7 Easy Steps to Downsize This Month

Sometimes you know you're moving to a smaller space in several months, or even next year, and you can plan for that date and take more time on each of these steps.

But life isn't always ideal, and we don't always have a choice.  So if you've only got a few weeks to decide what you want and need so you can move on (or even if you simply want a fresh start in your current home), here's your cheat sheet.

The 7 steps

1.  Assess.

Professional organizer Katherine Lawrence suggests you begin this process by analyzing your space and gathering your resources.  After a complete walk-through, including basements, attics, sheds, and the garage, ask yourself the following questions:

• Are there large collections or antiques that need special handling?
• Are there cabinets, drawers, or boxes filled with papers and photos that will be tedious to sort?
• What are the categories (such as kitchen items, linens, and clothing) that will be easy to donate?

You will need trash bags, moving boxes, packing paper, packing tape, permanent markers, and bags for donations and recycling (paper grocery bags and clear lawn and leaf bags* are my favorites).

You might also need to enlist the help of appraisers, auctioneers, charity shops, consignment stores, movers, cleaning services, and all the free labor you can get!

* This blog is powered by reader support.  If you buy through my links, I may earn a small commission.

2.  Shop your home.

Instead of thinking about everything you need to get rid of, start by identifying the things you love and need and want to take with you.  Some have called this "reverse decluttering," since you're choosing what to keep.

Pretend like you have to buy everything new and that your home is the store.  Use low-adhesive painter's tape or simply snap a photo of your favorite furniture, décor, and kitchen items – things you would buy again if you were starting over.  Only pick your favorite, most-used items, things you would pay full retail price for again, not just the things you've accumulated haphazardly over the years.  This makes downsizing a positive experience, and lets you think about the special things you own that will be functional and beautiful in your new space.

If you are moving to a smaller space, keep a floor plan handy and take measurements so you're sure that what you choose will fit.

3.  Declutter by category.

Working with one category at a time lets you be more efficient.  It's much easier to make decisions when you have all of your options in front of you!  It's easier to pick your favorite pairs of jeans when you have them all together, and it's easier to see how many duplicates you have as well.  You'll be able to remove all the extra flashlights, screwdrivers, and salad tongs when you've collected them from the drawers, cabinets, and closets where they live.

You can approach this in any order, but consider your wardrobe, kitchen items, books, games/DVDs/CDs/other entertainment options, tools, linens, holiday décor, etc.

4.  Live in the present.

Consider your current and future lifestyle and be really honest about what you will continue to use.  Perhaps you once quilted and played tennis, but now you would rather paint watercolors.  Maybe you have a shed full of gardening or woodworking tools, but you see yourself traveling or reading more.  Make a truthful list of the two or three hobbies that will fit into your future lifestyle, and plan to sell or give away all the parts and pieces of what you did in the past.

Related article:  52 Minimalist Hobbies to Benefit and Enrich Your Life

5.  Digitize.

Bill Gates once said, "The great thing about a computer is that no matter how much you stuff into it, it doesn't get bigger or heavier."  Digitizing papers, letters, photos, recipes, and articles lets you keep thousands of documents in the palm of your hand.

Even though it makes it possible to keep and organize a lot of paper and sentimental clutter, scanning is time-consuming.  You still want to be selective about what you keep.  But if you must have it, digitizing lets you save it without taking up physical space.

Now's the time to gather the papers you really should keep physical copies of, such as birth and marriage certificates, mortgage documents, ownership deeds, etc.  (Find a more complete list here.)  Store them together in a fireproof organizer.  You can keep thumb drives with your scanned information, or you can use online tools like Dropbox or Google Docs.

Another way digital works for you is that by taking photos, you can keep the memory of everything you've collected over a lifetime, even if you won't have room for it in your new home.  If you use a service like Evernote, you can keep notes about the object along with the photo in a digital notebook.

Consider world-famous decluttering expert Peter Walsh's dining room table test.  All the mementos you're keeping should fit on top of your dining room table.  This way they'll be easy to transport and will have no trouble fitting into the smaller space of your new home.

If your time is very short, you may want to put your photos and papers into photo boxes and banker's boxes and save the tedious sorting and scanning for later.  Try my two-step process to reduce your piles.

6.  Share stories and your things.

One way to make downsizing more fun and meaningful is to connect with family and friends by passing along treasured items and sharing the stories associated with them.  Many items in your home have a story.  One reason downsizing can be so emotional is because you revisit those memories when you sort through sentimental belongings.

So invite guests and let them know you're downsizing.  You don't want to push things on people and create a burden, but you can have a conversation about their hobbies and interests, and then find things to pass along.

7.  Adopt a charity.

It's very easy to buy something, but much harder to find someone else who wants it when you no longer do.  You might want to take time and effort to sell only those items that are most valuable, and donate everything else.  You'll need to get familiar with local charity thrift shops, shelters, daycare centers, and other non-profit organizations.  Find out what they need, their drop-off hours, and pick-up options.  Be prepared to use a hauling service if necessary.  Keep moving those boxes and bags of donations out of your home!

Pack it up.

If you're actually moving, now's the time to pack up.  If you want it, go ahead and box it, seal it, label it, and stack it up.  Only pack things you'll love and use in your new location.  You don't want clutter and overwhelm to follow you to your new home.

If this downsizing project has been in aid of creating more space, peace, and enjoyment in your current home, keep moving those discards to the trash, recycle bin, or donation destination until you only have what you need and truly desire.  You've made all the decisions, and now you get to enjoy the fresh results!

Related article: The Lightbulb Moment

Decluttering is a form of self-care.  When our homes are cluttered, we feel stressed and guilty about all the chores that demand our attention.  We feel irritated when we're unable to find what we need amid the chaos.  It's hard to focus or relax when we have piles of things with nowhere to belong.

We want something different and better for ourselves, and that's where decluttering comes in.

Decluttering doesn't require stripping down to a bleak existence.  It's about finding that just-right mix of ease, comfort, and beauty.  What remains will reflect the best parts of you.  

I know that my newest book, Goodbye Clutter, will inspire you and give you the practical advice you need to find room for your life – your activities, your family, your friends, and your comfortable place to rest and recharge.  Look for it on Amazon in e-book, paperback, and hardcover editions.