Downsizing comes with many challenges. But they are necessary to overcome so you can fit into your new, smaller home comfortably.

Here are some of the biggest obstacles you need to be aware of when downsizing.

Allowing Enough Time

One of the biggest downsizing challenges is allowing enough time. Even before you move, the process of downsizing includes sorting your belongings. You’ll have to decide what to keep, donate, sell, and discard. Of course, this takes a lot of time. So, begin as soon as you decide to move.

You need time not only to go through everything but also time for to find a new home for everything you are not keeping. This is one of the biggest challenges for the average downsizer. People usually plan to finish sorting their belongings right before the move. They often fail to allow enough time for things to sell or for people to come and pick up what they are giving away.

On top of that, if you must be out of the house by a specific date, you then have to pay for these items to be moved if you can’t leave them behind. At Top Notch Moving, we have even been paid to move things customers are donating or throwing out because they didn’t have time to run the errand.

So, start early and break the process into manageable tasks. For example, declutter one room or category at a time. If needed, ask a family member or a professional for help.

Getting Rid of Items with Monetary Value

Some people might believe that the only obstacle to downsizing is time. But this misconstruction can lead to having too much in the “keep” pile and not enough actual downsizing.

One reason that people have an unnecessarily large “keep” pile is that they’re attached to items because of how much they paid for them. It is justified to think, “I’ve spent good money on this; I’m not getting rid of it.”

However, you should think, “Do I really need/use it? And do I have a place for it in the new house?” If the answer is no, then you should strongly consider letting it go, since the item has served its purpose.

You could try to sell it to recoup some of your money, but the hurdle becomes even more prominent if the item doesn’t sell. Just because an item doesn’t sell doesn’t change your need for it or the space you will have available for it.

Rather than paying the movers to move something you don’t need or have room for, attempt to give it away. If it’s still unclaimed, then maybe you should discard the item. It may seem wasteful. But if you move it for no purpose other than its value, then it is even more wasteful since it will cost you money to move and will continue to depreciate.

Getting Rid of Items with Sentimental Value

Another reason that people have an unnecessarily large “keep” pile is that they’re attached to items because of their sentimental value. Yet, there are moments when it’s necessary to keep only the most meaningful items.

For the sentimental items you will have to get rid of, consider taking photos to preserve the memories without the bulkiness of the item. Fortunately, things like old photos and videotapes can all be converted to digital to reduce the physical clutter.

Furniture with memories can be hard to part with. But whether it has been passed down for generations or hand-built by a parent, it has served its purpose in most cases. It is okay to get rid of these things to make room for new items and new memories.

Limiting Yourself to the New Home Space

When people are downsizing, they must adjust to the limited space of the smaller home. This can be challenging, especially if they’ve been used to living in a larger house for decades.

The key to decluttering and making the best choices for your “keep” pile is to think, “Where will I put that in the new place?” Drawing a floor plan can help, even if it’s not to an exact scale. It will assist with selecting furniture and will provide an idea of floor space to ensure sufficient room to walk around after move day.

To make the most of the limited new space, consider multi-functional furniture like ottomans or tables with built-in storage. Also, use vertical storage solutions such as shelves, hooks, and hanging organizers.

Your smaller home comes not only with less storage space, but also with less surface areas to decorate. So, the amount of decorations and seasonal items you will need for your new home has decreased and should be downsized.

Another way to save on space is to get rid of replaceable things. Here are some examples to get you thinking:

• DVDs that you can now stream
• Documents or instructional manuals you could get on the Internet
• Books that you could borrow at the library if the urge to reread them strikes

One more thing to remember is that you will most likely have a smaller kitchen. Don’t make the common mistake of bringing everything, thinking it will fit into a place with fewer cabinets and drawers.

Overcoming Downsizing Challenges

If the process feels overwhelming and you’re having trouble overcoming these downsizing challenges, consider hiring professionals. There are downsizing companies that will walk you through everything and can help sort, sell, and pack your belongings.

As always, Top Notch Moving is happy to help. We can provide packing, transportation, and storage solutions tailored to your needs.