Rita Wilkins's Blog, page 42
December 2, 2021
How To Get Started
Is your home a mess of clutter? Do you find yourself longing to declutter your home, but find you don’t even know how to get started? Don’t worry – you’re not the first to find yourself in this position. I’m Rita Wilkins, also known as the Downsizing Designer. I once realized my life and my home had too much clutter, too. Then I decluttered, downsized, and got rid of 95% of what I once owned. Now, I live a happier life with more money, more time, and more freedom to do what I want – and I can help you accomplish the same!
My Decluttering Course Helps You Learn How To Start DeclutteringGetting started is often the hardest part – which is why I designed a course to make it easier for beginners to learn how to start decluttering their homes. My 8 Proven Methods To Start Decluttering course is designed to be easy to follow and quick to read. With this easy 1-page checklist to help you stay on task, you’ll be decluttering your home in no time!
What Will 8 Proven Methods To Start Decluttering Offer Me?Here’s what you’ll receive from this on-demand video course on decluttering:
Personal Guidance From A Professional – As someone who has gone through the decluttering and downsizing process myself and as someone who has helped countless others do the same, you can trust that I will give expert advice to help you start decluttering! 8 Methods Of Decluttering – You’ll learn 8 methods of decluttering, including the pros and cons of each, so you can decide what’s best for you! An Easy Checklist To Start Decluttering – 8 Proven Methods To Start Decluttering makes starting to declutter easy with an easy-to-follow checklist!Learn more when you sign up for the 8 Proven Methods To Start Decluttering course 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.
The post How To Get Started first appeared on Design Services LTD.
November 26, 2021
Simplifying Decluttering For Baby Boomers
Many baby boomers are finding themselves assessing the current state of their lives and homes, and finding it overwhelming. Do you have too much stuff? Is there too much space now that your children have moved away from home? Is maintaining your home becoming too difficult? My name is Rita Wilkins. I’m also known as the Downsizing Designer. I’m eager to help baby boomers create a simpler life through downsizing and decluttering.
How Do I Declutter My Life?Of course, some things are easier said than done. Even if you know you want to declutter your home, you may find yourself wondering how you can even accomplish that task. Where do you start? How do you decide what to keep and what not to keep?
Don’t worry. You don’t have to take this journey alone. You can seek help to learn easy methods to decluttering through my 8 Decluttering Methods online course.
Learn How To DeclutterThis course is designed to make downsizing easier by teaching you 8 methods for decluttering. In the lesson of each method, I provide a detailed step-by-step description of how the decluttering method works. For example, consider the ABC method for decluttering.
This method requires organizing your possessions into three categories.
A items – Or, the items you must keep. These are the items you can’t live without. B items – These items are the items you would like to keep if they can fit in your home. C items – These items are the ones you don’t need and don’t use.In my 8 Decluttering Methods online course, I detail where to go from this point. You’ll receive more information on both this method and many other decluttering methods. Sign up for my 8 Decluttering Methods online course to learn more!
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.
The post Simplifying Decluttering For Baby Boomers first appeared on Design Services LTD.November 18, 2021
How Do I Downsize And Declutter?
More and more baby boomers are making the decision to simplify their lives through downsizing and decluttering. Are you ready to do the same? Hi, I’m Rita Wilkins – the Downsizing Designer. After downsizing my life, I live with 95% less than what I once owned, and I couldn’t be happier. I want to spread the happiness and freedom I’ve found in downsizing by teaching others about decluttering and downsizing.
What Is Decluttering?Decluttering is simply the process of getting rid of clutter. Do you have items you no longer need? Items you thought would be useful, but never get used? Do you find it hard to let go of your possessions just in case you need them? If so, you might need to consider decluttering your life. How?
Sing Up For My 8 Decluttering Methods Online CourseIn my 8 Decluttering Methods online course, I teach you 8 different methods for decluttering. Each step-by-step guide will be sent to your email, so you’ll be able to choose the method that most suits you whenever is best for you. Some of the methods I teach during this course are the following.
The ABC Method – Do you like ordering things into lists, or categorizing items? Then this method is the perfect way to sort out which items to keep and which items to get rid of. The Extreme Decluttering Party – This method is perfect for those who maybe want to make the decluttering process a little more fun. It also works well for those who have friends and loved ones who would love to lend a helping hand! Room by Room, Week by Week – Do you work best when you’re able to complete one task before moving on to the next? This method is just right for you.Learn these methods and more when you sign up for the 8 Decluttering Methods online course – available soon!
