Ready to downsize? Follow these 6 simple steps!
Ready to downsize the family home? Is your home filled to the brim with belongings and memories? Leaving you feeling overwhelmed about where to even begin? You're not alone. Over the years many of us have collected a multitude of possessions. Often much of it is packed away in cupboards, spare rooms, and garages.
In fact, in a study of Australian residents nearly half of the respondents described their homes as reasonably cluttered. This surplus of belongings translates to approximately 6 cubic metres per household. To put it into perspective, if we were to box up this clutter and line it along the coastline of Australia, it would stretch for a staggering 6 laps around the country, covering a distance of 210,112 kilometres!
When it comes time to downsize your home, your stuff can no longer be
ignored.
It is time to deal
with this clutter!
Now, it is crucial that you tackle your belongings and declutter before embarking on a move. Here's why:
Staging your house for sale becomes significantly easier when it's decluttered. A tidy, uncluttered home not only appeals to potential buyers but may also lead to a higher asking price.
With a decluttered space, you'll be ready for last-minute viewings arranged by your agent.
Packing up becomes a breeze when you have fewer possessions. Moving into your new home with only your most cherished items will make the effort worthwhile.
Paying removalists to transport unnecessary clutter is a waste of money.
Opting for storage for items that won't fit in your new home adds an unnecessary expense.
Feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to begin with decluttering? That's why I recommend embracing the KonMari Method, developed by the renowned Japanese tidying expert, Marie Kondo. The KonMari Method® isn't just about deciding what to discard; it's about cherishing the items that bring you joy and align with your envisioned lifestyle. By sorting through your possessions and keeping only those that spark joy or serve a purpose, the moving process—both packing and unpacking—becomes much more manageable.
To follow theKonMari Method® to declutter your home, follow these 6 simple steps.
Step 1 – Visualise your new home and lifestyle
Before jumping into decluttering, take a moment to envision your new space and the lifestyle you aspire to have within it. Picture how the space will look, imagine yourself engaging in activities within it, and consider how you'll feel in this transformed environment. This clear vision will guide your decluttering journey, helping you make decisions about which possessions align with your new lifestyle. It also serves as a motivational anchor throughout the process.
Step 2 - Commit time to declutter before moving
Decluttering requires both time and emotional investment. I recommend starting the process at least 3 months before listing your home on the market. It's crucial to schedule your decluttering sessions and commit to them on your calendar. Without dedicated tidying time on your schedule, the task is likely to be overlooked. Setting a completion date and blocking out time for decluttering ensures that it's prioritised and accomplished.
Step 3 – Downsize by category, not location and follow the correct category order
Instead of decluttering room by room, tackle one category at a time. The KonMari Method recommends organising items into five main categories: clothing, books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items like laundry, makeup, kitchenware, etc.), and sentimental items. Sorting by category allows you to gather items dispersed throughout your home or tucked away in cupboards. Bringing everything from a category together enables you to assess the true volume of your possessions, identify duplicates, and recognise excess. This approach empowers you to make informed decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
The categories are arranged in a way that begins with the easiest (Clothing) and progresses to the most challenging (Sentimental). As you go through each category, you'll develop your decision-making skills. Make sure you follow the correct order!
You can DOWNLOAD my Complete KonMari Checklist to guide you through the categories.
Step 4 - Ask yourself if an item sparks joy
Check EACH item in your home and onsider if it evokes joy or serves a purpose. If the answer is no, let it go with thanks and gratitude. It is time for that item to bring joy to someone else. Remember, you are letting go of things, not your memories. If you get stuck on items, go back to your vision – does this item fit into your new lifestyle in your new home?
Step 5 – Consider whether you're holding onto items as a legacy for your children.
If you find you are keeping items as a legacy for your children, then it is important to check with your children as to whether they actually want the items. In my experience, many children aren't interested in inheriting their parents' possessions. Take the time to check now, and if the items don't spark joy for your children, it's best to let them go. Holding onto these items could become a burden for your children in the future.
Step 6 – Request family members to retrieve their belongings stored at your home
It's quite common for the family residence to turn into a storage locker for everyone. Maybe the kids left home and left some of their belongings behind, or perhaps during times of moving or travelling, they temporarily stored their stuff at the family home due to lack of space. It's now time to inform the family about your downsizing plans and the closure of this storage arrangement. Kindly ask them to collect all of their possessions. Be firm about this request, as it's not your responsibility to deal with items they no longer want.
Good luck with your decluttering and downsizing. The time and effort spent will be well worth it. I’d love to hear how you go, so remember to tag Live Life Organised in your posts.
If this process sounds overwhelming to you, you are not alone. I would love the opportunity to help make downsizing happen, ensuring you keep what is important to you. I can support you hands on in-home or check out my 12-week online coaching program, designed to empower you to take action, declutter, and organize your home, freeing up space, time, and energy to fully enjoy life. Click this link to schedule a call with me and see if this program is the right fit for you: https://melinda-ferrier.mykajabi.com/Book-a-call.
Happy downsizing!
Mel x