Simplify

No matter where you live, it seems you’re always bringing stuff into your home. The upcoming holiday season always seems to bring new things into your house! Books, magazines, clothes, shoes, cleaning supplies, furniture, paper products, serving dishes, decorative items, a table here, a lamp there. The challenge is to continue to live light!

One organizing rule often applied to clothing is “One in, one out!”. Buy something new and let go of something old. As fate would have it, this is also a very good mantra for your house!

Downsizing Diva helps seniors organize, downsize and move. Many of our clients have lived in the same house for 20, 30, 40 or 50+ years and have accumulated a lifetime of treasures. Some people form emotional attachments to their stuff, which makes it that much more difficult to let go.

Time for a reality check! If you are thinking about downsizing, remind yourself …“My family does NOT want my stuff” and you’re half-way there.

Times change and styles change with them. The solid wood furniture that you may have in your home is not likely the furniture that will appeal to a generation of young people, now in the acquiring phase of their lives. Today, it’s all about “mid-century modern” teak and furniture that fits easily into smaller condos and apartments.

BUT, you say…there are some things my family and friends really do want!

That’s great! If you can live without these treasures, share them now and accomplish two things – lighten-up your space AND see someone enjoy items that once gave you so much joy! It’s a win-win!

We’re always asked…when is the best time to downsize? The answer is NOW!

Start small; start today. Remove all the items from a dresser drawer, sort, let go of items you don’t want, use and need and return the rest to the drawer in an orderly fashion. As one of our Divas says…”it’s a thing of beauty!”

Get into the habit of editing as you go and the end result will be a home you love to live in.

How much better does it get?

© Copyright HTMU 2016

Karen Shinn

Karen Shinn

Downsizing Diva Co-Founder. Toronto East & North York

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