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.
The post How Do I Downsize And Declutter? first appeared on Design Services LTD.3 Steps to Intentionally Design A Clutter-Free Life
The Downsizing Designer
Regardless of where you are on your decluttering journey…
Just getting started…
Started but now you’re stuck and lost motivation…
Finished decluttering and trying your best to maintain a clutter-free home…
You’re probably wondering if it’s even possible to live a clutter-free life!
I’m here to tell you that YES, it’s possible, YES, it’s hard work and takes discipline, and YES, it’s worth it!
When your home is clutter-free:· It is more peaceful, calming, and relaxing.· It is easier to think clearly, focus, and be more productive.· It is an environment that generates more energy, more life!
It’s not just the physical clutter that weighs you down, it is also the emotional clutter that impacts the day-to-day quality of your life…
The embarrassment and shame from having a house filled with clutter.
The frustration and extra energy that it takes to constantly try to find things and keep up with all of the messes.
The low self-esteem and overwhelm that comes from feeling there’s no way you will ever conquer the clutter!
But if you dream of having a clutter-free home, it is possible when you are intentional and if you follow these simple guidelines:
3 Steps to Intentionally Design a Clutter-Free Life
1. Get really good at deciding
Clutter is caused by deferring decisions to a later time.
“I’ll put those clothes away later.”“I’ll do the dishes later.”“I’ll clean off my desk later.”If you want to live a clutter-free life, be intentional.
Make a habit of deciding to do it now.
Decide to put it where it belongs now so you can find it when you need it later.
Hang up your coat.Put the dishes in the dishwasher.Clear off your desk at the end of each day.When it becomes a habit…
When it becomes a routine… you’ll begin to experience what clutter-free living feels like.
2. Purge oftenWhen you remove things that don’t matter to you, you are free to focus on what does.When you give up or let go of clutter , you gain peace of mind.
Whether it is items in your home or items on your calendar, let go of things that don’t matter so you can make room for things that do matter most to you.
Maintaining a clutter-free home takes practice and it takes courage to say NO.
It does get easier over time and you will discover it’s worth the extra time and effort to gain peace of mind.
Get Your Life Back Now!
View The Downsizing Designer’s On-Demand Online Course:
8 Proven Methods to Start Decluttering 3. Don’t buy moreBe intentional about every single purchase. Don’t allow anything into your home or into your schedule that doesn’t serve a purpose or provide meaning.
Instead of mindless shopping this holiday season, fill your time with meaningful activities and experiences.
When you intentionally design a clutter-free life you are always mindful about what contributes to a higher quality of life.
Your home becomes a peaceful sanctuary space that you care about, care for, and protect from an unwanted and unnecessary items that impact the sense of peace and calm that you’ve created.
If you have any downsizing, decluttering, and lifestyle design questions, click here to book your 30-minute complimentary phone consult with me.
November 16, 2021
Top 3 Secrets to Start Decluttering
The Downsizing Designer
I received a call from a woman the other day who sounded frustrated and stressed. She said, “I’ve been following you on Facebook for a long time and read all of your blogs.
I need your help!”
She went on to say…
I have a house full of stuff. It’s everywhere! I know I need to declutter because we want to downsize next year. How do I start decluttering? How do I stay motivated and keep going? Do I do a room by room or how do I do it? I just don’t know! Can you teach me how? I need your help.I get these calls all the time.
People who are stressed out about their clutter.People who are overwhelmed because they don’t know where to start .Or if they do start, they get stuck, frustrated, and never finish decluttering so it continues to build up and cause even more stress.They are often embarrassed by their clutter so for them to just pick up the phone and reach out for help is a huge step in the right direction!
And that’s all it takes… that first step to getting rid of the clutter that impacts you, your life, your health, and your relationships.
Because there are so many people out there who struggle with clutter, I created a new online, on-demand video course that teaches you… How to Start Decluttering Using 8 Proven Declutter Methods.
I want to share with you my top 3 secrets to successfully decluttering your home so you can start to live a clutter-free life.
Secret # 1: Make Decluttering A Priority
Decluttering is just a process, but when you prioritize it and put it into your calendar each week when you have a written plan, know the steps you need to take each week and have milestones that help measure your progress, decluttering will happen over time!
