Rita Wilkins's Blog, page 37

A Home Decluttering Checklist Guaranteed to Get You Unstuck

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer Do you feel that you are losing the battle with clutter in your home? Does it feel like it’s never-ending, one step forward, two steps back? Are you literally at your wit’s end, not knowing where to begin decluttering or how to get started?

I’m glad you’re reading this blog because I’m going to introduce you to something I just created and released:

A Home Decluttering Checklist: The Quick Start Guide

It will show you:

Where to begin so you feel instant relief in an area of your home that bothers you the most.How to get started so you can experience the impact of less clutter and what that feels like.

Once you take these 2 steps, you’ll gain momentum and want to move into the next area that also bothers you.

 

Let’s get started:1.   Think of the one area in your home that bothers you the most.It could be your home office because you can’t find anything when you need it and you can’t concentrate because it’s so cluttered.It could be your kitchen cabinets because you can never find the correct lids to those plastic containers or you have so many mugs that you don’t have room for your dishes.And it could be your bedroom closet because you can’t find clothes that fit or look good because it’s filled with things you never wear.Or it could be your car, your hobby room, your medicine cabinet, or your pantry.

Write down the one area that bothers you the most and why it bothers you.

 

2.   Visualize what that area will look like once you have decluttered.How will it make you feel? How it will it make your life simpler, easier

For example:

After decluttering your home office, it’s so organized that you love working there. It’s peaceful and productive because you disposed of so many unnecessary items.After decluttering your kitchen, you reduced the number of items in your cabinets significantly so now you can find anything you want more readily and you’ve disposed of anything that was chipped or broken.After decluttering your closet everything fits, it looks good on you and you’ve kept only those things that you love. You donated or just post of trash.

Some people recommend that you start decluttering process in the easiest area of your home. I disagree. I recommend that you start with the area that bothers you the most because you’ll feel relieved and empowered to go on to the next area that also bothers you.

You are driven to declutter that area because it causes you the most angst and overwhelm. Once you experience what less clutter feels like and how it impacts your life, you’ll be much more motivated to keep going and expand the decluttering process.

 

Getting started:

Once you’ve selected the area that bothers you the most, take before pictures of that area.

Example: Your Master Bedroom Closet

Remove everything from the closet.Try each item on.Create three separate piles:Remove: If they don’t fit, they don’t look good and you never wear them or they’re out of date, donate, sell, consign, or dispose of.While decluttering, remember the goal is to remove things that you no longer want need or use so you can make your life simpler and easier.Relocate: If it doesn’t belong there, put it where it does belong. For example, out of season clothes, luggage, etc.Remains: If it fits, looks good, if it’s in season, keep it. Put it back in the closet in an organized manner.Take after pictures as a reminder of how far you’ve come. Complete your closet and celebrate your big accomplishment. What does it feel like? How does it impact your life?

Suddenly you can find what you want when you want it, you’re not wasting money on duplicating things that you already have, so you’re saving money. What else?

What you will discover after you’ve done one area, the next and then the next is that decluttering is life-changing.

By reducing the number of items, you own you’re gaining more time, money, freedom, and energy. You’re making room for the life you really want.

No more shoving things in drawers, in closets, or down to the basement. When you declutter, there is a fundamental shift in the way you feel about your home and about yourself.

It’s empowering because your home functions better, things are easier to find, you spend less time looking for things and your home feels peaceful, calmer, and cleaner.

Decluttering is like any other good habit though. You have to keep practicing it so clutter doesn’t reoccur.

As you declutter keep your goals in mind.

Why you wanted to declutter in the first place:

You’re downsizing and will have less space.You want your home to be your sanctuary, not your storage unit.You want a simpler less, cluttered more peaceful life.

When you live with less you live more.

Check out my just-released Home Decluttering Checklist. You’ll be glad you did!

Check out our new online shop for tools that will support you in your downsizing and decluttering journey. Follow me on social media for more updates:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | TWITTER

The post A Home Decluttering Checklist Guaranteed to Get You Unstuck first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Family Photos: 5 Ruthless Decluttering Tips

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

Family photos. We all have them, hundreds if not thousands of family photos stored in boxes, bins, in our attics, closets, and basements.

