Rita Wilkins's Blog, page 33
September 30, 2022
Easy Ways To Learn About Decluttering
Are you intrigued by minimalist designs? Do you wish you could have a minimalist design in your home, but don’t know where to start? Do you want to live a more minimalist lifestyle? The trick to being able to live a more minimalist lifestyle is knowing how to declutter. Getting rid of unwanted, unnecessary clutter will allow you to incorporate minimalist design more effectively into your home.
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, also known as the Downsizing Designer. After getting rid of 90% of what I once owned, I discovered that living a clutter-free life gave me more time, money, and freedom to live as I pleased. Now, I can help you accomplish this too by teaching you about decluttering and minimalism.
Easy Ways to Learn About Decluttering And MinimalismDo you ever wish there were easy minimalist checklists that could help you start your decluttering journey? Do you want a workbook to help you learn more about decluttering? Good news! I offer all those things and more. Try any of the following to help you learn more about minimalism and decluttering.
Decluttering checklists – An easy introduction to decluttering for anyone. Decluttering workbooks – Offer more information about how to declutter your home. Decluttering course – Teaches you 8 different proven decluttering methods. A decluttering book – My book, Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom, shows you how you can improve your life through decluttering. This book is available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design and Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.
The post Easy Ways To Learn About Decluttering first appeared on Design Services LTD.
September 23, 2022
Quick Minimalism Tips To Declutter Your Home
You don’t have to live with the unwanted clutter in your home. You can declutter your home and live with more time, money, and freedom to do as you please! How? With my help! Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins – and many know me as the Downsizing Designer.
Once, there was too much clutter in my life. To overcome this, I got rid of 90% of what I once owned. Without that clutter, I have more time, money, and freedom to live the life I want to live – and now you can too! I’m here to teach you easy minimalism tips to live a decluttered life.
You Can Quickly Learn How to Declutter Your HomeDo you want an easy minimalist checklist to teach you about decluttering? My decluttering checklists are a great introduction for people who are decluttering their homes for the first time!
The first decluttering checklist I have to offer is my Home Decluttering Quick Start Checklist. This will get you started on your decluttering journey in no time!
Next, consider trying my What Is Your Right Size Home Checklist. Decluttering isn’t just getting rid of things you don’t need – sometimes you have space you don’t need as well! This checklist will help you figure out what size home is right for you.
Don’t wait – try these easy minimalist checklists today and declutter your home!
Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design and Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.
The post Quick Minimalism Tips To Declutter Your Home first appeared on Design Services LTD.September 20, 2022
Top 5 Tips to Stay Focused When Decluttering for Retirement
The Downsizing Designer
For many of you baby boomers in your 50s and 60s, you’re thinking about retirement…
A life after careerA life filled with more fun and less stressA smaller home with less work and less expenseWhen you look around your home at all of the stuff you’ve accumulated over many years you say to yourself…
“I’ve got a lot of work to do!”
“How and where do you start decluttering so you can downsize and have a simpler life like a minimalist?”
These top 5 tips will help you stay focused as you begin your decluttering journey in anticipation of retirement, that simpler life with less stuff, more time, energy, and freedom to do other things you’ve been wanting to do for a long time.
For many who are just starting the decluttering process, it’s easy to get overwhelmed because of the scope of work ahead of you.
Often you might start in one area, move on to another area and then to another without completing anything. So, you’re distracted, you lose focus, you get frustrated and want to give up because it seems impossible!
Don’t give up! Get motivated!
Use these 5 tips to stay laser-focused so you can accomplish your goal of decluttering for retirement 1. Have a clear vision for why you want to downsize and declutter
Examples:
New lifestyle, more fun, and freedomMove close to kids and grandkids to be able to enjoy them as they growTravel, see the world, have many new experiencesHaving a clear vision for the life you want to live in retirement will help you keep motivated when you get emotional, discouraged and want to give up.
Use your vision to remind you that it’s worth the effort now she can enjoy a simpler life later.
Keeping a positive attitude about the decluttering process will help you stay focused on what’s most important you know and over the next 5 to 10 years.
2. Decluttering is emotional: feel your feelings
Accept the fact that you’re overwhelmed, frustrated, and maybe even exhausted. Decluttering and downsizing are both physical and emotional.
As you are going through boxes you haven’t seen in years likely you will get emotional and perhaps even shed a few tears.