Just like any other big project at work or something like planning your daughter’s wedding…
You could get overwhelmed and stuck, but you won’t let that happen… you just keep going because it’s a high priority.
If you prioritize decluttering, you’ll be able to reach your goal and live a clutter-free life.
Secret # 2: Think of Decluttering as A Journey
When I downsized from my 5,000 square-foot home to my 867 square-foot jewel box apartment in Philadelphia, at first, I didn’t think of decluttering and downsizing as a journey.
But over the course of a year, I realized how much I was changing and evolving along the way. My perception of what really mattered changed during my downsizing and decluttering journey.
I realized all of that beautiful stuff that I had accumulated, wasn’t what made me happy. Rather, it was actually standing in the way of my happiness and freedom to enjoy a simpler life with less.
Allow yourself the opportunity to embrace decluttering as a journey.
You’ll change. You’ll grow. You will accomplish your goal!
Secret # 3: Know “Why” You Want to Declutter
Write it down. Plaster it on your mirror, your computer screen, your kitchen cabinets, wherever you are reminded of it every day.
Remind yourself what your life will be like after you no longer have to…
Be embarrassed about having guests come into your home.Be stressed or upset every time you walk in your door.Be frustrated because you know what you have and where to find it when you need it.For sure, there will be times you want to quit because decluttering can be overwhelming.
But if you…
Know “why” do you want to declutter… Think of decluttering as a journey… Make decluttering a priority in your life…You will never have to worry about living a life filled with clutter again.
During my decluttering journey, I tested multiple decluttering methods. Ultimately, I landed on one that was a perfect fit for me, my personality, and my schedule. Once I discovered my perfect decluttering method, the decluttering process became easier and almost effortless.
That is why I created my new online, on-demand video course:
8 Proven Methods to Start Decluttering
I specifically designed it to help you find the right decluttering method for your personality and your busy schedule. Once you take my course
you will have more time and freedom to live the life you really want.
Click here to sign up for my new online course.
The post Top 3 Secrets to Start Decluttering first appeared on Design Services LTD.
November 11, 2021
Starting Over: Downsizing in Your 60s
The Downsizing Designer
There’s something different about turning 60.
In some ways, it’s a realization that there’s more time behind you than there is in front of you. And for some reason, time seems to move faster than it did before.
Or maybe you just become more aware of the fact that there’s just so much time left…
What will you do with that time to max it out, to embrace each precious moment, to make an impact, and leave a legacy?There’s also a new sense of urgency:
Live life to the fullest each day.Live life on your terms… do it your way!Live life in a way you’ve never lived or loved before.And what better time than now…
To reassess your values and goals.To reboot or completely reinvent your life.To start fresh so you can embrace the years you do have left on this earth while living in alignment with what matters most to you. Why not embrace this time, this opportunity to start over and downsize in your 60s ? Why not take advantage of having more time, money, and freedom while you’re still healthy, active, and young enough to enjoy it? Why not embrace the opportunity to design and build the life you’ve been dreaming of for a very long time?Perhaps one of the most difficult decisions you will have to make is when to downsize.
It’s easy to just keep kicking the can down the road, but I would strongly encourage you to start sooner than later… before something happens, before it’s too late to fully enjoy your new life with less.
DOWNSIZING and DECLUTTERING take longer than you might think, so give yourself time to:1. Create a solid workable plan to declutter first, then downsize.2. Decide where and how you want to live your new life.3. Decide what to do with all of the stuff you’ve accumulated.Read my recent article to learn more: Baby Boomers: You Are 60. Does The Amount of Stuff You Own Scare You? It Should!Downsizing is a step-by-step process that is both physically and emotionally exhausting.
But as one client said to me recently, “I love my new lifestyle, why didn’t I downsize sooner?”
If you are interested in learning more about the downsizing and decluttering process, take advantage of my complimentary 30-minute phone consultation that will help you get started.
Also, check out my new online on-demand course:
8 P roven Methods to Start Decluttering
Once you discover a decluttering method that works for you, your personality, and your busy schedule, you will never have to live with clutter again.
We are offering this new course at a special price of $29.99 (Value price of $ 59.99)
for a very limited period of time.
Click here to register.
The post Starting Over: Downsizing in Your 60s first appeared on Design Services LTD.