Photos filled with memories of family, friends, vacations, special moments, and events in our lives.

Memories of love, loss, joy, pain at all the different stages and transitions in our lives:

Your first loveCourtshipMarriage/DivorceFirst child, Second child, GrandchildrenDeath of loved ones

All part of our history, our story. The photos are links to our past, both good and bad.

People tell me all of the time, “I can’t stand the thought of getting rid of my photos.”

They put it off for another day, another year until years pass by. Kids are now grown and you want to downsize and declutter.

But you’re stuck!

I just can’t face letting go of my photos, I don’t know how to do this. Please help me!

I have a question for you.

How many boxes of photos do you have in your basement, your attic, or your closets? Have you ever counted?How much longer are you going to let them sit there before you actually begin to deal with them? 

In this blog, I’m going to share 5 tips on how to ruthlessly declutter your boxes and boxes of photos so you can take back control of all of those photos once and for all… All of those boxes and bins that have been sitting unopened for years.

You will now have the tools to open those boxes and deal with them one on one so you can continue on your journey to downsize, declutter, and simplify your life and… move on without the least amount of guilt or regret.

On a scale of 1 to 10, decluttering photos ranks right up there with the most challenging things to declutter which is why you’ve put it off for this long.

 

3 Reasons Why We Procrastinate with Decluttering and Getting Rid of Family Photos:1.   Sheer volume of the task

It’s such an overwhelming job to sort through all of the photos, frames, and photo albums that we have collected ourselves or that we have inherited from our parents and loved ones.

2. Amount of time it will likely take

To go through each photo, sort, categorize, and organize the ones you want and don’t want. It could take weeks or even months once you get started.

3. Facing the range of emotions your photos will likely trigger

As you sort through your photos, you will likely experience a whole gamut of emotions ranging from happiness, sadness, anger, guilt, fear and even shame.

There’s no doubt that you will be confronted at some point during the process …which is why I want to share these 5 tips on how to ruthlessly declutter your photos.

Get your Free Downloadable PDF, click here.

 

5 Ruthless Decluttering Tips for Photos1.   Know what it is that you want to accomplish… and whyIs it your goal to declutter so you can downsize and live a simpler, less cluttered life?Is it your goal to declutter your photos now so your loved ones won’t have to do it when you’re gone?Is your goal to consolidate from 10 boxes to 5 boxes so that your photos are easier to find?

Whatever your goal, be clear about why you declutter.

Think of it this way: If you had a fire in your home what few photos would you want to take with you? You couldn’t possibly take all of the boxes so what pictures do you treasure the most?

This mindset will help you ruthlessly pare down your photos as you move through the process.

Your photos tell your life story of what matters most to you,

What is it that you want to remember?

What is it that you want to be remembered by?

Then you can pair down to your 100/50/10 top photos.

 

2.  Gather and get organized before you get startedSelect a particular room or area of your home that can be dedicated exclusively to the photo decluttering project for an extended period of time. Select a room that you can close off and not have to pick up and pack up every single time.

Example: A back study or a guest room

Gather every single box, plastic container, or any photos that you have around your house including picture frames and photo albums. Use a large table where you can spread out, sort, and organize.Commit to a schedule and a timeline.Example: 1 to 2 hours a week. It can be more or less than that but commit to the schedule that you create. You will then begin to see weekly progress.

 

3.  Develop a system that works for youSort your photos by major categories by a certain time of your lifeby decadesby people on your lifeby events, or by meaningful experiences in your lifeDeclutter and discard photosthat are poor qualityduplicates or similar photosunflattering photossceneryphotos that have bad memoriesCreate a miscellaneous pilePhotos that you are not certain what to do with yet4.   Decide to decideWe get stuck when we are indecisive. Manage your emotions and pace yourself.Now you are taking on this project, it’s time to make decisions.Remind yourself of what you want to accomplish.Get tough on yourself and just make decisions.

Because this will be emotional, pace yourself. Set a timer for 1 or 2 hours. If you are no longer making progress stop and pick the project up at a later time.

