Downsize, Declutter, and Discard – three “D” words that spark overwhelm in most people. Over the years as senior move managers, we’ve compiled a list of common mistakes made before and during the downsizing process of moving or relocating.
Waiting too long to address all your belongings
- Whether downsizing is an emergency or it’s planned, both are stressful. It’s hard and very time consuming to sort through decades of belongings and treasures to curate the very best. Many people get tired, anxious, and worried that they will part with something they will want later. Working with a professional senior move manager will bring the structure needed to facilitate the process, saving you time and energy. The more you have to sort through, the more help you will need.
Thinking all your stuff is valuable
- Many things may be useful but not highly valuable or desirable. Understanding the difference will help segregate the donate/discard from the sell/consign and help clear things out more quickly.
Thinking none of your stuff is valuable
- There is always something worth selling and there are many ways to profitably dispose of unwanted items. Working with a seasoned move manager will help you cherry pick the valuable items even if you think it’s all junk – putting some money back in your pocket.
Saving your stuff for the wrong reasons
- Don’t save something because it was a gift, or belonged to a parent or family member. If you don’t love or use the item it is just taking up valuable real estate in your new smaller home. Feeling guilty about letting go? We’ll work with you to find other ways to re-home the items.
Letting paper build up
- Ah, paper. Sorting paper is one of the most time consuming activities in downsizing. Every piece needs to be quickly reviewed to determine next steps (keep, shred, recycle). Bins and boxes of disorganized papers lead to expensive shredding (to be safe). Make your future self happy by tackling paper early and often. Work to avoid excessive build up by addressing daily paper on a, well, daily basis. Accumulated paper can be handled by an experienced Professional Organizer who knows what to look for and can make the process less painful.
Ignoring storage areas subject to water or rodents
- Water damaged or rodent infested boxes are easy to decide – they generally go directly into the trash – leaving owners wondering what treasures they are letting go. This leads to added stress and, to a degree, grief and loss.
Shopping for food and paper goods as if you aren’t moving
- Fridge, pantry, and Costco closets full of stuff take up space, take time and material to pack/unpack, and make settling into your new, smaller home more challenging. Use up your supply of paper goods and buy small quantities if you need more. Eat through your freezer and pantry to minimize the amount of stuff to be moved.
Renting a storage unit for stuff that won’t fit
- Often the plan is that the owner of the unit will be able to go and continue the sorting and editing process. I’m going to be honest – this never happens. The out of sight, out of mind adage applies here. And, usually, the storage space is not large enough to provide adequate space to comfortably do the work, Storage units should be used for temporary storage only.
- Another common mistake is not keeping track of what is put into storage. A solid inventory with photos and well-labeled boxes will save you time and money in the long run. An experienced senior move manager will know how to do this in an efficient and effective manner.
Trying to do it alone and/or trying to dictate the process
- Senior move managers manage the volume of stuff in your home every day. We have a process and plan for working through it and want nothing more than to make sure it’s done quickly and efficiently, leaving you with the confidence that every item was handled properly. We tailor our process to each individual client and bring years of experience to the table saving you time and money. Let us guide you through the process and transition you smoothly into your new home.
We’ve seen it all and want desperately to help our clients avoid these mistakes. As a Certified Professional Organizer who specializes in Senior Move Management we help you avoid these pitfalls and provide a smoother, dare we say, smarter transition.