Downsizing to Simplify Your Life

July 12, 2024 by Heather Filed Under: Estate Planning, Move Management, Organize, Senior Organizing 2 Comments

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the work you do around your home, you are not alone. Between maintenance, cleaning, landscaping, and organizing everything (inside closets, cupboards, and cabinets), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. All the work required for larger homes can lead many people to consider how to one day Downsize or Rightsize to simplify their life—it isn’t just for seniors!

Last month, I shared helpful steps for an organized move on the Creatively Organized Spaces blog. But when you’re moving to downsize, there’s much more to consider.

Before making big changes, it’s important to consider a few things first. Below, we’ll discuss the benefits of downsizing to simplify your life, the emotional toll it can take, and tips for caring for older relatives during the downsizing process.

Why Downsize?

Simplified Lifestyle
Downsizing has many benefits, but the common thread is a simplified lifestyle. And as a professional organizer, you know I’m a big fan of that! We simplify our homes and lives and make space for what matters most.

Financial Savings
One of the most significant benefits of downsizing is cutting costs. A smaller home typically means lower mortgage payments, reduced property taxes, and decreased utility bills. For retirees living on a fixed income, these savings can provide much-needed financial relief, which leads to less stress.

Less Maintenance & Upkeep
The American dream of a large home, sprawling lawn, and white picket fence sounds nice, but it’s a lot of work!

A smaller home means less surface area to clean, repair, and organize. For seniors, community living is a great option. Many senior living communities offer maintenance services, which means tasks like lawn care, snow removal, and home repairs are taken care of for you.

Safety & Accessibility
A big benefit for downsizing seniors is increased safety and accessibility with single-story layouts, wider doorways, and other modifications. Reducing the risk of falling and other accidents gives seniors and their families peace of mind.

The Emotional Side of Downsizing

It can be especially overwhelming for seniors to downsize because they often have a lifetime of belongings and memories that need to be faced and sorted. This leads to a lot of decision-making, which can be emotionally overwhelming.

I am deeply compassionate about the sensitive nature of downsizing and have worked closely with many seniors to manage the emotional and physical aspects.

Taking frequent breaks, drinking water, eating, and pausing when emotions run high are a few things that help.

Most people need support sorting and decluttering their belongings; a compassionate partner and helpers make all the difference.

It’s important to honor the memories and nostalgia that arise when sorting through the past. For more information about coping with the emotions of downsizing, here is a wonderful article by the Elder Care Alliance.

Caring for Older Relatives During Downsizing

Adult children often help their aging parents downsize, which is bound to stir emotions for everyone. Supporting someone from a long distance can create added stress. This checklist for caregivers from the Family Caregiver Alliance is a good starting point for getting your to-do’s in order. Here are a few other recommendations.

Find in-person professional support. Whether traveling long distances or not, working with a senior move management professional can reduce stress for everyone. Contact me to learn more about my downsizing services.
Start sorting and decluttering as early as possible (if you aren’t rushed). It takes longer than you think and requires compassion and a healthy dose of patience.
Get organized! This is no surprise, but you’ll save time and energy if you get organized early in the downsizing process. Create a notebook or folder to keep all your checklists, contacts, and other important information. Gather supplies like boxes and packing materials. Keep an inventory of belongings as you sort through and pack them. You’ll thank your future self if you do these things beforehand!

For more tips and support in long-distance caregiving, here is a helpful article from the National Institute on Aging.

[Read more…]

Move Like a Pro-Organizer with these 5 steps

June 22, 2024 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Whenever moving is mentioned in conversation, there are usually heavy sighs, groans, and eye rolls. No one likes moving, but below, I share 5 steps to move like a pro-organizer.

It’s often listed as one of the most stressful life events, and it’s no wonder — we have a lot of stuff in our homes! Getting organized before your move can make things run more smoothly and eliminate stress. And because summer is peak moving season, I thought I’d share a few steps to make your next move easier.

Plan Ahead

As with anything, a little planning goes a long way. Imagine what can happen if you do a lot of planning!

A plan reduces moving stress because you know what to expect when things get busy.

