Although moving house sounds like an exciting new chapter of one’s life, many people dread it because of the hassle that comes with the moving process. This can be worse for seniors moving out of a house they have lived in for years. They have to go through piles of belongings accumulated over the years and the thought of the number of things to sort through can be enough to put people off. If you’re downsizing, your living space will be smaller than what you’re used to, which means less place for your belongings and that you will need to declutter before making the big move.
That sounds like a lot, doesn’t it? Well, it does not have to be as daunting as it appears to be. We have compiled a downsizing checklist that will make your move easier.
Establish A Timeline
To reduce the stress that comes with moving, don’t pack all your items in one day or at the last minute. Do it regularly over a period of time, it can be weeks or even months as long as you feel comfortable with the pace. It is important you give yourself sufficient time to look through your items because no matter how little belongings you may seem to have, it is still a very time-consuming process. To ensure that you will finish packing on time for delivery day, you should set a timeline for your packing schedule.
Create A Sorting System
Packing can get quite messy, so it would be good if you can create a sorting system. When sorting through each room, create two distinct piles- one for unwanted items and one for items you want to keep and bring over to your new house. This will help you stay organized. Repeat the same process for all areas of the house till you’re all done.
Clear Your Clutter
Once you have set aside all your unwanted items, throw those that are not in the condition to be given away or sold. You can sell the remaining items online or by organizing a garage sale to earn some money to cover the costs of moving. Alternatively, you can donate them to friends and family or to non-profit organizations that can give them to people who will need these things more.
Call Moving Companies
To ensure that your move proceeds as easily as possible, you will want to start hiring movers to pack, deliver and unpack your belongings. You should engage senior moving companies as they specialize in organizing moves for older adults. Be sure to read up about the company and look out for any warning signs that could indicate that they are unreliable.
Plan Your Layout
Plan ahead where to place your furniture and store your belongings. You can get the floor plan of your new home to help you better visualize your arrangement. By planning your furniture layout in advance, you can have the movers put the items in your desired location and save you the effort of shifting them again on your own in the future.