Downsizing can be an extremely emotional process. Not only because you’re selling your long-time home, but because you’re also parting with many of the items stored in that home for so many years.
Your new, smaller, more manageable home just doesn’t have the space for all your old books, clothing, holiday decorations, and furniture. And, really, isn’t that the point? You’re downsizing because you want to simplify your lifestyle, and that means letting go of some possessions.
So what makes the cut? What should you keep and what should you let go when downsizing?
What to Keep When Downsizing
If you watched Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up on Netflix, you know that today’s downsizing is all about keeping the things that “spark joy.”
How do you feel when you sit in your favorite chair, wear your favorite jeans, or sip coffee from your favorite mug? Joy, right?! This is a great test for determining what to keep and what to let go when downsizing. If something sparks joy for you, it stays. There’s no reason to part with something that makes you happy. You probably have plenty of non-joy-inducing things you can part with.
And of course some things are just necessary. You may not get joy from your end tables, but you keep them because they’re practical and you use them constantly. Those things you consistently use are also keepers.
That’s really all you need to keep: things that make you happy and things you use all the time. If things don’t fall into one or both of those categories, why would you keep them?
What to Let Go When Downsizing
So if you’re keeping everything that makes you happy, plus some necessities you feel indifferent toward but use regularly, what should you let go when downsizing? Everything else!
I’m guessing there are items in your home you avoid. There’s a serving dish you never use, shirts you never wear, and random things that ended up in storage because they don’t bring you any real joy. Let those things go.
Sentimental items are the most difficult things to let go. You may have no need for an antique bookshelf that also doesn’t bring you any particular joy. But it belonged to your grandmother, so what are you supposed to do with that?
You can’t hold on to these possessions forever; why not let them go now? Here’s what I recommend: if you don’t already have a photo of your sentimental item, snap a photo to preserve the memory. Then find that item a good home. There’s a good chance someone out there will cherish that item. It doesn’t have to be you.
Downsizing your belongings can be difficult, but you’ll feel so much lighter once the burden of these possessions is off your shoulders.
When you’re ready to downsize your Connecticut home, contact me. As the local downsizing specialist, my goal is to sell your current home quickly and for top dollar while simultaneously negotiating the best deal on your new home. Let’s do this together!
In the meantime, please take a look at my free guide to downsizing.
