing.com
This is a big process, and probably something you have never done before. You may have moved and made some decisions about what to take with you, but likely you have never moved with the amount of downsizing required when you move to a smaller home due to aging. May seniors find that in addition to their belongings, they may have items from a recently deceased mother, father, or other relative. This can be a lot of items to deal with and make decisions about. However, sometimes the hardest part is just getting started. Starting with the three categories below can get you motivated and accustomed to making these types of decisions before you get to the items that may be harder to make decisions about.
Trash is usually a good place to start. Often people will take items to their garage, attic, or basement that are broken, worn out, or old with no value, that they just did not take the time to deal with disposing of. Another area where this happens often is with paper items; such as old receipts, bank statements, magazines, etc. Removing the trash first helps clear space and gives the area a fresh look and feel. It can give you a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to continue the process.
A good category to attempt next is duplicates. Duplicates can many times be items that you have replaced with a better or newer version, but you wanted to keep the older one also because it still worked, so you put it somewhere out of sight. You may have even forgotten you had it until you start to sort through your items to downsize. A good example can be tools and small appliances. Even if you have two similar items you are currently using because they are just a bit different (maybe a large food processor and a small food processor), you will probably just take one with you when you move, so go ahead and decide which one you do not want.
After duplicates, concentrate on items that you simply do not want, do not enjoy, or have not used. These too should be easier to make decisions about. If you have not enjoyed or used them up to this point you probably will not in the future. The exception is that there is a specific reason relevant to the move that may make an item become useful.
Although these are considered the easy categories, you are becoming accustomed to making decisions and are preparing for the harder decisions to come. Reward yourself when you have accomplished these three categories and enjoy the weight lifted from you by finding a starting point and starting through the process.
