The word ‘downsizing’ can be as distasteful as swallowing bitter medicine. But medicine results in better health, and once started, life on the other side of the process can be empowering with all kinds of rewards.

And for those of us who have to get rid of the ‘great stuff’ before we can consider a move, the task can be daunting, overwhelming, and downright scary.

I know, because I’ve been through both the physical, as well as the mental and emotional obstacles, trying to get rid of 30 years worth of ‘great stuff’ to move out of a 4-story home and into an apartment. And I’m still at it. I call them Phases. It makes you sound like you know what you’re doing. And lucky for me, I don’t keep count. I think I’m in Phase 4 (??) these days.

Here’re some tips to help get you started in shrinking your home:

1. Go for the low-hanging fruit. That’s code for do the easiest and quickest things first to bring you success. Have you been storing things for your kids? Like yearbooks? Photo albums? Furniture? I know it sounds small, but it’s a place to start that won’t give you anxiety about getting rid of things. Normal and well disciplined parents give their grown kids a drop dead date for removal. Others like me, who just couldn’t, will have to pay a price, and postpone completion. It might be years.
2. Warn family members that you’ll be making a mess to get closer to your goal. And warn yourself too. At different times, you may be stepping over the pile for Goodwill just to find your bed at night. But make sure you get that pile out the next day or weekend. Seeing the floor again is motivation to keep going.
3. Depending on the size of the job, and if you’re talking closets, cabinets, garage, furniture, or all of the above, you will need some sort of plan or process. Don’t skip this step, otherwise you’ll miss out on the shear pleasure of cheering when you’ve completed a step or Phase 2 (grin).
4. Decide if you’ll go closet to closet, room to room, or purge by category (clothes, kitchen, books, home office supplies, etc) I can’t make a recommendation here because every situation is different.
5. In talking about my mission to downsize with others, I used the words, “I want ONE pencil, not 3, not 30, just ONE. When it’s too short to sharpen, I’ll just get another.” I kept this in my mind as I worked, and continue to remind myself as I downsize my apartment (do I really need 3 sets of bed sheets??).

Lastly, be brave and tough on yourself, but be realistic. You CAN DO what you never thought you could.

Rome wasn’t built in a day (another one of my favorite sayings I’ve dragged through life), so don’t set grandiose expectations. I had no idea what I was in for, and after a year, am still working on downsizing. Each of us deals with sentimentality, excuses, emotions, and uncommon sense.

This will most likely put you in your UNcomfort zone. And you may wonder why you’re intentionally subjecting yourself to turning your house upside down and getting rid of the ‘great stuff’ you’ve always (thought you) loved or needed.

Don’t look back. Trust yourself that you can do this, and take the first step. You’ll be amazed at the empowerment and freedom you feel when it’s easier to pull up the anchor and write the next chapter.

So where are you going to start? ~ Carol ♥