Guide to downsizing before a big move

Downsizing before a move can be both liberating and daunting. It’s an opportunity to declutter your life and make your next home more manageable and welcoming. Here’s a guide to help you efficiently downsize before your big move, ensuring you only take what you truly need.

1. Start Early

Begin the process several weeks or even months in advance. Downsizing is not something to be rushed. Starting early allows you to carefully assess what items truly add value to your life and which ones are simply taking up space.

2. Create a Plan

Make a plan of your new space to help determine what will fit and what won’t. Measure large pieces of furniture and think strategically about how much room you’ll have. This plan will guide you on what to keep and what to let go of.

3. Use the One-Year Rule

If you haven’t used an item in the last year, it’s a strong candidate for removal. Apply this rule to clothes, kitchen gadgets, and other household items. The one-year rule helps keep only the most useful and cherished items.

4. Sort Items into Categories

Organise your belongings into categories such as keep, sell, donate, and discard. Be decisive and stick to your initial instincts. Often, our first choice is the right choice when deciding whether to keep or get rid of something.

5. Gift Items to Friends and Family

Before selling or donating, offer items of sentimental or practical value to friends and family. This can be a wonderful way to keep cherished items within your circle, knowing they’re being put to good use.

6. Digitalise What You Can

In our digital age, there’s no need to keep stacks of documents, CDs, or DVDs. Digitalise what you can and store it online or on hard drives, freeing up physical space and making your move lighter.

7. Sell or Donate

Sell items that are valuable but no longer needed through online marketplaces or garage sales. What doesn’t sell can be donated to charity shops or given to community projects, which can also provide tax deductions.

8. Be Mindful of the Environment

When discarding items, do so responsibly. Recycle what you can and dispose of items in accordance with local regulations, especially for electronics and hazardous materials.

9. Pack a Memory Box

For those items that are too hard to part with but not necessary to take to your new home, pack a memory box. Store it in a family member’s attic or in a storage unit where you can access it if you decide you want those items later.

10. Re-evaluate Your Lifestyle

Moving is a chance to reassess your lifestyle choices. Downsizing offers a perfect opportunity to live a simpler, less cluttered life. Consider this when deciding what makes the cut for your new home.

By following these steps, you’ll make the process of downsizing less overwhelming and more productive. You’ll be able to move into your new home feeling lighter and more organised, ready to start a new chapter with only the things that truly enhance your life.