This month I was faced with the largest and most emotional downsizing project I have been involved in to date. The downsizing of our family home of 33 years.
As we worked through our parents belongings with them I made a few realisations I thought I would share.
Firstly, it was a blessing to be sorting and downsizing alongside my parents and siblings not alone and not after their passing.
We had the ability to hear the stories behind their belongings and then keep those that meant the most to us.
We laughed and really enjoyed the process. It wasn’t done in a rush whilst we were emotionally bankrupt and bereaved.
We could ask our parents questions about specific items, hear the stories behind them so the story could be passed on.
We alleviated the guilt of holding onto items we didn’t want but felt our parents would have expected us to keep.
My top tips are:
- Start today! Regardless of when you will be downsizing or moving house. If you have time on your side you are in control of the process.
- Have the right tools to save time. Have a skip, rolls of bubble wrap, garbage bags, sticky tape etc. This insures efficiency.
- Look into Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, EBay and other selling apps and make some money on the side. Ensure you take great photos and be realistic with price.
- Be realistic what will fit into your new home. It’s okay to let things go if they have served their purpose and aren’t of use to you anymore.
- Have a great team. Leave old arguments and resentments at the door and embrace the process.
And if it’s all too much call in an expert. Super Organised can support, guide and assist you through this process with minimum stress.