Downsizing in Denver

It’s no secret that downsizing is a challenge, from both a logistical and an emotional standpoint. We recently contributed to an article by the real-estate experts at Redfin discussing those challenges. Let’s explore some ideas that might be helpful if you are considering downsizing.

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Reasons for Downsizing

Sometimes downsizing is a practical decision. From empty nesters wanting to streamline life to simply looking to save on monthly bills by moving from a large house or apartment into a smaller one, people make calculated decisions to downsize all the time. However, it can also be a necessary life decision, such as situations where someone is facing long-term mobility issues that make their existing living conditions untenable.

Every downsize is unique, but they tend to face similar challenges. First, there’s the emotional challenge associated with parting with possessions. We’ll discuss ideas to help people decide what stays and what goes, as well as tips for preserving memories without keeping every item. The other major challenge is the very practical one of what to do with all that stuff? Once you figure out what you should keep and what will go, where does all that stuff go? We’ll get to that a little later on.

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Emotional Challenges

Let’s talk first about the emotional challenge of parting with items that are connected to years of memories. Just look around your room right now. Pick an item or two and think about why you have it. I bet you could tell me a story or two associated with just about every item you have. Those memories are wonderful, but those memories are also why it is difficult for some people to approach the idea of downsizing. Inevitably, downsizing means parting with many of those items, and that’s really hard, but it doesn’t mean parting with memories.

Ways to face the emotional challenge

How can you face the emotional challenge of parting with personal items when downsizing? Let’s explore some ideas:

1. Let’s begin this emotional journey with a practical question: If you are moving, how much space are you used to having, and how much space will you have going forward? If you are staying where you are, but making changes, what are your plans for your living space? It will be important to keep the answers to these questions in mind throughout this entire process. Downsizing does not mean completely starting over, but it does mean carefully curating your possessions. It’s a sort of soft fresh start. Take a realistic approach to how much stuff you think you should have in your new living space before you think about what you have now and how it will fit after moving.
2. Now, you can think about the emotional connection to items around your house. As Redfin puts it, understand what brings you joy. If you’re like me, you’ll find that some items retain a strong bond to the people, places, and events that brought them into my life, while others have faded. Sometimes this is because the feelings are less intense over time, and sometimes more important memories have eclipsed them. You may be surprised at how many items feel less important to retain in the downsizing process when you start with this approach. Downsizing is an opportunity to declutter, both physically and mentally. Ask yourself questions like:​
   • When was the last time I actively interacted with this item?
   • What value or benefit does it bring to my life?
   • How long would it take for me to notice if it was gone or misplaced?
3. Once you have removed items that no longer hold a strong emotional connection, you can think about what the emotions of the remaining items truly mean to you. Are these deeply personal items, or items that have a shared experience with someone else who may appreciate them? Can you think of someone who would cherish a particular item as much as you do, and maybe offer it to them? You would be surprised how much a gesture like this can mean to a loved one. Sometimes a friend or family member may have to decline a gift if they don’t have room for it, but oftentimes people will try to make room for anything from knick-knacks to furniture when it is associated with a personal connection. This is a wonderful way to ensure that the memories of cherished items live on.
4. Remember that the item is only associated with the memory; it is not the source of the memory. Once you have assessed the emotional connection to your items, and tried to find new homes for pieces that have shared memories with friends and family, it’s time to get into the real nitty gritty work. You know how much space you have to work with if you took step 1 seriously. Will you be able to live comfortably with what is left after steps 2 and 3? If you still have to find a way to let some things go, we have an idea for you that we’ve seen from our experience. It has been a great help for some people to document their lives in ways that are more space efficient. Scrapbooking, shadowbox displays, photographs, video, digital photo frames, ribbon boards, and other ways to collect and display multiple items in one place are a great way to collect many sentimental connections into one place, and separate the memory from the object. One word of caution: Anticipate feelings of sadness and grief when you decide to let some items go. This is natural, but think of it as a chance to grow, rather than a barrier.

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Logistical Challenges

Alright, now you have taken the steps to figure out what you are keeping after you downsize, but what do you do with everything that is left? In the past, many people may have simply thrown a lot away, but that’s not an environmentally friendly approach. Let’s look at some options for responsible disposal of the items that need to go.

Ways to face the logistical challenge

• Garage/Yard Sale - If the weather is right and you feel up to it, running a sale yourself will put some money into your pocket, as well as help ensure that the items that people buy will go on to have a useful life with someone else.
• Online Sales - Maybe you don’t want to or can’t display everything for sale on a weekend. Maybe you don’t think you have enough you want to sell to justify the effort. For some people online options can be more appealing. Local sales through Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and other neighborhood networking sites are good for small numbers of items. They will still require an in-person exchange at some point, but other sites like eBay (for general sales), Poshmark (for clothing), Worthy.com (for jewelry), and more niche sites will allow you to ship items to buyers. Just be aware of the rules of each site, as well as the taxes and fees involved.
• Estate Sale Agencies - These companies have been around for a long time. Estate sales, also called tag sales, are sometimes in-person events where people come to buy items that have been priced by the estate sale company. It’s a lot like a yard sale, but the company does the hard work in exchange for a percentage of the profit. Many of these sales and auctions have moved online, however, with buyers coming to pick the items up after purchasing them.
• Donation and Resale - If you have the means to transport items, most cities have charities and second-hand stores that accept almost anything that is in good condition. From clothing and housewares to furniture, you can probably find a place that will either take items for free or buy them from you for a small amount. Be aware, though, that you should call ahead to ask if there are items that a donation drop-off cannot accept. Sometimes they have more than enough of something you want to donate, and sometimes they simply don’t have the facilities to process and sell certain items.
• Estate Clean-out - This is where Sustainable Junk Removal starts to come into the picture. We can help with small-scale estate clean-outs. What does that mean, exactly? Well, imagine you have decided that you have enough items to get rid of that you could fill about one room in your house, and it’s too much to try to sell or donate it. We can come and do the heavy lifting to load it up, haul it away, and find the best ways to off-load it on your behalf. Our truck is large, but we have our limits. For jobs that are beyond our capabilities, we have our friends at Gone for Good that have the ability to process even more items at one time.

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We highly suggest taking a moment to read this Redfin article on the subject. They collected the thoughts and advice of people from many industries that work with people who are downsizing. You’ll find helpful ideas and resources.

Remember that downsizing doesn’t happen in a day. For some people, it’s the culmination of years of careful consideration, and completing the process will take time. Sustainable Junk Removal will always be happy to consult with you regarding your downsizing needs. We offer free estimates and advice. If we are not the right ones to help with your situation, we likely have resources and partners who fit. Give us a call at 720-740-7200 to discuss anything from reducing a little bit of clutter to removing a household full of items that you have chosen to part with.