 

5.  Edit, Edit, Edit… question everything

Not every moment is special and not every moment needs to be saved.

After you have sorted, organized, and edited the photos, go back and edit again and then again. Going back to the analogy if your house was on fire, what photos would you take?

This is a process and I will tell you that it does get easier over time.

It takes practice to go through all of these photos and discard years of memories but I assure you it will be worth it.

Check out our new online shop for tools that will support you in your downsizing and decluttering journey. Follow me on social media for more updates:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | TWITTER

The post Family Photos: 5 Ruthless Decluttering Tips first appeared on Design Services LTD.

How To Declutter Your Home

Are You Tired Of Living With Clutter In Your Home? 

Having a cluttered, disorganized home can have a real negative impact on your mental health. Clutter can be stressful, and too much stress is bad for you. Your home shouldn’t be a factor that causes stress. You should feel comfortable and at ease in your home. That said, decluttering your home can seem like an impossible task, especially if you’ve never done it before. You may find you don’t even know how to get started decluttering. 

Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins. After decluttering my life and getting rid of 95% of what I once owned, I realized something amazing. I had more money, more time, and more freedom to live my life however I wanted without clutter getting in the way. Now, I help others learn how to declutter their lives. 

Easy, Downloadable Decluttering Checklists 

The first obstacle is always getting started. That’s why I put together my Home Decluttering Checklist. My Home Decluttering Checklist can help you get started decluttering today! This decluttering checklist can help you 

Get a quick start on decluttering Teach you how to declutter your home room by room Get instant results 

Don’t leave the clutter lying around your home a moment longer. Get started on your decluttering journey and make your home yours again. Get your copy of the Home Decluttering Checklist today and learn how you declutter your entire home. 

Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design Services  

Do 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. 

The post How To Declutter Your Home  first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Wake It Up, Shake It Up Today!

Are You Tired Of Feeling Discontent With Your Life? 

Shaking feelings of discontentment can be difficult. You find you’re not satisfied with your life, that you miss the days when you felt on fire and motivated to do anything. However, you’re not sure how to shake off your discontentment. You don’t know where to start to make a change. 

Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins. Sometimes, getting started is the hardest step. As the Downsizing Designer, I’ve helped many people learn about downsizing and get started on decluttering. Now, I’m eager to help those who are looking to rediscover their purpose and declutter their thoughts. I’ve designed a digital downloadable course to help you do just this! It’s called Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life. 

How Can Wake It Up, Shake It Up help me? 

Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life comes with 6 videos and a 22-page workbook. The course is designed to help you rediscover your purpose, learn to dream big, declutter your thoughts, reimagine what is possible, and recharge your passion. You can live with the unstoppable feeling that purpose and drive give you every day with the help of Wake It Up, Shake It Up. 

Unlock your motivation Unleash your purpose Become unstoppable 

You want more for yourself and more from your life. You want to get back up. You want to find your motivation again. Don’t wait because the time is now. Download Wake It Up, Shake It Up today. 

Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design Services  

Do 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. 

The post Wake It Up, Shake It Up Today!  first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Do You Want To Declutter Your Thoughts?

Are You Tired Of Living With Cluttered Thoughts? 

We all know how stressful it can be to live with clutter in our homes. How much more stressful is it, though, to live with a cluttered mind? Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins, also known as the Downsizing Designer. I’ve known many people who wanted to get started decluttering their homes and I’ve offers my professional advice and services to help them. Now, I’d like to help you declutter not only your home but your thoughts as well. 

Reconnect With Your Passion, Reignite Your Life 

Too often, people feel disconnected and disengaged from their lives. You don’t have to settle for feelings of discontentment, though. Do you remember what it was like to be on fire? Do you remember when you felt motivated to do anything? What if you could get that unstoppable feeling every day in your life? 

Try Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life  

Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life is a digital download I’ve designed to help you find your passion and reignite your fire. When you find your purpose, you’ll be able to clear the clutter away from your mind. Wake It Up, Shake It Up can help you… 

Stop feeling disconnected, discontent, and disengaged from your own life. Stop feeling the emptiness of living a status quo life. Stop feeling stuck and overwhelmed by where to even begin. 

