Ready to make your next big step in life, but feel overwhelmed by the number of things you’ve accumulated through your adventures?
These tips will help you declutter your space and give you peace of mind as you begin your transition to a senior living community. We’ll help you figure out which items in your life spark joy and what should stay with you during your transition.
Marie Condo, a famed organization expert, recommends going through every single thing that you have. Then, you must hold it up and ask yourself, “Does it spark joy?”. If the item does not give you joy, then it’s not something that you should keep for yourself. But if it does, then it’s likely something you should hold on to.
You can do this by category. For instance, you can start with your wardrobe, then move on to your books, then collectibles, and so on. We recommend continuing this until you’ve gone through all of your possessions.
After going through each item, you’ll most likely end up with two or three categories. The first category is what you keep, the second what you give away, and the third one is what you’d like to sell. A great way to expedite this process is to make it a family activity. Have your children and grandchildren come over for the day and help you go through everything. Your grandkids might even find treasures in the items you’re discarding!
Now that you’re left with only the things that give you joy, you can designate spaces for them in your new home! Make sure to keep items organized and similar items together. For instance, all your books can go in one part of your home, and all your socks could go in one drawer, not several drawers.
It can be hard to let go of things, especially possessions that may have been in your life for years. However, it’s beneficial both physically and mentally to remove things in your life that aren’t giving you joy. You can clear space for the things that matter most to you while letting go of the things that could be hindering you.
As you move on to your next chapter in life, having an organized living environment will help keep you happy and free of stress!