Keep Information in One Place — Create a binder or folder to keep all information in one place. You’ll want a packing checklist [hyperlink to yours if you have one as a lead magnet], schedule, utility information, contact information, and more inside your binder.
Plan Your Time — Well before your moving date, use your calendar to work backward from your move day and create a general schedule. You’ll want to save packing things you use often for the days right before the move, but you can begin packing infrequently used items early. Decluttering before you start packing is essential. You’ll also want to call the utility companies before your move. Mark these timeframes on your calendar to stay on track.
Gather Supplies — Create a tote with labels, Sharpies, scissors, packing tape, and other supplies so you can find them easily. You’ll use these supplies when decluttering. Begin collecting boxes so you don’t scramble at the end. Here are a few ideas for creating a moving kit. I share my favorite organizing tips, tricks, and supplies in this short post.

Declutter Before You Move

No one wants to move extra stuff they no longer use, but when you’re feeling overwhelmed, the move date can come quickly, and you end up throwing everything in a box whether you need it anymore or not. That’s why the planning step helps so much.

Go room by room and declutter as quickly as you can. Open closets, look under beds — get as detailed as time allows, and be ruthless if you can! Moving is stressful because we realize how much we actually have when we begin pulling it all out. Use this time as motivation to let go of unused items by donating or selling them.

Packing

It’s time to grab your packing kit! Pack your home room by room, starting with the spaces you use least often. It’s ok to move to the next room once you’ve packed a room and only items you’re still using remain, but don’t mix items from different rooms in boxes. Keep rooms separate so the unpacking process can go much more smoothly.

Label everything! It may feel like overkill, but you’ll be thankful when you’re unpacking. List the room the box belongs in and a few notes on what’s inside. Label boxes on the top and side so you can see what they contain when they’re stacked.
Expert Tip! Use luggage to pack essential items you’ll need right away, like toiletries and clothes.

A recent moving job with Professional Movers of Charleston. What a great team!

Moving Day

The day is finally here—try to enjoy the momentous occasion if you can!

Ask your movers to place boxes in their corresponding rooms to make unpacking easier.
Keep your moving binder accessible for any phone numbers or details you might need.
Celebrate! After everything is unloaded, take a moment to celebrate the move. A lot of hard work has led to this moment!

Unpacking

After the big day, it’s time to begin setting up your new home. The task can feel overwhelming, but think of it as a way to arrange everything as you’ve always wanted.

Reverse Order. You’ll unpack everything in the reverse order in which you packed it. Begin by unpacking your essentials, and then move on to the next most frequently used items.
Organize as You Go. Group things together, create zones, and label. This will help you and your family remember where things go as you adjust to your new home.

Describing how to organize your home requires multiple blog posts (search by category or space for more posts). Use this as an encouraging nudge to organize as you settle into your new space. You’ll thank your future self later!

Remember, moving doesn’t have to be as stressful as everyone thinks. You can do this!

______________

Ready to move like a pro organizer? If all this sounds like more work than you’re willing to take on, contact us to learn about our move management and unpacking services. We can take all of this off your plate!

Moving, Lists and Inventory

July 17, 2023 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 2 Comments

When it comes to moving, lists and inventory are essential tools. After over ten years of helping clients with move management and moving several times over the last ten years, I have included some helpful tips to keep your move progressing while minimizing your being overwhelmed.

No matter your circumstances, you are likely to pack a few things on your own, and a good moving company can help you calculate the number of boxes you will have based on your home, number of rooms, and household members. For example, when we moved locally to SC two years ago, we had approximately ninety boxes for two people.

Create a move strategy:

My move management strategy includes breaking up packing into categories.
This is a great strategy for DIY moves or if you are selling your home and must declutter for staging.
Pack photographs, home accessories, linens, fine china, unnecessary kitchen items, and some clothing (out of season).
Purge, donate, sell….repeat:)
Pack a little bit at a time rather than try to cram it all into the last week or so. This will vary based on your schedule and circumstances.
Create a dedicated packing area (keep supplies here). This can be a corner of a room, the garage, or a storage unit.
Pace yourself and try tp pack 2-4 boxes a day (5 days a week). Doing this lets you at least partially calculate how long it will take to fully pack.
A moving company will have you packed in a day or two.

