| downsizing |
Are there experts out there that can talk to “how to downsize”? When a person’s life changes and you close up your home of many years to live more simply in a condo or apartment, the task of downsizing is overwhelming. Any advice?
Posted in home & garden, Members want to know, other topics.
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My daughter is 30 with 2 children. I'm searching for ways to help her. She is so emotionally abusive to her 8 year old daughter, breaks my heart. I've run out of advice to offer the granddaughter, that's why I'm on here searching for answers. TheSo how about having him move, really. Should your sons be left with him if they are living at home. Give him an ultimatum. Go to a doctor and get on meds and stay in therapy or stay away. You deserve to have stability in your life. Put the I think it is just being the person you have always been actually. Hubby and I are still trying to figure out what we will be when we grow up!! haha. We tease and laugh in public.
It has gotten better since we became empty nesters really. WeI have been using organic shampoo and conditioner, but I have been using Chi oil on my hair after I wash it, I either let it air dry or gently blow dry, then if needed I will add some more if it is wangy yet. I also use either a large curling isron
Shirley - what a breath of fresh air. It sounds like you are quite the extraordinary person. I'm going to take your advice and ask myself what would I like to do on this long holiday weekend! Who knows...I just might have some fun. The loneliness is 
Hi CynAva,
I recently worked with my Sis and empty-nester after her nasty divorce. I found a site where there were easy, straightforward ideas for downsizing. My Sis wasn’t thrilled but realized that less stuff brought closure as well a new found freedom She went from a 4300 square foot house to a 700 square foot one bedroom apartment!
Good luck!
Luc’s Mi’Mi’
http://www.topcatrts.com/how-we-help/organizing-services
Okay I’m new to Vibrant Nation and I can’t figure out how to respond to CynAva directly so I hope you can see this via Luc’s reply. I am married to a recently retired Marine.. 30 yrs. of military living..lots of military moves never knowing how big the next home would or would not be. So every couple of years we go thru all over stuff and decide if we want to keep it, sell it, donate it or toss it.
I took a Home Organization Class with a friend (because she really needed help. Known her for 9 yrs. and have never been in her home but that’s another story). Anyway in the Home Organization class we learned this: I’m saving you the $40.00 it cost to take this class. :)
It’s junk if….
You remember the gifts you lied through your teeth about liking. They are still in the box. You don’t have to let guilt force you to keep these gifts forever!!! Who knew???)
)
1) It’s broken or obsolete. (Are we really going to do the same jigsaw puzzle twice? Shouldn’t Mario and Luigi be retired?)
2) You’ve outgrown it physically or emotionally. (Yep you can get rid of a lot of stuff with this one. The entire geese kitchen motif collection I had since 1985 got donated).
3) You’ve always hated it (this includes gifts that were hoisted on you but reflected more the giver’s style than your own…my sister in law trying to turn me into a mini-her….but I digress
4) It’s the wrong size, wrong color, or wrong style. If it’s too small to fit you now and you’re not actively dieting or exercising, get rid of it.
5) Using it is more bother than it’s worth (Can this include husbands?…just wondering
6) It wouldn’t really affect you if you never saw it again.
7) It generates bad feelings (yep we’re going to feng shui it atta here)
8) You have to clean it, store it and insure it but you don’t get much use or enjoyment out of it. (This does not include children)
9) It will shock, bore, or burden the coming generation.
With all that in mind, I had two yard sales and made almost $1000.00. My friend took home the paperwork given to her in the class and lost it in her clutter never to be seen again.
We are moving again in the next couple of weeks. The last move before assisted living
Oooh-rah. I’ve made two trips to the Salvation Army and had two more yard sales. I wish you the best of luck. You can do it!!!
I downsized a few years ago. For the most part I love it. I love being able to vacuum the entire house with three or four “plug ins.” I really love not having a big yard – just enough to have a table and a few flowers. When I thought about the rooms that my husband and I really used, I realize I still have them all.
The only time I miss having the big house is when I want to have a party. Before, I could just invite and invite. Now I have to be a little more discerning (and I’ve gotten very creative on how to use our space). Take a good look at what’s important to you – the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, garden? Then try to choose accordingly. It will make the adjustment easier.
Well, organization is key. Make lists and research. First, identify all of those material things that you no longer need or desire to bring with you. Then, either decide whether you want to try and sell them, give them to charity, or give them away to friends/family. Clear the clutter.
I think the better way to approach it would be to go around and identify the items you simply MUST have and bring with you. Then, work from there.
I think you’ll find yourself feeling much freer and lighter. As a person who has moved herself into a smaller apartment over the past few years, I felt incredibly lighter once I started to give things away or sell them. Now I’ve trained myself to only surround myself with things I really love (my books, for example) or need. Downsizing can open up space for many other things in your life.
Two years ago when my store closed down and we ALL lost our jobs I packed up EVERYTHING after much sorting and organizing into a 7×12 storage unit.I took off to Paris with only two suitcases. I lived there in two different places during the three months.What helped me not to be so OVERWHELMED was taking baby steps to throw out and give away stuff. No more accumulation for this Parislady.
Having relocated many times over the years I’ve learned to shop my own rooms and closets. When I get to a new place I put everything in a staging room (livingroom and dining room) and shop from there to set-up each room and same for closets. After setting up house with my best/most used items i always have stuff left over that goes to kids/family/friends/goodwill (unfortunately i still shop too much and have to do it all over again). If you have the opportunity you could even set up the smaller place a week or so in advance and fill with what you love, then have a yard sale at the old place. Might be difficult as the previous post says – baby steps may be required.
Yes, baby steps and it feels GREAT afterwards!!!!!!! And soon I am going to get rid of even more stuff.