Don’t wait – the time is now! Get your copy of Wake It Up, Shake It Up today! 

Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design Services  

Do 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. 

 

The post Do You Want To Declutter Your Thoughts?  first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Kids And Clutter: Small Steps You Can Take to Stay Organized

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

If you have young kids or grandkids there’s probably nothing more beautiful than to watch them immersed in play. That’s how they learn, that’s how they develop and grow.

I would like you to keep those beautiful moments in mind as I share a few ideas with you about how to reduce the clutter kids can cause.

It’s only natural to talk about how frustrating it is when it seems that your house is being overtaken by kids’ clutter whether it be toys, books, art supplies, or clothing. But for the moment, I’m asking you to stand back and see what you can do about it, how you can solve it, rather than complaining about it and getting upset.

First: It’s Important to Set Realistic Expectations

If you have children or grandchildren around, likely your home will not be perfect.

The goal should be to create an organized space where your kids or grandkids can enjoy playing, reading, and creating, but they also know where their things belong so they can put them away to enjoy again at another time.

If we expect that process to be perfect, we’re missing the point.If we relax and let them enjoy playing, we have accomplished the first big step.

Second: Edit on A Regular Basis

Remove any toys that are broken, dirty, never played with, or that they’ve outgrown. Having fewer toys, books, games, and puzzles, they will be able to focus more on the ones they have in front of them and can enjoy them more.

Children grow so fast and their interests can change almost overnight.

It’s important to watch what they use and don’t use, like and don’t like so that you can edit the ones that are no longer played with.

This helps to keep clutter to a minimum while leading them to focus on what they are enjoying.

Get my Home Decluttering Checklist for only $ 4.99!

Third: Give Their Play Area (or Areas) A Makeover

Likely there are several areas in your home where they like to play (i.e., family room, their bedroom or your office.)

Identify the space within that room.Keep it contained.Set them up to succeed.

A simple bookcase, cabinet, or shelving with a few bins and baskets will help identify a proper home for each of the toys, books, puzzles, craft items. When they each have a home, when they are easy to see and easy to access, they will realize everything has a place.

Your home will look neater and organized and your kids or grandkids we’re not only know where the toys and books are when they want them, but they will also know where they are to be returned when they’re finished playing with them.

These simple organizational tools will teach them how to clean up after themselves. Just remember: It might be a little more difficult to remain decluttered when you have kids, but it is definitely possible.It’s up to us to set them up to succeed so they cannot only enjoy playtime, but you will enjoy watching them play even more!Check out our new online shop for tools that will support you in your downsizing and decluttering journey. Follow me on social media for more updates:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | TWITTER

The post Kids And Clutter: Small Steps You Can Take to Stay Organized first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Our Top 3 Decluttering Blog Posts of 2022

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

Decluttering your home is a very personal journey.

It’s challengingIt’s emotionalAnd even the smallest thing can quickly reduce you to tears

And it’s even more painful to admit how many times you might have tried various methods to declutter, but you got overwhelmed, frustrated, stuck, then you just gave up.

No one knows YOU as well as YOU do, so why use someone else’s decluttering method when you can create your own?

One that fits your personality, your lifestyle and your busy schedule?

 

A Decluttering Challenge for 2022

In one of my most successful blogs to date, you will learn how to design your own personal decluttering challenge… one that inspires you, motivates you, and empowers you to win at the difficult decluttering game once and for all.

 

Decluttering with Your Spouse

My second most popular blog in 2022, has been read by thousands of couples across the US and Canada. Decluttering is supercharged with emotions for a variety of reasons:

One wants to declutter, the other doesn’tOne is a hoarder, the other, the exact oppositeOne wants to declutter one way, the other side another way

One size definitely does not fit all, but when you follow my easy home decluttering checklist and when you determine which of my 8 decluttering methods works best for you…go for it!

You’ll be glad you did!

 

No Excuse Guide to Decluttering

When I introduced the No Excuse Decluttering Guide on Facebook live, there were hundreds of people showed up on that live stream. Because clutter is so overwhelming, we often procrastinate and choose not to deal with it at all, causing it to pile up even more. Clutter impacts our lives in so many different ways. When we allow it to build up, we get even more frustrated and overwhelmed. It becomes one vicious circle. Essentially, clutter is the result of many deferred decisions.

