Let’s face it: When a move is on the horizon, one of the first things you realize is how much stuff you have, and when moving day arrives, more stuff seems to pour out of every closet and cupboard in the house. For many of us, it is hard to let go of our things, but when faced with the prospect of dragging everything to a new home, downsizing starts to sound like a good idea. The good news is that there are many reasons to go minimal, and trust us when we tell you that downsizing feels great, even if you’re not planning to move.
So, where do you begin? Everyone’s home and level of clutter is different, but no matter the size of the task at hand, it’s best to start with a game plan. We suggest you break your downsizing project up into little pieces. Start with one room every weekend, for example. That way, you won’t feel overwhelmed by the daunting size of the job. Hold yourself accountable, and by chipping away at it one piece at a time, you will be amazed at how quickly you finish.
Next, evaluate the things you own, and ask yourself if you really need them at all. Take into consideration how often you use the object: Every day? Every week? Once a year? Or are you hanging on to it just in case the Queen of England comes over for dinner? When you really get into the bottoms of drawers and the backs of the closets, chances are you aren’t using most of the things you find anyway. Cleaning house can also uncover duplicate items that you don’t need, borrowed objects that can be returned, and even things that have fallen apart from neglect, making it easy to let them go. If you haven’t used something in over a year – like sporting equipment – consider letting it go and borrowing or renting it next time.
As you begin to clear things out, consider your options for getting rid of it. Before you throw things in the dumpster, see if there may be a local charity that will put your stuff to good use. Most of them will come pick it up for you as well! If you have the time, garage sales are a great way to clear away clutter and you can make some cash at the same time. Plus, there are several apps that work great for selling old stuff. Remember: even giving things away for free will rid you of the hassle of moving them yourself.
Now that your home is clean and clear of clutter, here are a few reasons that lightening your load actually feels great. For starters, a decluttered environment feels more peaceful because it prevents us from becoming overstimulated. An abundance of clutter in the home creates too many visual cues that trigger thoughts or memories. We aren’t talking about the good memories like the picture of your family vacation; we are talking about the pile of bills lying on the counter. In essence, creating a home with fewer distractions and less clutter allows the mind to enjoy fewer distractions and less clutter. You will be able to focus better and be present.
Minimalism offers you the time, space, clarity, and freedom to enjoy your everyday life. You can also apply beautiful contemporary minimalist design to your freshly cleared-out space. Take it a step further and do a remodel; open floor plans are one of the most popular minimalist designs right now and lend themselves perfectly to a clean, clutter-free living space.
If you are planning to move, or if the downsizing bug has you thinking about moving, then there is an easy clutter-free way to get through the moving process: Sell your home to an all-cash buyer. We are Gulf State Homebuyers, and we can downsize the hassle on your next move. Imagine selling your home for a great price without having to do all the inspections, repairs, upgrades, remodels, and marketing that typically come with selling your home on the market. We can do exactly that because we buy homes as-is and in all conditions. We will even purchase your home if it has been damaged by an accident or disaster. All you need to do is schedule a free home appraisal, and we will make you an offer that very same day. Our offers are highly competitive, especially when you consider all the time and money you save by selling the home in as-is condition. So downsize your clutter and downsize your move; it will feel great!