Decluttering becomes a viable option after years of accumulating stuff in your home as you grow older and get new experiences. It is also a way to induce additional zen experiences in your life. Decluttering may also be a way to cope with your financial stress in your present circumstances where downsizing might be the only option.
You must look at the downsizing activity as a regular thing whose outcome will be apparent at first and then become normal as you get used to the idea. Therefore, make gradual and thoughtful decisions while you are in the process of living with fewer things in your house. The following are essential tips that will guide you through the process.
Start with the Big Stuff
The most obvious stuff is the easiest to get rid of because the change is immediate. You can tell how much room you are going to save when you remove a sofa. At the same time, anything else that you are not using that seems large should be a candidate for moving.
Furniture is the first choice, but most homes also have obvious stuff that needs to go including laundry baskets that you are not using. Bedrooms also have a lot of fabric that you may need to remove especially the extras that you got after you changed styles.
Divide Items into Classes
You should have one thing for every function instead of having two or three duplicates. For example, consider having only one sitting space for each person in the home, and anything else is a waste for a downsizer.
You can use a variety of seats because people will be doing different things in the house at the same time. The categories also give you an idea of what to consider selling it in a yard sale and what needs replacement.
Get Storage Rooms
You need to have storage rooms for holding your items temporarily so that you can decide later whether you still want to keep the belongings. Rented storage space is an ideal resource for this need.
Keep your attention on the size of the space and the additional features offered such as the lease period, the climate protection options, the floor type and the security of locks used.
Follow a One Year Rule
You should keep items for a year or less as you contemplate whether they are indispensable. The year-rule is for major items that may be too sentimental to release immediately. You might also not know whether you will need them when the season changes. One year is sufficient to go through all the seasons.
It also gives you an idea of celebrations and other events in your life that may cause you to need the stuff that you wanted to dispose of. The point of using a year is to be realistic so that you only end up with things you use. It also helps you to create enough room for bringing new things into your household.