This no-excuse guide to decluttering will provide you with tools to make decisions that help you focus and deal with the clutter one step at a time.

 

Introducing Our Newest Decluttering Checklist

I would like to introduce one of my newest “just-released” toolkits, the QuickStart Home Decluttering Checklist which will make decluttering easier for you than ever before.

When decluttering seems like an impossible taskWhen you have no idea where to beginAnd when you don’t have any idea where to start

When you follow this new step-by-step Quick Start Home Decluttering Checklist, you will experience instant relief when you start to realize the impact of living with less clutter.

As you begin to take those baby steps, you’ll gain momentum and new energy to continue the decluttering process.

 

You can now shop online for these useful tools that will help you conquer clutter once and for all:A.   Downsizing and Decluttering for Boomers WorkbookB.   8 Proven Methods to Start Decluttering CourseC.   Home Decluttering Quick Start Checklist

 

The post Our Top 3 Decluttering Blog Posts of 2022 first appeared on Design Services LTD.

The Emotional Side of Downsizing and Decluttering in Your 60s

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

As many of you know, as a designer for over 38 years, I’ve helped clients upsize, downsize, declutter, and “right size” their homes.

Moving is a challenge no matter what your age or size of home, but there’s something different and unique when you choose to downsize and declutter in your 60s.

If you’re in your 60s, an empty nester, and getting ready for retirement, are you wondering why downsizing is so emotional?

In many ways, downsizing at this stage of your life seems like it should be an exciting new chapter… an opportunity to experience more time and freedom to pursue those things you’ve been putting off for many years.

One part of you really wants to downsize, live a simpler life with less because it just makes sense.

Your house that was once the perfect size for you and your growing family is now too big with too many unused rooms and it takes way too much time and effort to maintain it at this stage of your life.

And yet, the other part of you is second-guessing whether it’s the right move to make or not.

What if I don’t like it?

What if I miss the old house and neighborhood?

What if I have to downsize again in the future? 

Even if, you realize that your 60s is the perfect time to downsize because…

You’re still healthy and activeYou’re now an empty nesterYou’re planning to retire soon

You are still questioning whether you should downsize or not. You’re stuck.

You decide not to decide right now.

Before you defer your downsizing decision and perhaps wait until it’s too late, it’s important to understand how emotions might be preventing you from embracing the opportunity to experience a whole new chapter of your life.

It’s important to deal with your emotions before you start dealing with your stuff.

For those of you who know and follow me as the “Downsizing Designer”, you expect me to address all things related to downsizing and decluttering… both good and bad.

I’d like to address the emotional sides of downsizing in your 60s and I’m going to ask you to confront these emotions yourself because if you want to have a successful downsizing and decluttering journey…

You’ll have to dig deep so you can understand

why downsizing is so emotionalwhy it’s so different for manywhy you can’t decide if and when to downsize

 

Top 7 Reasons Why Downsizing Can Be So Emotional

 

1. It’s a reminder that you’re getting older

Ouch! That hurts! But it’s true. Letting go of the big house is a reminder that life is changing.

There was a time when you had a young family, you chose to upsize. You were in the building and accumulating stage of life.

At 60, it is the season of your life when you are beginning to face the fact that you are aging, no longer need the big house, and downsizing becomes more attractive. It’s not easy to face the fact that we have more years behind us then we have ahead of us.

How to deal with this emotion:Acknowledge you’re getting older. Be kind to yourself. Move On.

 

2.  It’s sad to leave your family homestead

It’s difficult to say goodbye to the place you raised your kids where many memories were made. It’s like leaving a part of you behind.

How to deal with this emotion:·       Accept that it’s time to move on to a simpler more manageable house.·       Embrace this special time of your life so you can make new memories in your new home.

Check out my NEW downloadable WORKBOOK, click here.

