Downsizing at Any Stage of Your Life…By Brittany Fisher contributing writer

We All Have Too Much Stuff!

Do you ever look around your place and realize there is just too much stuff everywhere? You are not alone. Clutter is everywhere. The average American household contains 300,000 items. We spend $1.2 trillion annually on nonessential goods. And while the size of your average U.S. home has tripled over the past 50 years, many of us still rent out offsite storage spaces to hold the things we don’t even use!

Downsizing is a lifestyle trend that involves decluttering and getting rid of the excess junk in an attempt to create a happier and healthier lifestyle. The practices preached by Marie Kondo in her bestselling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up all stem from the concept of downsizing. For many people, the act of downsizing isn’t just about getting rid of clutter. They also choose to relocate to smaller, lower-maintenance homes in pursuit of a simpler life.

No matter how you decide to downsize, it can be overwhelming once you actually roll up your sleeves and set out to do it. We tend to feel sentimental regarding our possessions. The hunter-and-gatherer parts of our brains sometimes tell us that we want to hold onto things “just in case.” Or, maybe the amount of possessions you have has gotten so out of hand that you feel dizzy at the thought of it all. Whatever your situation, use the following tips to make downsizing easier, organized and as stress-free as possible.

Making a Plan

You can’t just say “I’m going to clean out all my junk!” and expect it to just get done. You have to approach a big endeavor like this with a plan of attack. Having strategies, parameters and deadlines can help with the decision making process while enabling you to finish within a reasonable time frame. Plan on cleaning out one room at a time and start with the areas you know will be easy. For instance, the garage is typically where we throw things that don’t have much of a purpose in your day-to-day life. Starting in that part of the house and cleaning out old sports equipment or construction materials is a great warm-up to complete before moving on to the more sentimental areas.

If you have trouble creating an effective plan yourself, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. A professional organizer is an expert who can help you make tough decisions in order to complete your downsizing project in time. Prices for professional organizers can be rather affordable, but go up with their experience. For instance, in Brooklyn, the average price to find a home organization consultant runs from $400 – $1,100.

Never Say Maybe

When you ask yourself “Should I keep this?” the answer always needs to be either yes or no. Having a “maybe pile” of things just leaves room for doubt. If the item isn’t useful or beautiful, you don’t need to keep it. If you are the type of person who likes to hold onto things “just in case” you may need it in the future,  you can always buy or borrow a new one if you really need it that badly.

Organize as You Go

When you box up items to get rid of, be sure to clearly label each one with a shorthand explaining what that box contains. Being able to sort and organize without peeking inside will help prevent feelings of uncertainty that may arise if you end up needing to find something. Once you’ve decided to let something go, it’s best to keep it out of sight and out of mind. Even better, make trips to the charity shop or waste center as you go so you don’t have boxes of objects hanging around.

Most of us own more things than we really need. A lifestyle trend that bucks this habit is downsizing. When you downsize your possessions, you make it easier to keep your house clean and organized. Make a plan, eliminate the word “maybe,” and organize as you go to help the entire process go without a hitch.