Create a comprehensive move portfolio:

Have a dedicated spot for all your moving-related paperwork (contracts, inventory, notes, etc).
As you pack, keep track of more details, and don’t try to remember everything.
Your list can be digital or on paper.
No detail is too small. For example, if you are temporarily storing things, note where the key or combination code is.
Note where your very important papers are. Keep track of these during your move, especially if you have any temporary housing between locations. This is often the case for remodels, new construction, or long-distance moves.

Create a moving inventory:

Number each box and add it to the list
A short description of the contents of each box, making special notes of valuable (sentimental or monetary) items or general contents by Category ex. Lampshades, pillows, linens, china, clothes etc.
Label the box with the DESTINATION room location
Work alongside packers (if you’ve hired a moving company) to be sure boxes are labeled accurately (even if they don’t have a description, you can add a number and room)

With this system, you will have a very good idea of what’s in each box and where it goes. As a bonus, this inventory can serve insurance purposes if needed.

Moving Monday::Where to Begin with Packing (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)

How Pro Organizers help with Move Management

July 8, 2019 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Many people ask me how to organize move management. This is a great question. Many resources are available for moving, but an organizer can help you specifically based on your needs and schedule. Of course, there are a lot of variables like local or long distance, corporate relocation or DIY, remodel with move, downsizing, and possible storage needs. It can get complicated, but below, I share some basics of how we POs can help with various moving challenges!

What Pro Organizer do for your move

A big part of what an Organizer does to help with moving is called “Move Management” in our industry. The steps below break down the process. Organizing move management can help at any stage, from researching moving companies, purging, and setting deadlines to helping with packing, move day coordination, unpacking, and organizing the new home.

Start with the end date!!

The most important thing to keep an eye on is the end date. Work backward from there. Get your move scheduled ASAP, or at least have an idea of when the move is happening. Six weeks or six months is going to make a big difference! If you know who you will use, book your moving date asap (you can change it later if needed).

Don’t underestimate how much work moving is! One of the biggest mistakes I see when it comes to moving is people underestimating the time it takes to prepare. It is a much more manageable process when we break it down with the deadline in mind.

Do your Research!

Research and decide on your moving company or method of transporting items. Will you be packing items yourself, having a moving company pack everything, or something in between?

Book your movers about one month ahead if you have not already! Keep in mind that summer is peak season so plan ahead.

It’s never too soon to start purging.

If you have many items go through and are downsizing a great deal, get started purging.

Purge in categories (ex., Clothing, Books, Holiday decor, memorabilia, linens, furniture, etc.). Start sorting items one category at a time. Work large to small, starting with items like furniture and ending with easy items like linens and toiletries. An organizer can help you decide whether donating, selling, or giving away items is best. Use sticky notes and a notepad to identify and tag items to get rid of. This will help you keep track of larger pieces that will not be making the move.

Set aside a short-to-long-term “staging” area (e.g., a garage or spare room) for sorting and temporarily storing items to get rid of. This is also an area to keep packing supplies like tape, bubble wrap, paper, etc. Start gathering supplies to keep in this area so you can pack as needed.

Make arrangements for weekly pick up or drop off of donations (again, something an organizer can do for you).

Create an inventory “notebook” or file.

As you pack boxes, label them with the room they will go to, box number, and general contents on your inventory sheet. Also, keep track of special items or valuables on this list. Keep this notebook in your staging area and on hand as move day approaches.

Pack up personals,

Say farewell (for awhile) to photos and memorabilia, especially if your home is being staged for sale. Work with your real estate agent, organizer or stager to determine the appropriate amount of “accessorizing” for your home’s size and market.

Plan for a soft landing!

Book your unpacking crew (either with the moving company or your professional organizer).

Did you know that unpacking services do not include putting items away? They will only place items on horizontal surfaces, which can be a big annoyance! Coordinate with your mover and organizer to get you settled in ASAP!