Allow yourself to feel those emotionsRecall those memories both good and badTake time to sort through what you were feeling and why. I.e., death of a spouse, kids leaving home are likely to bring out sadnessTry to release that emotion and let go of the stuff that generated that emotion. Take care of yourself during the process both physically and mentally.
3. Create a plan and a timeline
Commit to following your plan and your timeline.
Develop a whole house plan that includes the following:
A map of every room in your houseWhere you will startHow you will move through the house room by room, shelf by shelf, closet by closet until completionYour plan serves as your roadmap.
Your timeline helps to provide discipline and focus because it reminds you that this big project is possible and doable if taken in steps, when broken down into bite-size pieces.
Have a schedule and a timeline that is realistic for your lifestyle, one you can commit to
Example:
5 days a week 30 minutes 8-8:30 amWeekends: 2 hours Saturday and Sunday, 8-10 amPut it on your calendar.Mark off completed days, times, and areas.You will start to see progress and that will motivate you to continue in the next area.
Who doesn’t work better under deadlines?
Invite family or friends for a weekend. That will motivate you to declutter the guestroom. This sense of urgency speeds up the progress and inspires you to complete by a given date.
You can also use this tip to inspire and motivate your adult children to remove their stuff from your home.
5. Create a “new normal” for yourself, a new standard for a clutter-free zone
Once you’ve decluttered a particular room, declare it a clutter-free area from now on.
Raise your standards stating that clutter is no longer acceptable in this area.
You’ll be surprised at how well this method works. Eventually, you can declare your whole house clutter-free so that when you’re ready to downsize and retire much of the heavy lifting is already done.
A quick story to inspire you on your decluttering journey:
A few months ago, I started working with a new client on a whole house decluttering project.
Before we started, I sent her a detailed questionnaire about her decluttering success to date, what she had tried, why she wanted to declutter, etc.
After she completed that questionnaire, together, we created a room-by-room plan where we disposed, donated, or kept items throughout each area.
For 7 weeks, I worked side-by-side with her for two-hour sessions each week.
At the end of the project, she was elated. She said that prior to starting decluttering together, she had no confidence in succeeding.
After we finished, she said she felt empowered, very capable, and disciplined.
She said, “if I can do it, anyone can!”
I do hope these tips help you cross the finish line too so that you can start enjoying your simpler less cluttered life!
Did you know that we have products on our online shop that can help you get started on your downsizing and decluttering journey?
September 16, 2022
Learn About Minimalism At Your Own Pace
If you’re interested in a minimalist lifestyle and minimalist design but have no idea how to start making use of minimalist ideas if your life, you’re not alone. To live a minimalist lifestyle, you will likely need to declutter your home, which can be a difficult task if you’ve never decluttered before. That’s why I am eager to help people like you! Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, also known as the Downsizing Designer. Let me teach you about minimalism and decluttering.
Learn About Minimalism at Your Own PaceEveryone has different learning styles, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach to learning about minimalism and decluttering. That is why I have developed a wide range of decluttering tips, decluttering checklists, and other decluttering materials to help you learn more about minimalism and decluttering.
Try My Decluttering ChecklistsDo you want a simple starting place? Would you like a quick introduction to the ideas behind decluttering and minimalism? Then you should try my decluttering checklists.
Try My Decluttering WorkbooksMy decluttering workbooks offer a more in-depth lesson about decluttering and minimalism. If you need more detailed information to feel secure in starting your own decluttering journey, these workbooks are the right choice for you.
Try My Proven Decluttering CourseIf you really want to gain a more in-depth knowledge about minimalism and decluttering, you can opt for my decluttering course. This course will teach you 8 proven methods to start decluttering your home.
Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design and Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.
The post Learn About Minimalism At Your Own Pace first appeared on Design Services LTD.September 14, 2022
What To Do When Your Kids Leave Home But Their Stuff Stays?
The Downsizing Designer
For those of you who are decluttering, getting ready to downsize, or age-in-place, are you wondering how to get your adult kids to remove their stuff that might be sitting in their childhood bedrooms, your attic, garage, or basement?
This is a real problem and an emotional one for many baby boomers in their 60s who are trying to declutter, downsize, and live a simpler life with less.
You might just want to reclaim your space so you can convert the extra unused bedroom to a guestroom or home office.You might just want to declutter that space because it’s causing frustration and upset every time you walk by that room.You might just want your adult child now living on their own to finally take responsibility for their own stuff and remove it from your house.After all, you’re tired of having them use your home as your own personal storage unit!
