The down-low on downsizing

If you’re finally making the move to a smaller home, you might be delighted by the nearly maintenance-free lifestyle you’ll soon have. Fewer rooms to take care of … fewer pieces of bric-a-brac to dust. However, in order to enjoy having less stuff, you have to actually get rid of some of it first!

Go pro

With so many memories attached to your things, decluttering can be an emotional experience. Don’t be afraid to call in the pros: those whose job it is to help people pick up and move from one place to another. They won’t assign sentimental value to your things. As such, they can help you be more objective when it comes to determining what to keep and what to get rid of.

Move it out

Move the stuff you’re getting rid of out of the house … before you move out of the house. It may not be enough to shove it in a corner until it can be picked up. Physically moving things where you can no longer see them may reduce the temptation to “reclaim” them.

Reward yourself

Decluttering a lifetime of memories is hard work. Don’t tackle such a huge task all at once, and give yourself little rewards along the way. A chocolate bar here, a night at the movies there … it helps to deliver positive reinforcement to your brain! Of course, this is all before the ultimate reward: moving into your brand-new custom home!