| These days people are downsizing their homes for a | | | | on the situation. Alternatively, you can also hire a |
| variety of different reasons. Whatever your reasons | | | | professional organizer to come in and help you clear |
| for moving to a smaller location, you can de-clutter | | | | out the clutter from your life. |
| your stuff and move with less boxes by following | | | | 4. Compare the size of your old rooms to your new |
| these tips. | | | | rooms |
| 1.Decide what you absolutely must have | | | | When it comes to pieces of furniture, you may not |
| Instead of trying to decide what must be tossed | | | | be able to transport everything to your new place. If |
| aside in your move, it might be easier to start with | | | | you have the dimensions for your smaller space, you |
| what you need to keep. For example, heirlooms, your | | | | can use tape on the floor to mark out your new |
| favorite clothes and kitchen items you use every day | | | | floor plan. Arrange your current furniture within this |
| would definitely go on your “keep” list. Only | | | | new boundary and figure out what you’ll be able |
| after you develop your keep list will you be able to | | | | to keep. |
| tell if you need to make some sacrifices for your | | | | 5.Don’t rush the process |
| new, smaller space. | | | | If you think that you need to complete this whole |
| 2.Organize your items into three categories | | | | process in a day or two, think again. You should give |
| After you’ve decided on your small list of must | | | | yourself plenty of time to do an inventory of your |
| haves, you need to sort through the rest of your | | | | things and decide what you must keep and what you |
| things. One of the most tried and true methods of | | | | need to give away. It will take a lot of time to go |
| de-cluttering your home is to create three categories | | | | through all of your possessions, especially if |
| of items – keep, sell and donate. Depending on | | | | you’ve lived in your home for many years. Make |
| the size of your new place, you may be eliminating | | | | it a leisurely process for several weeks or a few |
| up to half of your items. View your things with a | | | | months before your move and you’ll not only |
| critical eye and if you find yourself putting too much | | | | feel more prepared but more relaxed about your |
| into the keep pile, re-evaluate your decisions. | | | | move as well. |
| 3.Get a second opinion | | | | De-cluttering so you can live comfortably in your new |
| Sometimes it may be hard to get rid of things even | | | | space isn’t always easy. However, when you |
| if you know intellectually that you won’t need | | | | take the time to evaluate what you really need, |
| them. If you are finding it difficult to part with your | | | | you’ll thank yourself when you can live in your |
| items, or you are overwhelmed by the whole | | | | new home comfortably. |
| process ask a trusted friend to help you get clarity | | | | |