DOWNSIZING & DECLUTTERING
When you’re looking at years and sometimes decades of stuff in your home, it can be difficult to know where to start downsizing and decluttering. Add in the emotions involved and the task looms larger. It’s not just stuff. Our belongings can be memories, gifts, family treasures, milestones.
If we make downsizing and decluttering too big, complicated, or painful, we avoid it. So make it easy. Start with a low-emotion space like a kitchen drawer or one shelf in a linen closet. Take everything out of that ONE drawer or off that ONE shelf only.
Make piles:
- keep, trash/recycle, donate.
- Put what’s in the keep pile back in the drawer or back on the shelf. Voila!
- Now reward yourself with a piece of chocolate or something fun.
- Another day pick another kitchen drawer or shelf in that same linen closet.
- Repeat.
- Reward.
- Feel proud and see the progress!
Downsizing one drawer or shelf a few times a week adds up to a massive accomplishment over the span of a year. And making progress in low-emotion spaces builds our tolerance for when we do get to the items heavy with memory or meaning.
Most importantly, be kind and patient with yourself as you downsize and declutter. Start small. Enjoy a reward. Like every process, the end result is accomplished one step at a time.
Denver Downsize & Declutter Can Help!
