5 Tips For Senior Downsizing and Spring Cleaning

Spring is a time to renew and refresh. Traditions like Persian new year and Passover have involved thorough housekeeping during the equinox for centuries. The modern version of spring-cleaning stems from an era before vacuum cleaners. It’s the best time to open all the windows and dedust the house before it becomes warm enough for bugs to come inside.

Downsizing and tidying up can be a therapeutic process of satisfaction through recalling the past and looking forward to the future. An article appearing in Psychology Today emphasizes, “decluttering my stuff seems to be decluttering my mind.”

Seniors who’ve spent decades living in the same house can feel overwhelmed or unsure of where to start their decluttering projects. Here are five tips to make senior downsizing less daunting.

1. Start Small

Ease your way into the process somewhere small, like a bathroom closet or that pesky junk drawer in the kitchen. Just like starting a new exercise routine, don’t try to lift the heaviest dumbbells on the first day. Inch into decluttering with 15-minute bursts and work your way up.

2. Give Away Heirlooms

Many people wait until it’s too late to see their loved ones receive heirloom items. In addition to witnessing family members enjoy cherished valuables, it’s out of the house and out of your mind.

3. The Three Pile Rule

• Keep
• Donate/Sell
• Trash

Be stern in the three-pile system. A “maybe” pile will slow down the process.

When downsizing, consider your goals. If it’s to move to a smaller place, think about how you can recreate what you want from that room, but only in one box. The keep box should include items that make you feel most at home.

4. Take Time to Appreciate

Setting time limits is a great way to stay on schedule, but downsizing can be an emotional process. Take moments to reflect on the joys certain items brought you.

If you’re downsizing an area devoted to your hobbies, like painting, embrace the memories you’ve made and take pride in passing that hobby to someone else. Think of the endless amounts of paint and brushes you can donate to an art non-profit that will inspire future generations.

5. Let Somebody Else Do It

Spring cleaning and moving process can be much more manageable when you have a reliable team of contractors and helpful resources to support you. With the guidance and support of Betty and her team at HomeSmart Realty, you can move into the next phase of your life with confidence and ease. We have a wealth of downsizing, decluttering, estate planning, and moving professionals that we’re happy to recommend.  We can help you step by step to get your home cleaned out and/or moved seamlessly.

Whether you're looking to downsize, explore new areas, or simply start fresh, there's no reason to go it alone. It's never too late to make your dreams a reality.