Are You Ready To Learn How To Declutter?
A cluttered home can often cause stress for the people living there. When faced with what to do with unwanted clutter, however, many people simply don’t know what to do. What if you didn’t have to learn about decluttering all on your own? Hi, my name is Rita Wilkins. Some know me as the Downsizing Designer. When I downsized and decluttered my life, I got rid of 95% of what I once owned. Now, I live a happier, uncluttered life – and you can too!
Let Me Teach You The Decluttering Method That Is Right For YouThe trick to making downsizing your life easier is to find the right method for decluttering all the mess. Decluttering requires a level of organization that isn’t easy for everyone, and not every method of decluttering will work as well for one person as it might for another.
Sign Up For The 8 Decluttering Methods Online CourseMy 8 Decluttering Methods Online Course is designed to make it easy for you to find the decluttering method that suits you the best. How does it work?
Sign Up – First, simply sign up for the online course with your email. Receive Lessons Via Email – Lessons for 8 different decluttering methods will be sent to your email for you to read at your leisure. Choose Your Decluttering Method – Read through the step-by-step instructions for each method, then choose the one that suits you the most!Be on the lookout for the new 8 Decluttering Methods online course – then sign up!
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.
The post Are You Ready To Learn How To Declutter? first appeared on Design Services LTD.November 9, 2021
Downsizing is Emotional: Learning to Live with Less So You Can Live More
The Downsizing Designer
If you’re in your 60’s or 70’s, you have probably at least thought about and maybe talked about downsizing to a smaller more manageable home.
For many, downsizing is a choice… a decision to live a simpler, less cluttered life so you can have more time, money, freedom to pursue what matters most to you.
The idea of living with less so you can have a richer, more abundant life is very appealing to those that choose to downsize.
But what if you don’t have a choice?What if you have to downsize for financial reasons, health reasons, the death of a spouse, or divorce?For example:
A new widow who can no longer stand to stay in the home that she shared with her spouse for over 40 years.An older couple who can no longer afford to take care of the large home and the amount of clutter they’ve accumulated over the years.A divorcee who’s deteriorating health necessitates she move to a one-level home.These are all real-life situations that occur every day, forcing the need to downsize and declutter.
Perhaps you’ve even had this happen to you or to someone you know.
If this does happen… and if you are forced to downsize, how can you learn to live happily with less? And maybe even discover how rich and abundant life can be without the big house and without all of the stuff.
As an interior designer for over 35 years, I have worked with many clients in situations like these and the good news is… most of them ended up being much happier than they ever imagined! A little like seeing a beautiful rainbow after a big rainstorm.
Learning to Live with Less So You Can Live More
1. Acknowledge that downsizing and decluttering is going to be an emotional journey
Brace yourself for the ups and downs that may at times feel like a roller coaster ride.
Accept the fact that it will be overwhelming and stressful at times… but that it is just a process that can be managed when you have a plan and implement it over time.
One step at a time.
2. Realize there are many benefits to living with less space and less clutterLess to clean, organize, and manageLess expensive to maintainMore time to focus on what matters most to youMore freedom to create a new life that you might’ve always wantedRead this article to learn more: The Benefits of Living in a Smaller Home
3. Embrace the “art of letting go”
There’s power in learning to let go of things from your past that no longer serve you or that you no longer want, need, or will ever use.
You can actually develop a strong “letting go muscle”. Over time, the process becomes easier and easier.
4. Practice the mindset of “having enough” and “being enough”
There is true freedom and joy when you reach the point of not needing or wanting more.
You’re peaceful. You’re content. You have all you want and all you need.
5. Take time to appreciate the little things in life
Sunrise, sunset, a great cup of coffee or a fine glass of wine, or intimate conversations with those you love.
Practice noticing, experiencing, and being grateful for all you do have.
Focus on what matters most to you. Let go of everything that doesn’t!
If you follow these steps, you will realize it is possible to live a rich, abundant life with less.
Wishing you a blessed journey!
If you need help downsizing and decluttering, I would like to announce that we just released my new online course:
If you are having doubts and don’t know how to start, you can schedule a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation, click here.
