RightSizing - 26 Things to Consider When You Are Moving to a Smaller Place

Are you at a point in your life where you are considering moving into a smaller place? Or maybe you are already in the thick of it. Or perhaps you are helping a family member move into something smaller. 

RIGHTSIZING

Typically we hear the word ‘downsizing’, but I’d like to suggest that we call it RightSizing. The word ‘down’ has a negative feeling about it. But moving into something smaller can have big benefits. It’s really doing something positive and right, so let’s call it RightSizing. RightSizing means moving into something that is going to fit your lifestyle now.

At some point in our lives we will all likely RightSize. Here are 26 tips to help make it a positive experience.

• Don’t try to tackle the entire house at once – do a couple of hours at a time
• Use your new space as a guide for how much you can take – what size and storage do you have now? What will you have in your new place?
• Get rid of things before you move, not after – saves money, saves your back, saves the headache of getting rid of things later
• Don’t have a ‘MAYBE’ pile – use the OHIO rule – Only Handle It Once. If you have a maybe pile it’s much harder to get rid of it later.
• Have less – don’t just hide it somewhere else!
• Don’t focus on the newest and best items – instead focus on the things you use and love the most
• Digitize photos
• Pick your favorite piece from a collection, not the whole collection then take photos of the rest of the collection and put them into a Shutterfly book
• Don’t waste time on trying to sell a ton of things by yourself – give things away – they will pick them up and you will get a donation come tax time. Easier, faster. Get charities to take items. Places like 800 Got junk can help take things away. Check which charities pick up for free and what they will take.
• Give away books – unless you are a re-reader you will likely never look at them again. 
• Don’t be surprised if your kids don’t want anything
• If you are packing for someone else, don’t be surprised if they don’t want you to throw things away. City my story with Mom trying to throw away her fabric
• If you haven’t used it in a year or don’t plan to in the next 6 months, purge it.
• Keep a few sentimental items – don’t be too quick to pitch
• Don’t be surprised when antique dealers don’t want a lot of your things – times have changed.
• Go through those boxes of stuff you have stashed away – pitch
• Plan your storage for your new place first, then keep what will fit and pitch the rest
• Re-home things that you love or that have meaning – give to family and friends
• Organize important papers and documents
• Decide which family heirlooms to keep
• Don’t pitch electronic until you have wiped information from them
• Keep a few collectible things you would display and get rid of the stuff you would store in a box
• Pitch expired medicines and make-up
• Keep basic kitchen items and bath supplies – get rid of duplicates
• Keep the artwork you like and give away the rest – just keep what you really like. Plan your space before you move these things
• Keep something if it makes you smile or you feel it’s beautiful and you enjoy it – display it where you can enjoy it, don’t stash it away.

William Morris once said, 

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."

Are you in the midst of 'rightsizing'? Or are you thinking about moving to a smaller place? What challenges have you faced? What mistakes have you made? What ideas can you share to help others? Please share your stories and experiences below....and ask questions if you are considering a move.

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