DIY Packing tips

Pack by category and by room. Be sure each room and category is ready to be packed in a way that will make the most sense when unpacking.

The last items to be packed should be the first items to be unpacked. Be sure you know where items like sheets, towels, and frequently used household items (e.g., coffee pot, cleaning supplies, paper plates, or a few essential dishes) are.

You should pack these items in your luggage: toiletries, clothing, small valuables, medications, food items, and important papers you want to carry to your new home on a moving day.

Need Pro Organizing move management?

If all of the above just feels overwhelming, Pro Organizers is here to help! Contact us to learn more about how we can best use our skills to make your move a breeze.

Hire an organizer for move-day coordination. They can meet your movers as they pack the contents of your old home and check to make sure items are properly labeled and identified so they can be placed in your new home.

Hire an organizer for 1-2 days of unpacking service. We will set up your essential rooms for your first night in your new home. We can meet the moving crew on either or both ends. Upon arrival, we coordinate box placement to ensure they will not impede household use. We can immediately begin unpacking essential rooms like bedrooms, closets, bathrooms, and the kitchen.

Have a restful first night in your new home!

Moving can be stressful but with planning, prioritizing and help from an organizer, it can be a breeze and a lot of fun settling into a new home!

If you’re planning a move and feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to contact me so I can tell you more specifically how Pro Organizers help with Move Management!

Moving Advice for Gracious Living

May 22, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize Leave a Comment

My dear friend Celeste has a lovely blog filled with an assortment of observations to enhance your modern life! She was kind enough to allow me to share her pearls of wisdom and Moving Advice for Gracious Living here with you…

From the desk of Celeste B.
Moving? A friend of my acquaintance is a master at it. She has undertaken and supervised 5 moves in 6 years in New York City as well as many others during her adult lifetime, including a recent one to the coast of Maine, of all places!
Anyhoo, I have managed to glean some very helpful tips from her as to how to maintain sanity and equilibrium in general during the process, without excessive medications. She also advises to save cocktail time until the end of the packing workday which I feel is entirely sensible given the chances for mishaps. Of course if you can afford to have your movers wrap, box and load all your worldly goods then this will not pertain to you and you may as well not upset your routine happy hour in any way.

The truck rental and movers have scads of boxes and material of all kinds. Bite the bullet and pay for them for a couple of reasons: the boxes are uniform in shape, they are in new condition, they are available in one place and they can be returned if not used.

If you must scavenge boxes elsewhere, be choosy about their condition. Set up a temporary area in every room for wrapping and boxing, preferably on a table of convenient height with good lighting. Gather your supplies: pens, stickers, wrapping paper and legal pad. That last is paramount. Make a list. Number every box (see above) and make a fairly detailed list of the contents of each box. If that sounds like a lot of work, I can only say that it will be worth it when you are trying to find the toaster and coffee maker among the jumble of everything. When you plainly number boxes, write it on at least four of the six sides, otherwise you will certainly be looking at stacks of boxes with a number only on top. You will be able to assign arrival rooms to boxes by number at any time if you haven’t stickered them with a color code scheme for the movers. And Ladies, protect your hands from the drying effect of wrapping paper by wearing gloves. That paper draws all the moisture from your skin!
Don’t fill a box beyond its limit and be mindful of weight. Using another box won’t hurt a thing and will safeguard against possible tragedies. Books are a good example. Just because a box will hold them all does not mean it is appropriate, that’s why there are mover-designated book boxes which are about the size of a liquor box, a perfect restraint against overloading. Use your blankets, towels and pillows to cushion items. Use that sticky paper tape to seal boxes, not the flimsy plastic type better used for mailing. Don’t be shy about sealing the bottom with two strips of tape.

Don’t feel that everything must be boxed. Movers deal with oddly shaped items all the time, but do wrap them if they are vulnerable.
Let us not forget that we have too much stuff in general and that de-accessioning as much as you can will allow you to be less of a slave to possessions. Grandmother wisely reminded me that the Latin word for possessions is impedimenta. Find a good consignment
shop and breathe easy.
Smooches,
Celeste