Of course, there are extenuating circumstances in that you might allow them to continue to store their stuff in your home for a period of time.
For me, my younger son stored his stuff in my basement for several years while he was in the Marine Corps and then in the Peace Corps. It was my way of supporting him while he was serving our country and then serving people in Senegal West Africa.
But when he returned home, I was already starting to declutter because I decided to downsize, so no matter what, he needed to sort through all of his stuff from high school and college and deal with his stuff in whatever way he chose.
In some ways, this was an easy way to address the issue of clearing my basement of my adult child’s stuff. He had no choice. I was downsizing. I was moving to a smaller apartment.
Other extenuating circumstances might be that your older child lives in a tiny apartment and is waiting to get a bigger apartment or save for their first home. And of course, during Covid, many adult children lost their jobs and moved back home.
Bottom line:
There comes a time when…
It’s time for our adult children to officially move out of our homes, to remove their belongings they left behind when they went off to college or begin their careers.It’s time for them to stop feeling it’s “okay” to store their college textbooks, high school yearbooks, clothing, trophies, and memorabilia in their childhood home.It’s NOT “okay” for them to assume they can continue to store their stuff in your basement, your attic, your garage, or your bedroom in perpetuity.Perhaps you’ve broached the subject many times before but to no avail.
Perhaps you’re afraid that you will alienate your adult child.
Perhaps you’re wondering if they will ever really get just how much their stuff is impacting your life because you are ready to start over.
As many of you know, this subject can be a sensitive issue with your adult child… you know, that “elephant in the room!”
But it doesn’t have to be!
Here are 3 different ways for what you can do when your kids leave home but their stuff doesn’t:1. Engage them. Ask for their assistance and cooperation. Give them a deadline.This is my personal favorite!
Tell them you are preparing your home for downsizing and moving to a smaller home.Tell them you want and need to declutter for aging in place.Tell them you want to live a simpler less cluttered life so you have more time and freedom to enjoy your life, pursue other interests, and travel more… and not be bogged down by clutter both yours and theirs!Tell them you want to free up space in their childhood bedroom or basement to create a new home office, an additional guestroom, or a yoga or workout area.Bottom line:
You need the space.
You are requesting their help in dealing with their own stuff
When I decided to downsize, I approached both of my sons and asked them if they would help me by sorting through their stuff in my garage, my basement, and their bedrooms. I asked them if they would remove it from my house by a designated date.
This worked well for me. No drama, just cooperation because I was clear about what needed to happen and by when.
Take time to sort through their items, and create three piles: dispose of, donate, and keep. Box up the “keep” items and distribute their stuff by one of these three methods:
The drip method:Each time they visit your home or you visit them, bring a box or a few boxes. Little by little the boxes will disappear from your home.
The pickup method:Request that they pick up the saved boxes by a specified date. If they don’t do so, let them know that you will have to donate or dispose of them.
The special delivery method:If they resist and don’t respond to your request to pick them up, deliver the boxes directly to them yourself or by a carrier.
3. Get their buy-in if they live out of the area by taking pictures As you sort through their items, take pictures of those things you think they will want to keep. Ask that they respond by a certain date, i.e., within two days.Box up the “keep” items. Either mail them to them or if there is too much stuff, at their expense rent a storage unit until such time they can deal with the stuff in person.
Each of these three methods works if you are seeking a minimalist lifestyle.
They do however require…
Strength on your part to have the difficult and emotional conversation and address the issue head-on.Determination and persistence to follow through, not take no for an answer so you can actually make it happen.Tough love, standing your ground while loving them in spite of their obstinance or resistance.But when all is said and done, if handled well, you will not only reclaim your home as your own, but you will also gain a newfound respect from your kids for setting and keeping boundaries.
I do hope that those of you who are struggling with how to prevent your adult kids from using your home as their own personal storage unit… that you find these methods useful.
Let me know how it goes and if you have other methods that you’ve used, I’d love to hear from you!
Did you know that we have products on our online shop that can help you get started on your downsizing and decluttering journey?
September 9, 2022
Minimalism And Decluttering
Are you interested in living a minimalist lifestyle? Do you want to try minimalist design in your home? Do you look around and find that you have far too much cluttering your home to try minimalist design as things are now? Don’t worry – I can teach you how to declutter your home today!