3. You’re concerned that downsizing is “downgrading”

There’s often a certain amount of embarrassment that goes with moving to a smaller home especially if many of your family and friends still have their big houses. What you will soon realize is that when you live with less, in a smaller home, you will have more time, freedom, and energy to enjoy your life more.

How to deal with this emotion:·       Reframe your thinking that downsizing to a smaller home will give you more time, energy, and freedom.·       Focus on what you’ll gain not what you will lose. It is a new adventure, a new life.

 

4. You’re feeling guilty

Sometimes our adult children try to make us feel guilty about selling the family home where they grew up. It’s not just the kids that makes you feel guilty, often times the guilt is self-inflicted because you have so much invested in your big family home.

How to deal with this emotion:·       You’re in control. It’s your life, your decision, not theirs.·       Focus on the new life that you’re creating in your new home rather than feeling guilty leaving your old home behind.

 

5. You’re afraid of change

Change is never easy. As a matter of fact, fear of change is normal, but fear can also make the downsizing process feel even more overwhelming and daunting.

How to deal with this emotion:·       Create a downsizing plan·       Break it into small more manageable chunks to make it less stressful

 

6. Your kids don’t want your stuff

That hurts. You’ve lovingly collected things over many years, you are absolutely certain your kids would love to have them when you are no longer here.

But they don’t!

How to deal with this emotion:·       Respect their decision. They do not accumulate possessions like we did. ·       They don’t want or need our stuff and move on.7. You’re concerned you will not be able to make your new home “your home”

You’ve worked hard over many years to make your house your home. You’re having difficulty believing that you can create that feeling again in your new smaller space.

Take it from me, you can and you will if you only take the things, you want, need, and love. Surrounding yourself with those special things will make your home feel like yours again.

How to deal with this emotion:·       Understand why you are experiencing those emotions.·       Make a conscious decision to move on so you can let go of the past and live fully into your new future.

 

These are just a few of the emotions you will feel when downsizing in your 60s.

Acknowledge your feelings because they’re real.

Remember… when downsizing in your 60s… first deal with your emotions, then deal with your stuff.Check out our new online shop for tools that will support you in your downsizing and decluttering journey. Follow me on social media for more updates:FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | TWITTER

The post The Emotional Side of Downsizing and Decluttering in Your 60s first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Do You Feel Disconnected And Disengaged?

How Can I Stop Feeling Disconnected And Disengaged From My Life? 

Do you feel discontent with your life? Do you miss the days when you felt motivated, when nothing could stop you? Are you overwhelmed by how disconnected and disengaged you feel? Do you wish you could make a change, but don’t know how you could? 

Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins. In my career as the Downsizing Designer, I’ve helped many who felt like they were stuck in their lives. I’m here now to tell you that you don’t have to stay stuck. You can seek the help you need to find the fire, passion, and purpose in your life once more. How? With the Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life digital download! 

What Is Wake It Up, Shake It Up? 

Wake It Up, Shake It Up: Reignite Your Life is a digital download that you can enjoy on any of your devices. It comes complete with 6 videos and a 22-page workbook to help you find your purpose and reignite your inner fire.  

How Can Wake It Up, Shake It Up Help Me? 

You don’t have to go through life feeling like you lack passion. You can tap into your fire every single day of your life with the help of Wake It Up, Shake It Up. This course is designed to help you: 

Rediscover your Purpose Learn to Dream Big Declutter your Thoughts Reimagine What is Possible Recharge your Passion 

Don’t wait – the time is now! Download Wake It Up, Shake It Up today! 

Rita Wilkins Offers Lifestyle Design And Interior Design Services  

Do 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. 

The post Do You Feel Disconnected And Disengaged?  first appeared on Design Services LTD.

Lose The Clutter but Not the Memories: How To Downsize Your Sentimental Clutter

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

If you are trying to downsize and declutter, are you challenged by having to let go of sentimental things?

If you are, you’re definitely not alone. By far, getting rid of things that are near and dear to our hearts can be one of the most difficult parts of your downsizing and decluttering journey.

I say “can be” because it doesn’t have to be as difficult as we tend to make it.

It’s actually possible to learn how to let go of sentimental clutter… the items themselves. Without losing the special memories we associate with them.

