Easy Ways to Downsize and Declutter
Have you ever looked around and asked yourself, “Where did I get all this stuff?” Most of us have felt this way at some point, overwhelmed by creeping clutter. Fear not. This list of handy downsizing tips will help free up your space without tossing the items that mean the most to you.
Why Downsize?
You might downsize for a wide variety of reasons. Perhaps you’re moving to a new home, preparing to RV full-time, or need more space in your current home. Maybe you just want to simplify your life.
If you’re moving, you may find your new space can’t fit all the stuff hanging around your old space. Those switching to full-time RVing often encounter this issue.
You may also be looking to change or improve your current place. Or maybe you feel that your stuff is weighing you down and adding stress to your life.
No matter why you’re looking to downsize, we’ve got you covered with these five simple, yet effective downsizing tips.
Digitize Everything You Can
You likely own plenty of physical objects that can go digital instead. Family photos and home movies take up far less space digitally rather than sitting in boxes. Plus, you’ll have easier access to them in digital form.
You can also scan important documents to get them out of bulky filing cabinets and drawers. Just make sure you won’t need the originals before you shred anything!
Finally, the technologically savvy can even digitize old VHS tapes, DVDs, vinyl records, cassette tapes, or CDs. You’ll have access to your entire collection of media wherever you go. When it comes to downsizing tips, this is the one that will get you the most bang for your buck!
Focus on One Room at a Time
Starting the downsizing process can be daunting. Try to focus on one room or small area at a time. That way, you can see your progress and take things in manageable bites.
When you’ve got your first room completed, seeing all that extra space could motivate you to continue. Before you know it, you’ll finish your whole home.
Start Downsizing Early
If you have a firm date in mind for a life change like a move, start downsizing early. Even if your transition is a year or more away, you can still make incremental progress now. By starting early, you can spend more time on the other logistics of your life change. If you’re going to only take one of our downsizing tips, this is the one to go with.
Be Selectively Sentimental
We’ve all got items that might not be very valuable or useful but mean a lot to us. Our downsizing tips don’t mean throwing them all out and keeping only practical things. Still, you may have to part with some sentimental items.
While it can be painful, consider which things you’d like to keep the most. For the rest, prepare to part with them. It may not be quite the same, but you can always take pictures to preserve the memories.
Let Your Friends Shop Your Home
Many of us want a good home for the sentimental items we can’t keep. One of our favorite downsizing tips is to let your friends and extended family shop your home and buy or take things they like. You’ll get rid of your stuff and ensure it ends up in safe hands. As a bonus, you’ll prevent more items from ending up in a landfill.
Should You Get a Storage Unit?
Don’t spare yourself from hard decisions by relying on a storage unit. For one, you’ll have to deal with the ongoing monthly expense. This can be a significant cost, especially if you have larger items like furniture.
Plus, your storage unit may end up far away, meaning you’ll use your items infrequently or not at all. A storage unit doesn’t solve the problem of clutter – it just defers it to later.
However, a storage unit may make sense in some cases, such as a temporary move. Consider the overall cost of maintaining your unit and try to store as little as possible by downsizing.
Is Downsizing Worth It?
Downsizing can be difficult, but it’s usually worth it in the end. You can live more freely, with less stuff to weigh you down. Even if you’re downsizing and staying where you are, you’ll be amazed at the extra space you free up. You’ll rarely regret it, especially if you follow our downsizing tips.
Overcoming Downsizing Challenges
If you’re struggling to downsize for the RV lifestyle, don’t worry. Many people do! You’ve spent years collecting all this stuff, and it won’t just disappear overnight.
The Declutter and Downsize Course will help you in two major ways. One, if you’re the sentimental type this course will help you work up gradually to dealing with more difficult items after you first gain some momentum and taste the freedom that letting go can bring.
On the other hand, maybe you are eager to be rid of your excess clutter but just don’t know where to begin with the task. This course will give you practical, actionable steps to help you get the ball rolling.
The course also includes:
- Printable Workbook: to help guide you through the process
- Printable Calendar: for planning your downsizing journey
- Donation & Recycling Resources: A list with links to over a hundred organizations for donating and recycling specific items
The Declutter and Downsize Course is sure to help you along your journey and leave you feeling accomplished and ready for the next chapter of your life. To learn more, read about the full course here.
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