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, the Downsizing Designer. I know what it’s like to be frustrated with clutter because I, too, once had too much clutter in my life. Then I got rid of 90% of what I once owned. I became freer to live my life as I chose – and now I help others do the same thing!
Start Learning About Minimalism TodayYou don’t have to figure out decluttering and minimalism all on your own. I’m here to help. I can teach you minimalist tips for decluttering that will help you turn your house into the comfortable home you want it to be. Just choose the level of learning you want to try!
For a quick and easy introduction to minimalism and decluttering, try my decluttering checklists.
Or, you can study minimalism more deeply when you opt for my decluttering workbooks.
Finally, if you’d like a chance to really study minimalism and decluttering, you can try my proven decluttering course.
Learn More About Downsizing And Decluttering From My BookOf course, if you’d like to learn even more about decluttering and how it can change your life, I also recommend my book, Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom. Not only is it available in paperback, but you can also get it as an audiobook and on Kindle too!
Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.
The post Minimalism And Decluttering first appeared on Design Services LTD.September 6, 2022
3 Best Ways to Cure Clutter Creep and Chaos
The Downsizing Designer
Have you ever listened to what your clutter is trying to tell you?
You know… that clutter that’s everywhere!
Your kitchen counter, your dining room table, your bathroom countertops.Every time you think you’ve cleaned it off and decluttered, it sneaks back in to haunt you!
All of that work you did to declutter your cabinets and closets, and in what seems like no time at all, the clutter creeps back in and undoes all of your decluttering efforts.
And over a period of time, it seems like you’re right back to where you started! It’s so frustrating because you know you’re trying.
So how does this happen?
How does clutter creep back into areas you decluttered and were so proud of how they looked?
If this happened to you, if you are struggling with clutter creep and the chaos that it is causing in your household, by the time you finish reading this blog, you will have some new tools tips and habits that will help you cure clutter creep once and for all.
First of all, know that it’s normal to have some clutter finding its way into your home, onto the countertops and into your drawers and closets. You’re busy. You don’t necessarily take time each day to put things back where they belong.
And then, over the course of a week or a few weeks, it looks like you never decluttered in the first place.
And then there are those moments when you have guests coming and rather than taking the time to put everything back where it belongs, you shove it into a closet or drawer. Out of sight out of mind. The cycle never seems to end!
You get stressed, you feel anxious, and overwhelmed with all the clutter… Again!
But I want you to remember that peace of mind and calm you had when you previously decluttered. You were happier, more peaceful, and content. That can happen again.
The secret to curing clutter creep and chaos is to establish everyday habits and routines that help you stay on top of it, preventing clutter from overtaking you ever again.
That way you don’t allow clutter to build up and you don’t have to start all over again.
It’s about prevention and commitment to maintaining a clutter-free environment.
If you want it badly enough, if you’re willing to commit to little habits and routines every day, you can rest assured that you can have and keep that peaceful clutter free home once and for all.
3 Best Ways to Combat and Cure Clutter Creep… and the Ensuing Chaos It Creates1. 3 C’s: Commitment, Consistency, ConfidenceCOMMITMENT
Commit to having a clutter-free home. No excuses. If you want it badly enough if you are so tired of clutter everywhere you look, commit to a clutter-free home and a clutter-free life. Focus your efforts. Be intentional every single day.
CONSISTENCY
Be consistent. Have a plan for maintaining your home daily 15 to 20 minutes in the morning, 15 to 20 minutes in the evening to pick up clothes, do the dishes, sort the mail, etc.
Consistency is key to developing new habits and routines that will lead to success
CONFIDENCEBelieve it’s possible to live a clutter-free life in a clutter-free home.
Believe in yourself, that you can make it happen.
Let go of old habits that contributed to clutter in the first place:
Procrastination (do it later, do it another day)Excuses (why you can’t declutter today, why you don’t have time)Moving stuff from one place to the other (this is not decluttering. It will get you nowhere)2. Have a home for everything
Know where everything goes.
Have a home for mail, paperwork, hobby items, and project files. That way you will always know where to find them when you need them.
3. Don’t put it down, put it away
Train yourself to put things away where it belongs every single time.
Watch out for those piles of clothes, workout gear, mail, etc.
Discipline yourself to not let things accumulate.
