Downsizing — or as we like to say, rightsizing — can be a very difficult process full of emotions, tough decisions and unknowns. We recently talked with Kristen Awe, the owner of Rightsize Moving Solutions, to discuss efficient ways to organize and rightsize a home.
What are some unexpected issues that seniors who are downsizing face?
“Unfortunately, many people wait until they are forced to downsize instead of being proactive,” she said. “This can be due to declining health, the death of a spouse, or not being able to maintain and take care of their home anymore.”
Another issue a lot of seniors experience is not having the physical stamina that they once had. Downsizing and moving in Wichita is not only mentally straining but also physically exhausting, Kristen said.
What’s the best way to decide what to keep and what to toss or give away? Is there a process to make it easier?
“Once our clients know where they are moving to and have a floor plan, picking out the large pieces of furniture is the next step,” she said. “Once it’s decided what furniture can be taken to their new home and they know where it’s going to be placed, then the sorting process can begin.”
First, take a calendar and schedule uninterrupted time to go through your items. Then, gather supplies you may need, such as boxes and bags to sort items into. Some categories could be:
- Donate;
- Friends & family;
- Trash; and
- Other room.
Declutter one room at a time, resisting the temptation of transferring items to another room. Instead of freeing up space, this just moves the cutter to a different area of the house. “I recommend people go through the furniture they are going to take with them first and make sure what is in/on the furniture are actually pieces they want to keep,” she suggests.
Some questions they should ask themselves when going through items are:
- Do I really use this?
- Is it something I love?
- Is it easily replaced if I don’t take it and need it later?
- Is it worth the cost to pack, move and unpack it?
Next, start staging the furniture with the things you want to keep. This method will show you whether there is enough space for the items in the new home.
What’s the No. 1 worry of people who are getting ready to downsize?
Many times, the No. 1 worry people have about downsizing is getting rid of something they may end up needing, Kristen said. However, in most cases those things can be easily replaced or are no longer necessary.
“I feel another roadblock for people downsizing is worrying about what will happen to all the items they are not taking with them — the items they have collected all their adult lives and spent sometimes thousands and thousands of dollars on,” she said.
Decluttering can be an emotional and even painful process. What makes it worth the trouble, and how do people feel once they’ve succeeded?
Decluttering can actually help reduce stress and anxiety about moving in some people, especially if they finish the task before calling moving companies in Wichita, KS, for help with packing and transportation.
“It can be a very empowering event, and the benefits are unlimited,” Kristen said. “Being organized can help save money, save time, clear the mental clutter you might not even know is there and make you feel better!”
Are organizing & downsizing (or rightsizing) two different things?
According to Kristen, you always need to rightsize before you organize. Rightsizing is permanent. It’s the process of making a decision to either keep or get rid of an item. After you have only the items you want to keep, you need to organize them. This means finding a place to store or display them at home.
How is an expert organizer different from having a family member help a senior downsize?
A professional organizer is like a trainer, a plumber, or any other specialist. Organizers know which questions to ask, how to help their clients be efficient, and many ways to customize services to organizing services to each individual. At Rightsize Moving Solutions, we handle senior relocations with due sensibility.
“Everyone thinks and processes things differently. That’s why it’s so important to get the correct systems set up. What might be good for one person might not be good for another,” she said. “A professional organizer knows how to help their clients get organized in a way that they can maintain and find their items.”
Wichita Movers To Rely On
Many moving companies in Wichita, KS, treat each move and customer in a cookie-cutter fashion. Rightsize Moving Solutions knows each move is different for each customer, hence why we work with them to create a customized Wichita moving experience. As a professional organizer, Kristen understands the apprehension many people feel about rightsizing and moving. Her dedication and passion reflects on the entire Rightsize Moving Solutions team in every endeavor. For help transitioning smoothly into your next home, call us today!