

The Truth About Downsizing and Decluttering: What No One Tells You, but You Need to Know
When I look back on my own downsizing journey, there are so many things I didn’t know that I wish I had known at the time. While I did get really good at figuring things out over time, it sure would have made the process a lot easier had I ...

From Chaos to Calm: Creating a New Year Sanctuary
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, and welcome to this extended companion blog to my “Five in Five” video series. As the New Year begins, many of us feel inspired to reset and refresh. What better way to start than by transforming your home into a sanctuary—a peaceful retreat ...

Reimagining Holiday Celebrations When Life Changes
As our lives change, so must the ways we celebrate holidays. What once brought joy may no longer fit our current circumstances, and that’s okay—it’s an opportunity to reflect and evolve. For example, if you are a new widow, divorcee, or have lost a loved one this past year, you ...

Decluttering as Self-Care: The Path to a Balanced Life
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, and welcome to this extended companion blog to my “Five in Five” video series. As we start the New Year, there’s no better time to explore the connection between decluttering and self-care. While we often associate self-care with activities like exercise or meditation, ...

Presence Over Possessions: The Hidden Joys of Minimalism
The holidays are a magical time filled with laughter, connection, and joy. But too often, they come wrapped in stress, overspending, and a frenzy of shopping for things that quickly lose their value. What if this year could be different? What if the greatest gift you gave wasn’t something you ...

Letting Go of Emotional Clutter: Start the Year with a Clear Mind
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer, and welcome to the extended companion blog to my “Five in Five” video series. Today, we’re diving into a topic that goes beyond physical spaces: emotional clutter. As we embrace the New Year, many of us focus on decluttering our homes, but how ...

Why Teaching Grandkids About Money Early Matters
Did you know that only 17% of high school students are required to take a personal finance course? Unfortunately, most of us didn’t learn much about personal finance or investing at home or in school when we were growing up either. The Gift of Financial Education: Money Skills and Financial ...

Decluttering for a Fresh Start: Embrace the New Year with Minimalism
As the calendar flips to a new year, we’re often filled with a sense of possibility—a chance to reset, reimagine, and refocus. It’s a natural time for reflection and goal-setting, but one of the most transformative resolutions you can make is to declutter your life. Decluttering isn’t just about tidying ...

Life-Changing Tips to Declutter Things You Thought You’d Never Part With
This morning, I read a funny quote from Joshua Becker: "If you’re not using the stuff in your home, get rid of it. You’re not going to start using it more by shoving it into a closet somewhere." As we approach the holiday season, many of us might be guilty ...