Does the thought of letting go of some of these things seem impossible?

Boxes of family photosYour mothers China, crystal or silverYour Dad‘s favorite gardening toolsYour kid’s collection of beanie babies

They are different for each of us, but those sentimental items trigger our emotions… both good and bad.

You might have already tried to let go of some of these things, but you felt overwhelmed sad or upset so you just stopped, saying “I just can’t!”

Or maybe…

You’ve chosen to ignore them all together because you aren’t ready yet to deal with them.

But if you are like many who have lost parents or loved ones and inherited a house full of stuff that is now sitting in your garage, basement or storage unit that you were paying for…

The question becomes:

If not now, when will you start the process of letting it go?

Wouldn’t it be great if…

You could feel empowered to deal with those sentimental things rather than feeling weighed down emotionally, letting them hinder your downsizing and decluttering process and prevent you from putting the past in the past so you can move on, free of clutter and relieved from the guilt?

 

Here’s what you can expect to learn when you follow this practical 5-step guide:Discover specific types of clutter that hold you backDetermine what you’ve made that sentimental clutter mean so you can understand why you are so attached to themLearn how to painlessly let go of sentimental items you’ve previously been unable to deal withDevelop practical habits for downsizing and decluttering those items so you can do it easier and faster, making consistent progress

Download your FREE printable guide now!Click Here!

 

5 Step Guide: Clear The Clutter but Not the Memories

 

Step 1: Identify the type of clutter that stops youThe 5 types of clutter:

 

1. Inherited Clutter:

Other people’s stuff that you are tasked to get rid of.

(i.e., China, Furniture, family photos)

 

2. Aspirational Clutter:

Your stuff that you have earned, collected or purchased that you continue to hold onto and perhaps still aspire to.

(i.e., trophies, awards, expensive clothing, cars, or furniture)

 

3. Attachment Clutter:

Stuff you have received or have been given that means a lot to you (or not) that reminds you of a person, special time or place in your life

(i.e., love letters, wedding albums, photos, souvenirs, keepsakes)

 

4. Bargain Clutter:

Your stuff you’ve purchased on sale because it was a good bargain

(i.e., hobby items, shoes, decorative accessories)

 

5. Abundance Clutter:

Your stuff that you bought in bulk, stockpiling it “just in case” you might need it in the future

(i.e., toilet paper, pantry items)

 

Which type of clutter is most difficult for you to let go of and why?

How is it impacting your life right now?

 

Step 2: Pick 1 item that you are most challenged by right now. Hold it in your hand.

Ask…

Why is it so important to you?

Why do you value it so much?

Why do you think it’s so hard to let go of?

 

Step 3: How does that item make you feel as you are holding it?

The memories and feelings can be positive or negative.

Acknowledge what you were feelingi.e., loved, angry, resentful, or connected to your loved oneWhat do you think you have made that item mean?i.e., if I let it go, I’ll lose the connection to my loved oneRead my recent article: Cure Your Love-Hate Relationship with Clutter This Spring

 

Step 4: What would it feel like if you were no longer attached to that item?What difference would it make in your life? i.e., freedom from guilt, resentment, or angerHow will it impact your future?i.e., I can finally let it go, give it to someone who needs it or wants it, bring joy to someone else

 

Step 5: Learn how to let goTake a photo of that item.Tell a story about why it means so much to you. Put it in a Shutterfly album.Choose 2 or 3 items from a collection, and donate the rest.Remind yourself that it’s just a thing, and understand you gave meaning to it. If you don’t want it, need it, use it, then let it go.Remind yourself that your loved one is no longer with you and that their memory lives in your mind and in your heart, not in that object.

 

Item by item, follow my 5-Step Guide.

Just know that this process does take time and is emotional, but it does get easier over time to make a decision to let it go.

Best wishes on your journey to let go of your sentimental items but not the memories.

You can  schedule a free 30-minute phone consultation with me if you have any questions regarding right-sizing, downsizing, and decluttering.Follow me on social media for more updates:

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The post Lose The Clutter but Not the Memories: How To Downsize Your Sentimental Clutter first appeared on Design Services LTD.