1. Start early
The best way to make the downsizing process easier is to start early. This gives you plenty of time to go through all your belongings and decide what should stay and what should go. It’s also a great opportunity to get rid of any items that you don’t need anymore, which will help reduce clutter when you move into your new home.
And while you’re sorting, you may come across fond memories, including photos and special items from your past. Enjoy the journey down memory lane while you downsize.
2. Sort and organize
Once you’ve gone through all your belongings, sort them into categories to keep, donate (or pass down to loved ones), sell, throw away. This will help you create an organized plan for moving all your possessions. You may even want to enlist the help of family members or friends who can offer their opinions on what should stay or go and provide some extra hands during the packing process.
3. Take measurements
Before packing anything, take measurements in your new home and compare them with the size of furniture pieces you plan on bringing with you. This will give you an idea of how much furniture will fit in each room so that when it comes time to move in, everything has its place already planned out ahead of time. This simple step makes moving day a little smoother and less stressful!
4. Use packing materials wisely
When packing up your things for the move, try not to use too many boxes or other packing materials, as they can become expensive quickly! Instead, opt for reusable containers like plastic bins or suitcases which are much more durable and cost-effective in the long run. Plus, these containers are stackable which means they take up less space in storage once everything is moved out!
If you’d like to use cardboard boxes, stop by your local store to see if they’re getting rid of any cardboard boxes. This could save you a few bucks instead of purchasing moving boxes.
5. Take your time
Downsizing doesn’t have to be done overnight – it takes time! Allow yourself plenty of time during each stage so that nothing gets forgotten or lost along the way. Reward yourself after every task accomplished so that there is something fun waiting at the end!
Moving into retirement is one of life’s great joys but it can also come with a lot of anxiety surrounding downsizing from your larger home into a smaller space such as a senior living apartment. However, by following these five tips – starting early, sorting and organizing items, taking measurements in your new home, using packing materials wisely, and taking your time – anyone can make this transition much easier!
At Avamere at Albany we believe that making this transition easier leads to more enjoyable retirements overall – so make sure to follow these tips when downsizing for retirement.