Moving into an assisted living home can be both exciting and stressful as you begin downsizing your possessions. Paring down a lifetime of items can seem like a daunting task.
The good news? Downsizing can be easier than it seems. With the right approach and some expert tips, you can start trimming things down and make the move stress-free.
How to Downsize for Assisted Living: Tips for a Blissful Move
Make a Plan
Before you start downsizing, take a few moments to write down your plan. Start by creating a detailed timeline – when do you need to move out of your home? What tasks do you want to finish before you leave?
If you want to involve loved ones in the process, reach out to them to determine when (and how often) they’re available to help. Their support and input can be invaluable during this transition.
And while you’re planning, you should grab your calendar and schedule productive days you can dedicate entirely to decluttering and organizing, and make sure your loved ones are available those days if they’ll be helping you.
To ensure a smooth transition, gather measurements of your new space and compare them with your current belongings. Knowing your new home’s size will help you determine what will fit and what might need to be sold or donated.
Start Early
Don’t wait until the last minute to start downsizing. If you give yourself enough time, it will be easier to sort through items without feeling too overwhelmed or stressed.
Enlist Help From Loved Ones
Many people underestimate the emotional toll that downsizing can take. Having a helping hand from a trusted friend or family member is essential during this process. Not only will they help you stay focused and get through each room quicker, but their moral support can be invaluable when tackling items with emotional attachments.
Focus on Things You Want to Keep
Instead of looking at a pile and choosing the items you want to get rid of, work backward and focus only on the things you want to keep. Those processes may sound similar, but doing it like this will help you reduce the number of decisions you need to make and make it easier to let go of the things that don’t fit into your new space.
Start with the Easy Stuff
You shouldn’t start this process by opening a box of photographs or other sentimental items. Instead, begin with easier stuff – like clothes, books, and kitchen items you no longer use. You’ll give yourself time to get used to letting things go, and you’ll feel productive before tackling things that will pose a more significant challenge.
Sort One Room at a Time
Don’t look at the entire house as a single task. Break it down. Start by sorting through each room individually. You may want to start things off by downsizing a room your new space doesn’t have, like a guest room or a dining room. If you don’t have a place to put something, you’ll find it easier to let it go, and once you finish the room, you’ll stay motivated to move forward.
Touch Each Item Once (and only once)
When you first pick up an item, take the time to think about it. Ask yourself some of Marie Kondo’s favorite questions: “Do I need this? Do I use it? Does it spark joy?” and decide immediately on what should happen with it – keep, donate, sell, or trash. Making quick decisions will help you stay focused and get through your home quickly.
Take Photos
You don’t have to get rid of everything, even if you don’t have room in your new home. Take photos of some items and keepsakes that mean the most to you and store them either digitally or in an album. That way, you’ll still be able to reflect on these memories without having physical copies.
Lighthouse Senior Living will Help You Feel Right at Home
When it’s time to move into assisted living, downsizing can be intimidating. But with the right plan, support from loved ones, and some helpful tips from experts, you can make your move to assisted living smooth and stress-free.
If you’re looking for a comfortable and inviting assisted living for yourself or a loved one, Lighthouse will be the perfect fit. Contact us today to learn more about our vibrant community.