Downsizing is never easy, especially when you’ve lived in the same house for thirty to forty years. Many people spend more than one-year planning and preparing for the move to senior apartments. If you plan to move to senior living communities in Travis County, TX, we’ve developed tips for downsizing and making the transition smooth.
Create a Master List
To help you get started with your downsizing process, here is a list of things you should do:
- Write down everything that you own. This may seem obvious, but we can’t stress enough how important it is to make this list. You’ll be surprised at how much stuff we all have when we sit down and take the time to write it all down!
- Make a list of items that don’t fit into your new lifestyle anymore. If any items no longer fit into your life (i.e., clothing sizes), add them to the “items I’ll donate or give away” category on your master list.
Prioritize Your Belongings
Once you have an inventory of your belongings, you need to prioritize them based on importance or sentimental value. For example, do you still like the item? Is it worth the money? Will it fit in your new living space? If so, there is a high chance that this item will be shipped to the senior living community with you. However, if the thing no longer serves any purpose, does not help you personalize your apartment to feel like home, and has no monetary value (e.g., old books), it should not be packed up and moved with you!
Get Rid Of Obsolete Items And Duplicates
Obsolete items include old clothes, outdated electronics, and home and garden supplies. Duplicate items are ones for that you have more than one. Duplicate items can be helpful if you know you’re going to need them, but they aren’t required if they aren’t used regularly.
If you have several pairs of jeans or pants but only wear one pair at a time, consider donating the spare clothes so another person can use them instead!
Instead of trashing or storing these items, consider giving them to someone else who could use them! You can donate everything from clothing and furniture to electronics, toys, books, and knick-knacks. Many organizations accept donations from people who are moving into retirement communities. They will pick up these donations from your home and deliver them directly to the people who need them.
Move Into A Fun Retirement Community Today
If you’re moving into a senior living community, many things must be remembered. Moving can be tricky, but you can take things one step at a time to prevent yourself from being overwhelmed. For more information on our retirement communities, contact us today.
