Organized A to Z Blog

Tips for Rightsizing

April 26, 2010

1. Remember that rightsizing is a process and not an event.  Events can feel overwhelming and make bog us down.  Break the process into smaller pieces, so you can plan and organize.
2. Start now!  You may not be moving for months or years, but start today thinking about a downsized life.  Look at each item in your home and life with a new perspective and decide if you really want it or need it.  Keep the move in mind when getting new – don’t buy large quantities of items that require a lot of space or will cost extra to move (bulk items from super stores).
3. Give things away now.  Don’t try to find the perfect place to donate items.  Sometimes we really do want donate to a specific place but don’t spend more time on giving away donations than the donations are worth.
4. Set deadline for pick-up.  If you have given belongings to family or friends, set a deadline for them to pick the items up.  Then stick to your deadline and donate or sell the item.  Waiting for other people to get things can take a lot of time and energy.
5. Everything you move costs money.  It may not cost money out of your pocket but it will cost your time.  And if you have others pack and move you, it will cost extra to pack things you don’t really want or need.  Plus it will cost money for extra square footage to store things.
6. Think before you put things into storage.  The on-going cost of storage can quickly strip the value of items left in storage for months or years.  If belongings are to be packed away in storage for more than a few months, question whether you really need them.
7. Remember your decision to rightsize.  View your plans through the lens of your decision.  Do I really need extra furniture or bedding or dishes?  Will I continue to entertain the way I did in the past?  Do I need as many dressy clothes for my new lifestyle?
8. Choose furniture that can serve more than one purpose.  If you are moving to a smaller home, repurpose your furniture.  Instead of a table in the front hall, consider using a small chest of drawers that can serve as a foyer table but also has storage space.
9. Organize your move.  Keep a notebook for information about your move.  Have a bag or box to hold things you will need during your move – important papers, medicines, calendar, checkbook, phone book, toiletries, remote controls.  Create an “Open First” box for move day that includes cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, coffee pot, paper plates & cups, and other things you’ll need on your first day in your new home.
10. Get help.  Ask family or friends to help with organizing, packing, move day and unpacking.  Or call on professionals.   There are many good professionals who can make this process much easier.

The most important suggestion is Start Now!  If you start now, you can make the move happen on your timetable and be in control.  The move is going to happen and good planning can make it go more smoothly!

Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Susan Campbell for contributing this article. Susan operates More Than Moving For Seniors, a locally-owned Richmond, Virginia business specializing in helping seniors and their families with the sometimes overwhelming process of downsizing and moving. Their services are available to anyone who needs help with moving, organizing, and de-cluttering, including empty-nesters, people combining households, busy professionals, newlyweds, those with disabilities and families who’ve lost a loved one. The business is a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), and Susan is a past president and currently serves on the board. She is committed to establishing and maintaining standards in the senior move management industry. Visit her Web site at http://morethanmovinginc.com.

Copyright 2010,  Susan Campbell

Filed under: downsizing,moving