Downsize Now Or Regret It Later
Downsize Now Or Regret it Later!
Life is going along just fine. We buy a little here, and we buy a little there. There are websites like WISH and TEMU that offer products so-o- cheaply, that you just can’t resist buying them. After all, it’s only a few dollars!
Then the kids graduate and move out. Or they move away, and you want to be close to them. Or it is time for you to consider moving to a smaller place, or, better yet, retirement. Now you look around and discover that all those little things you have been buying for years, for decades even, have filled every nook and cranny of your home – your big, spacious home – and you need to get rid of most of it.
Like the title of this blog says, downsize now – or regret it later. If it is later, you can still follow the advice below. If you are still in the accumulation phase of your life, maybe you will reconsider buying some of those cheap, irresistible items on the internet.
Downsizing does not need to be a horrible chore. It does take time, planning, and work, but whether you are just trying to de-clutter, or you are moving to your forever home upon retirement, you need to do it. Plan smart, start simply, and execute in small steps. Here’s how.
Planning. A downsizing or decluttering project requires some thought and some planning. You need to decide what you are going to do, where you are going to start, and what you are going to do with all your stuff. You can begin by deciding which rooms you tackle first. Then decide how long each day and how many days during each week, that you will work on the project. And finally, figure out what you are going to do with all that ‘stuff’.
What are you going to give to your children, grandchildren, friends, or neighbors. Nobody wants your ‘junk’, but children and grandchildren may want family heirlooms or sentimental pieces. But don’t be surprised if they don’t want things you prize, like special silver place settings, holiday or special China, furniture, or Grandma’s homemade quilt.
The same goes for neighbors and friends. Just because they admired it in your home doesn’t mean they want it in their home. It doesn’t hurt to ask, but don’t be upset or surprised if they don’t want it.
You can either try to sell your ‘stuff’ on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Etsy, Pinterest, or any number of specialty sites for clothing, tools, musical instruments, shoes, computer equipment, and more. But the harsh reality of it is that you will probably end up donating most of your ‘stuff’.
There are many places that will take you stuff, but don’t be surprised if the donation locations are full. There are many, many people who are downsizing and there are lots and lots of ‘stuff’ being donated. If none of the usual suspects are taking donations, you can try to give clothing, shoes, and blankets to local shelters or even churches. Habitat for Humanities, and other groups who build or provide housing for the less fortunate, may take you furniture, lamps, and appliances.
Okay, now that you have a plan, let’s begin.
Start simply. Any downsizing or decluttering task should begin simply. In your plan you have chosen a room where you will start. Before you walk into the room, decide what and how much you will consider downsizing or decluttering. Let’s take the kitchen, for example.
Most kitchens have electrical appliances on their counters. Can openers, blenders, toasters, toaster ovens, air fryers, coffee makers, and more. Do you plan to continue using all these appliances? Like how often do you use that air fryer, and do you need a toaster and a toaster oven? If not, there is where you start.
And how about the back-ups to these appliances? How many manual can openers, food processors, or coffee bean grinders do you need? Keep what you really, really need, and put the rest in a box to sell or donate.
Next, the cabinets, especially the ones under the counter or the top shelves of the ones over the counter. These are the places that appliances, pots, pans, lids, storage containers, strainers, graders, trivets, holiday dishes, carving sets, and that back-up set of bowls go to die. If you haven’t used them in the last year or two, put them in the box!
Take small steps. Now that you are in the kitchen, you could spend days going through all the cabinets and drawers, making decisions, and arguing about what should stay and what should go. Avoid this dilemma by doing two things.
The first, as we have said above, is to put the item in a box. If there are any questions, put it in the box. No arguing, no debating. This comes later.
Be fair and honest with each other. Agree that you will tackle only as much as one of you can comfortably handle. In your plan you may have decided to, “Clean out the kitchen, top to bottom!” A noble idea. But one of you may grow weary of this task. Or become distracted by other obligations – real or imagined. Over one of you may simply become overwhelmed – by the task or by the idea of getting rid of your ‘stuff’. Stuff you have saved for, bought together, or been gifted by a friend or loved one. Whatever the reason, if one of you does not want to go on, say so, and agree to another time when you will reconvene.
This task is hard enough. It is not worth arguing or getting made with one another of it.
The box. Now you have a boxful of items. One or both of you have decided that these items belong in the box. Now it is time for both of you to agree that each item can go. Take one item at a time. If both agree it can go, leave it in the box. If one of you does not agree, talk it over. If for any reason one of you does NOT want to part with it at this time, take it out of the box and put it in another box.
Once this is done, you have a box of items to give away, sell or donate. Figure out the best plan for each item, then execute your plan. We will talk about selling items later in this blog.
What about the box with things one of us didn’t want to part with? It’s simple. Let it sit in the box for a week or two, and then both of you will see that you can live without it and that box will become your next box to sell, give away, or donate.
Selling your stuff. You can post any of your items on the social media sites we mentioned in the Planning section. But there is so much competition on these sites you need to be selective in your choices on what to sell. If the item is used, tarnished, dented, torn, beat-up, or in any way in less than excellent condition, you should donate it.
If you decide to sell the item you will need several quality pictures of the item from several angles, a quality description with as much detail as you can provide, and a competitive price to ensure interest. (You can go on any search engine and type in the name of your product and see the price range of items like yours.)
You should post your item on several selling sites, but if your items don’t sell within a couple of weeks, take it down and donate it.
Start downsizing and decluttering now. Make it a fun project with a positive outcome, like going out for ice cream afterwards. Also, make it a habit. Do it often and you won’t be faced with awful options like facing a moving deadline or being too old or sick to do even consider decluttering.
Start small. Start simple. Have a plan. Remember, the longest journey begins with the first step.
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Written by Joseph Logsdon
Posted by Diana Fuller
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