If you want to cure clutter creep and chaos, follow these simple guidelines and remember… Don’t put it down, put it away!Did you know that we have products on our online shop that can help you get started on your downsizing and decluttering journey?
September 2, 2022
Do You Need Minimalist Ideas For Your Home?
If you’re sick of living with clutter and you’re ready to try to live a minimalist lifestyle, I’m here to help you! Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins. To many, I’m also known as the Downsizing Designer. Like you, I once had too much clutter in my life. After getting rid of 90% of what I once owned, I now have more time, money, and freedom to live the life I want to live. As the Downsizing Designer, I’m here to help you accomplish the same.
You Can Choose A Minimalist Lifestyle For YourselfIf you’re interested in a minimalist lifestyle and minimalist design, the first step is to get rid of all the clutter. How can you do that, though? How do you start decluttering? If this is your first decluttering journey, you may find yourself at a loss.
Try These Minimalist Tips For DeclutteringYou don’t have to figure out how to declutter all on your own. In fact, I’ve made a series of minimalist checklists, workbooks, and courses to help teach you the ins and outs of decluttering.
Choose The Decluttering Methods That Are Right For YouWhat works for one person on their decluttering journey may not work for another – including when it comes to getting started decluttering. That’s why I offer different ways to learn about minimalism and decluttering.
For example, my decluttering checklists serve as a great starter for someone who wants a quick and easy read to get them started. Need to go a little more into detail in order to learn how to declutter? If so, you should start with my decluttering workbooks. Or perhaps you’d do best if someone went really in-depth as they taught you about decluttering? In my proven decluttering course, I do just that!
Don’t wait – get started decluttering today!
Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on Kindle! Get your copy soon.
The post Do You Need Minimalist Ideas For Your Home? first appeared on Design Services LTD.August 30, 2022
How to Emotionally Let Go of Sentimental Clutter
The Downsizing Designer
Do you hold onto things that are sentimental to you because you are afraid if you let go of them, you will lose the memories associated with them?
Several years ago, after our mom and dad passed away, my siblings and I were cleaning out their home… The home we spent many happy times together.
When it came to the large amount of china, crystal, and silver, none of my siblings wanted it because they didn’t entertain formally as I did… Nor did they have the big house to store it all in like I did at the time. I was thrilled because I knew I would use it and that would help keep their memory alive.
So, I took all of it!
All 16 place settings of china, crystal, and silver.
The large silver trays, serving pieces, and candlesticks.The huge crystal punch bowl and crystal cups that served as eggnog every Christmas.Fast forward: I was selling my big house and downsizing from 5000 ft.² to 867 ft.². I had no room for it.
I was emotionally attached to the beautiful things mom and dad treasured and used, but now I had to let go.
Thanks to the wisdom of my sister-in-law, Karen, she knew how much it meant to me and she knew I would use it so she recommended I keep four place settings of each… which is exactly what I did and I let go of the rest by distributing it in small chunks to family and friends who would then use it
Why do I tell you this story?
Because letting go of something you are emotionally attached to is painful. But if you were trying to downsize and declutter you have to make decisions that might be painful, but they’re also practical.
So, whether it’s china that was your mother’s, photographs of your kids growing up, souvenirs from various travels, baby clothing, or clothing of a deceased loved one…
All of these things bring back memories, both good and bad…
A time in your lifeSpecial people in your lifeAn event in your life.They are sentimental and you are attached to them… So how do you let go?
First, let’s define sentimental clutter. It will be different for each and every person. As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.
Bottom line: Sentimental clutter is everything you hold onto, things you keep in your drawers, attic, or basement even if you no longer need them want them or if they serve a purpose.
We are attached, we tell ourselves we can’t possibly get rid of them! Even if they just take up space in our homes. Think about your grown kids’ bedrooms: the high school trophies, teddy bears, plaques, and awards.
Often, it’s our way of holding on to someone, I loved one who is no longer with us. It’s our way of honoring their memory and people we cherish.
B. GuiltAnother reason we hold onto things is guilt. If someone has given you a gift you might feel guilty about giving it away. Think wedding gifts, birthday gifts, holiday gifts that’s it in your basement.
C. ObligationA third reason we hold on is we feel obligated. Think about family heirlooms that have been passed down from our parents and grandparents. We may not want and need it or ever use it but we keep it because we feel our obliged to honor them
How do you decide what you keep & what you let go of?First reminder, so that your deceased loved ones are no longer with you. Their memory lives on in your heart not in that object.
