The Upside to Downsizing – Part 3
Making decisions as to what to keep, what to donate, what to discard, what to shred, and what to recycle is probably going to be one of the hardest parts of downsizing.
Many memories are attached to your “things,” but if you’re able to keep the bigger picture in mind, it helps. You’re downsizing so you have less to take care of, and so you can give others an opportunity to enjoy the things that you’ve appreciated throughout the years. In addition, you’re tossing things that may not be useful any longer (like an electric bill from 1990); getting rid of these items is very liberating.
Try asking yourself the following yes/no questions. If you can’t come up with a sound reason to keep your item, now is the time to part with it.
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Do I have a definitive use for the item, and am I even using it?
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When was the last time I used the item?
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Will the item fit into my new house?
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Does the item need to be repaired or is it totally broken?
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Does this item serve a worthwhile purpose in my life?
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Do I need to keep the item for legal purposes?
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Do I love the item?
And here are a few tips:
Be patient. How long did it take you to accumulate all of your things?
If in doubt, keep an item or take a picture of it to remember it.
Even if you decided to get rid of something, you’re allowed to change your mind.
There are many resources out there to help you make these decisions and to make this transition as smooth and as easy as possible.
Coming in Part 4: Learn all about the benefits of downsizing.