November 4, 2021
Decluttering For A Simpler Life
Baby boomers, do you find yourself surrounded by a lifetime’s worth of clutter, with no idea what to do with it? Do the clutter and mess make you feel stressed in your own home? Are you readying for retirement and finding yourself wanting to downsize and declutter? If so, I can help you. My name is Rita Wilkins and I am known as the Downsizing Designer. After going through the downsizing and decluttering process myself, I live a happier, simpler life with more time, money, and freedom to do the things I want to do. I can help you gain the time, money, and freedom to do the same.
Learning About How To DeclutterOf course, many of us don’t know how to declutter. It’s one thing to look at all your things and think you need to get rid of some of them – and quite another to figure out how to do that! Don’t worry, baby boomers. You don’t have to learn on your own.
Try My 8 Decluttering Methods Online Course – Available Soon!Soon, I’ll have an online course dedicated to teaching those interested about different methods of decluttering. Why give this course a try?
Learn From Home – The course will be sent directly to your email, so you can learn all about decluttering from the comfort of your own home. Learn At Your Leisure – Once you sign up for 8 Decluttering Methods, you can go through each method at your leisure and learn which is best for you. Learning Is Easy – I’ve made each lesson easy to read and digest. You’re sure to find the decluttering method that will make the downsizing process easier for you!The 8 Decluttering Methods online course will be available soon – so don’t hesitate to sign up!
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.
The post Decluttering For A Simpler Life first appeared on Design Services LTD.Simplify Your Home and Your Life: Go Easy on Overdoing It This Holiday Season
The Downsizing Designer
If you’re like me, you might also be very excited about the upcoming holiday season because, for most of us, it will be the first time in a while that we can host big gatherings for family and friends.
And, if you are like most of us, you want to go “all-out” this year to celebrate, decorate, and participate in everything the holiday has to offer.
But before you overdo it, take a few minutes to discern which…
Traditions and activities you really want to participate in.Kinds and amounts of gifts you want to give.How much decorating really needs to be done to make your home festive.Too often, we just jump right in, doing things out of habit without slowing down to actually choose which of those holiday traditions will add real value, meaning, and enjoyment to our lives…
Versus those that will just add stress, overwhelm, and disappointment during this holiday season.
This year, before you jump in take a moment to look at these…
8 Ways to Simplify Your Home and Your Life This Holiday Season1. Be more intentional
Slow down, resist the holiday hype. Reassess what matters most to you then let go of the rest.
2. It might be time to revisit gift-giving
Be creative! Give experiences instead… give memories that will last forever!
Question the money you are spending and why knowing full well that more stuff doesn’t make you happier.
3. Declutter your calendar
Sometimes holiday events get imposed upon us, filling our schedule with more “have to’s”. Declutter your calendar this year allowing only the “want to’s.”
4. Declutter your own unrealistic expectations
Everything doesn’t have to be perfect. As a matter of fact, once you let go of perfection, likely you will enjoy your holidays more.
5. Make do with what you already have
The pandemic taught us a lot. It forced us to “make do.” We had to become more resourceful and just figure things out.
It taught us to simplify our lives, reprioritize what matters most, and be grateful for what we already have.
The same goes for the holidays. Before you go out and buy a ton of new decorations, decide to use what you already have. Get creative, use your decorations differently than you have in previous years. Watch what happens!
This will eliminate extra holiday stress by simplifying the amount of decorating you do. Instead, choose to spend more time with your kids and grandkids.
FREE Download: The Reverse Bucket List
6. Give clutter-free gifts this yearGod only knows most of us don’t need… or want any more stuff!
Instead, give consumable gifts this year that can be shared so everyone can enjoy. That way, you will not be contributing to more unwanted and unnecessary clutter.
7. Declutter your home before the holidays
Remove excess furniture, clothing, paperwork, and other miscellaneous items you no longer want, need or use.
Instead, donate them or gift them to someone who will!
Having a clutter-free home contributes to your ability to enjoy it more with family and friends.
8. Give experiences and new memories
What greater gift could you give someone than a gift of your time to people you love? The memories you share will last far longer than you can ever imagine.
This year make the decision to simplify your holidays:
By being more intentional.By focusing on what matters most to you.By being grateful for all you already have.
Wishing you all a beautiful, blessed, and simple holiday season!
Looking for a perfect sustainable gift? Why not gift your loved ones with my new on-demand online course that can help them simplify their lives?
MY NEW ONLINE COURSE: 8 PROVEN DECLUTTERING METHODS
