You’ve decided to launch your new lifestyle in an independent living community that can make all of it possible. After the research, visits and considering the available floorplans, you’ve chosen your new home.
But if you’re like most residents, before you move in, you’ll need to downsize.
The benefits of downsizing
Many people will tell you there are several advantages to downsizing and they often wish they had decluttered sooner. Here are a few benefits to consider:
- No more unused rooms to maintain
- Opportunity to move from an inaccessible space to an age-friendly home
- Eliminates clutter, creating a less stressful environment
- Helps you become more organized
- Chance to rediscover memories and meaningful keepsakes
- Frees up more time not spent on maintaining a larger home
- Saves energy when living in a smaller space
Best tips for downsizing
If you’ve made the decision to downsize, you’ll first want to get organized. Purchase a notebook and dedicate it to your downsizing project. Keep your to-do lists, notes to self and phone numbers for movers here. It’s likely to get a little hectic when you move and it can be a huge stress relief when everything you need is in one place.
Here are 10 other ideas and tips for downsizing you might want to consider to make the process go smoother:
1. Give yourself enough time
Plan on this project taking longer than you think but you’ll also want to give yourself a deadline. Otherwise, it’s hard to get started and keep yourself on track. Work backward from your move-in date and adjust for how much stuff you have and the number of people who can help.
2. What rooms will you have in your new home?
It’s often easiest to first eliminate the rooms you won’t have in your new home. If you only need to furnish one bedroom or you won’t have both a formal dining room and eating area, you can immediately start planning what to do with this extra furniture.
3. Select a room to be the home base for this project
Choose an unused room for organizing. Section off into categories what you’ll take, pass down, sell and donate. Try not to have a “maybe” pile as it becomes too easy for everything to land there. It’s better to make a decision as you come across an item and move on to the next.
4. Invite the kids home for a weekend
Your home may still be full of your children’s mementos, ranging from trophies, ribbons, stuffed animals and school yearbooks. Call everyone home for a few days and have them decide the fate of their belongings. This is also the perfect time if you’re going to be parting with items you’d like to keep in the family.
5. Begin with the non-sentimental items
Once you’re ready to start sorting, it’s easier to begin with the non-sentimental items. You can build momentum from there as this will usually go quickly. It’s much easier to decide what to do with a third set of holiday dishes than to go through your grandmother’s jewelry.
6. Eliminate any duplicates
One great rule to remember when downsizing is that everything will need to fit in its place. You’ll have less space so forego doubling up on items such as dishes, sets of pots and pans, linens and towels. Remind yourself to take only what you will actually need and use.
7. Remember – the memory is not in the object
If you struggle to let go of a family treasure but have no room to take it and no willing child to do so either, take a picture of the object and then let it go. We’re often afraid that we’ll forget the person associated with the object or that we’re being disloyal to their memory. But you keep the memory and the picture is also a nice reminder.
8. Go digital with your photos
If you have albums or boxes full of old photographs, you’ll need to decide what to do. Consider choosing a few that you would like to frame and see every day. For the rest, go through the collection and then make arrangements to store them digitally.
9. Expect to get emotional
If you can, allow a few extra days to journey down memory lane and shed a few tears. It’s better to be prepared than to let this catch you off guard. Going through the contents of a lifetime is going to be emotional. Allow yourself to enjoy the memories. But then nudge yourself to get back to the plan.
10. Look forward to the future
Especially on the days that you feel tired and a little overwhelmed by all the accumulations, remind yourself that it all represents a great life lived – and one that isn’t near being finished. Looking ahead to all the adventures that are waiting at the end of this road can re-energize you.
Ingleside at King Farm Independent Living
At Ingleside at King Farm Independent Living we designed our community to provide you with everything you need. Many of our residents downsized their homes and survived. We know you will too.
Once you’re here, we believe you’ll love your new lifestyle. You’ll find your private home offers open and inviting spaces, walk-in closets and well-equipped kitchens. You’ll have the choice of the floorplan that works best for you. You’re also encouraged to personalize your home so it will be a unique expression of your own style.
Here are a few of the other benefits you’ll discover in our well-planned community, which has been designed with your lifestyle in mind:
- Maintenance-free living
- Staffed fitness center
- Indoor heated pool and spa
- Cultural Arts Center
- New library
- Art studio
- Game room
- Classes, clubs and programs
- Meditation space and Yoga studio
- Spa/salon with massage room
- Spiritual, musical and theatrical programs
Along with scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping, concerts and other events, you’ll have easy access to Ingleside at King Farm’s shuttle system that loops to the Metro, as well as walking paths that lead to The King Farm Village Center, just a few blocks away.
Please visit our website or call (240) 414-8557 if you have any questions or would like to schedule a personalized tour today.