“We should have started this sooner.” I hear this often when clients begin to downsize their C.R.A.P. (Clutter that Robs Anyone of Pleasure). It can be emotional and difficult, so the sooner you start, the better. If you begin in your 60s, you’ll have more energy and more choices on where your unneeded items find a home. Let’s break it down:
- Even if you plan on “aging in place,” downsizing is still necessary to reduce the clutter, clear walkways, and lessen the burden on your family.
- Discuss your downsizing plans with family members and friends and offer unneeded items to them. Don’t assume they want something just because you saved it for them.
- To let go of a large quantity of items at once, call an auctioneer to see how much your items are worth. Search sold items on eBay to see if the items you think are worth something really are!
Possible C.R.A.P. (a.k.a. Clutter):
- Hasn’t been used for 2 years
- Items you don’t like, need, or that have unpleasant memories
- Items/projects that are unfinished, incomplete, or broken for at least 2 years
- Supplies/books from projects that no longer interest you
- Memorabilia that has no meaning to your future
- Clothing that is no longer your current size
- Collections not displayed or packed away
Unclutter One Room at a Time:
The Big Sort
- Focus on one area at a time and sort first; don’t struggle or read everything.
- Sort into categories: Keep, Sell, Family, Donate, Recycle, Trash
- If you’re not sure, put it in the ‘keep’ pile and move on quickly.
Purge the “Keep” Pile
- What is your goal: to simplify, to make a first pass, downsize to move?
- Go through items one by one; some will be harder to let go of than others.
- If the item isn’t part of your future, let it go; be stingy and selective on what you keep.
- Invite an objective ‘body double’ -- someone to help but not judge.
Deliver donations, recycle as much as you can, and only trash what is really trash.
Finally, designate one location for important documents and tell your family:
- Current Will (a copy should be with the executor)
- DNR (do not resuscitate) orders and other end-of-life directives
- Organ donor directives
- Military discharge papers
- Insurance policies, bank accounts, and key to safe deposit box
- Location of money/valuables
Get organized to lessen the burden on your loved ones. They will thank you for it!
Vali G. Heist, M.Ed. is a Certified Professional Organizer® and Owner of The Clutter Crew. She is the author of Organize This! Practical Tips, Green Ideas, and Ruminations about your CRAP.