Faced with a house full an attic full and a basement full of sentimental clutter here’s how you can decide what stays and what goes:
1. Try this exercisePick one small area of your home that you want to remove sentimental clutterPick one cabinet, one shelf, and one drawer.Of the 10 items that might be on that shelf, pick only two that are meaningful. Let go of the rest.Next shelf: two itemsNext shelf: two itemsRather quickly you will discover that you’ve gotten rid of 80% of the sentimental clutter in that area.
2. Set a goal for what you want to accomplish in the room and in that areaOne shelf, one drawer, one closet at a time.A warning: there will be emotional triggers with some of the pieces you come across.
I was triggered over our dad’s Timex alarm clock because I could hear him winding it each evening so he can get up early and provide for our family. That clock made me cry.
But my sister aptly reminded me that it wasn’t the clock, it was the memory that I will always have with me.
I took a picture of the clock and wrote a story about it so that one day my kids and grandkids will understand what that clock meant to me.
3. The main focusIn spite of emotional triggers, set a timer, and limit the amount of time you spend decluttering sentimental items because it’s emotionally exhausting.
4. If you are struggling, ask for helpHave a friend and a family member be there for you. Let them love you, support you and also keep you on track.
This is especially true when going through items from a deceased loved one. Everything you touch brings back memories.
But remember, if you want to downsize and declutter your sentimental items you have to make those hard and painful decisions. Over time it does get easier as you develop a decluttering mindset and decluttering muscle memory.
When trying to decide what stays and what goes, remember to ask yourself these 3 questions:1. Does make me happy? Does it bring back good memories?If not, it should be disposed of i.e., wedding albums from a previous marriage.2. Will you use it? Will it serve a purpose in your home and in your life?If you can display it or use it you keep their memory alive. I.e., my mother’s china, silver, and crystal.3. Are you keeping it because you think you should?Remember to ask yourself if you’re feeling guilty and that’s why you’re keeping it or ask yourself if you’re feeling obligated.Remember it’s perfectly normal to want to hold onto your sentimental items, but when everything is sentimental and when you have so much of it becomes a huge burden, creating overwhelm, anxiety, and total frustration.
It’s time to make the decision to just let it go.
Keep only those few very meaningful items that you will use or display to keep the memory alive. It serves no purpose to keep them in boxes in your basement or attic. Those burdens take up space in your house, in your heart, and in your mind.
For your own sake and the sake of your loved ones just let it go!
Did you know that we have products on our online shop that can help you get started on your downsizing and decluttering journey?
August 26, 2022
Looking For Minimalist Organization Tips?
Does the clutter in your home leave you feeling overwhelmed and stressed? Do you want to organize your home, but aren’t sure how you should start the decluttering process? Do you find you’re not even sure how to declutter your home at all? Don’t worry – you’re not the first to feel lost on your decluttering journey. You can learn how to declutter your home and lead a more minimalist lifestyle.
Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins. I’m also known as the Downsizing Designer. I once had a home that was too cluttered, but then I got rid of 90% of what I once owned. Now, I find I have more time, money, and freedom to live life how I want to live it. I’d like to help you do the same.
Minimalist Organization Tips Help You Declutter Your HomeI’m eager to help you get started on your decluttering journey. You can get rid of unwanted clutter and incorporate the minimalist design you’ve always wanted your home to have! Just follow the minimalize organization tips and decluttering tips I offer in the checklists, workbooks, and courses I offer.
Decluttering ChecklistsMy decluttering checklists are a great place to start for those who want a quick introduction to decluttering and minimalism.
Decluttering WorkbooksIf you’d like a more detailed guide to teach you minimalism tips, you can try my decluttering workbooks.
Proven Decluttering CourseIf you’re deeply committed to learning about minimalism and decluttering, I encourage you to try my decluttering course.
Choose the level of instruction that is right for you and learn minimalist tips and ideas today!
Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design ServicesDo you want to learn more about downsizing and decluttering? Call Design Services LTD at 302-475-5663 to discuss your design needs. You can also connect with me by following me on Facebook and LinkedIn. Would you like complimentary advice from the downsizing designer? You can schedule a complimentary 30-minute call with me today. My book Downsize Your Life, Upgrade Your Lifestyle: Secrets to More Time, Money, and Freedom is now available in paperback, audio, and on kindle! Get your copy soon.
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