Whether you are wanting to downsize to a smaller home and retirement, or to simply declutter the home you currently live in, the process can be overwhelming especially if you’re just starting out.
These expert tips and strategies that I cover in this video and blog will help guide you and make the process easier and more efficient.
The overarching goals for downsizing and decluttering in your 60s are to:
- Reduce the amount of stuff and live with less, perhaps eventually moving to a smaller home.
- Prevent your family from having to deal with your stuff when you are gone.
With that being said, here are a few of my top tips and strategies for downsizing and decluttering in your 60s
1. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Start now. Start small.
Procrastination is one of the biggest obstacles to overcome when it comes to downsizing and decluttering.
At some point, we’ve all been guilty of procrastinating about something in our life.
- I.e., losing weight, exercising daily, saving more money. We all have good intentions, but then, if we don’t act, nothing happens. Remember without action nothing happens.
The same is true for decluttering and downsizing. Even though we might want to declutter and downsize, we often think we have time, and will eventually get around to it. But unfortunately, there’s no way to guarantee how much time we have left on this earth, so don’t procrastinate.
Start now. Start small
Some action is better than no action. Try to give yourself as much time as possible to carefully sore throat your possessions, so you can thoughtfully decide what to keep, donate, or trash.
Keep in mind as you declutter, if you are moving to a smaller home, because you will have less space, you will need to learn to develop a strong decluttering muscle, to deciding to keep what you need, and love.
2. All aboard!
Getting all on board to declutter a lifetime of possessions, and or downsize from you raise your family is often one of the biggest hurdles to overcome.
It can be extremely challenging when one spouse wants to declutter and downsize and the other spouse doesn’t.
Even though it’s challenging, it’s possible to find a middle ground and collaborate when it comes to something this important
Have ongoing open and honest conversations about why decluttering and downsizing is a good idea. It takes time for a seed to be planted and grow.
- Discuss the pros and cons of downsizing and decluttering.
- Consider other options such as aging in place, downsizing by decluttering
- Discuss the practical reasons for decluttering and downsizing.
- i.e. a safe environment as your age, reducing expenses, less stuff and less space to manage, is a simpler life with more time and freedom to enjoy life to the fullest
3. Create a shared vision.
I.e. downsize to a smaller, more manageable home, be closer to family and grandchildren, healthcare, facilities, similar age, communities, etc.
I.e. downsize by decluttering
Start decluttering your existing home to simplify your life with less and less stress
I.e. toe in the water approach
Try wrenching for a while and try on different lifestyles and different types of housing. See what works best for you or doesn’t so you can determine where you want to live and what kind of lifestyle suits you.
4. Downsize and decluttering is a team effort
Start by building your team. The downsizing decluttering journey is both physically and emotionally exhausting. Having a team, a group of supportive, family and friends we’re not only help you with the physical part of the process but can also help to support and encourage you from beginning to end… Even when you want to give up.
Make sure to involve your team and the decision process.
- Discern what’s important to them and why
- Help decide what they are willing to let go of
Throughout the process, it’s important to be patient and empathetic, because there are certain things that we get attached to that will trigger small emotions. It requires understanding and compassion.
5. Getting unstuck.
Likely, you will have to deal with resistance, reluctance, and avoidance,
Likely, you will get stuck somewhere along your journey, because changes is hard, and there may be times that you are your spouse, resist, procrastinate, or avoid action altogether.
When this happens, it’s important to talk about it with your spouse and with your team, to help you understand why you’re struck.
It may not be obvious to you, but it might be more obvious to someone else. Downsizing and decluttering are emotional. It causes overwhelm, stress, and anxiety.
And, the stakes are high. You are undergoing a huge life change, so fear, self-doubt, and indecision are all typical emotions that will stop you.
Often, decision fatigue will set in making you overthink everything to the point that you can’t decide at all.
Once you understand, what’s going on inside, you can recharge your motivation to declutter and downsize on the outside.
Reminding yourself of why you want to downsize and declutter, your common vision can certainly help you get motivated again, and renew that vision and passion for a simpler life with less clutter and less stress.
Bottom line: Downsizing and decluttering is a roller coaster of emotions.
The highs, the lows.
The excitement, the frustration.
All are part of the journey. Accept it. Embrace it. It’s well worth the wild ride.
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