January 2022. By Jenn Shenouda-Levine.
After years of successfully helping seniors’ transition to smaller homes or senior living communities, Margo Salnek, CEO and Founder of Move Seniors Lovingly, knows firsthand that downsizing does not have to be a loss of independence. Instead, it can be a moment to prioritize what matters to you and to rediscover the joy in new beginnings.
One of the keys to a successful move is to have a step-by-step plan, which Margo and her team have created for hundreds of seniors and their families. Have you been wondering about how and where to start the process of downsizing? Here’s a sneak peek of some tried-and-true steps that can help you make the most of your move:
Step 1-Identify Your Favourite Items
You can kickstart the downsizing process by creating a list of items that are integral to your identity, things you cannot part with. At this stage, you don’t have to be too practical, just think along the lines of your treasured family photo albums or your grandmother’s tea service. Creating this list will give you the piece of mind to embrace change.
Step 2-Identify the Essentials
Now that you’ve selected your favourite items, it’s time to design another list for your essential items. These are the familiar items that will be necessities for your day-to-day in your new place. An example would be your favourite chair to watch TV in, or the bed side tables where you can rest your glass of water to cozy down for the night. These items provide comfort and will help smooth your transition into a new living space.
Step 3-Create a Floor Plan
The floor plan is what the Move Seniors Lovingly team considers the magic tool in downsizing. If you’re not tech-savvy, you can always have your family or friends download several plans of your new place to give you options. Whether you’re downsizing to a condo or a senior living community, having a layout of your new place will help you envision where things will go.
Once you designate someone to work with you on the plans, make sure to measure all your furniture. Instead of thinking of a smaller space as a design barrier, it can be a chance to get creative with furniture placement. A china cabinet that was once in a dining room can also work as a stunning showpiece in the hall. Changing things up can breathe new life into items that have been tucked away in corners. Imagine yourself entertaining guests in this new space!
Step 4-Identify Items for Family and Friends
At this point in the process you can now turn to family and friends and offer them something that they will cherish. Since you’ve already created lists and given thought to what you’ll be taking with you, you don’t have to worry about offering up something that you might need later.
Just make sure that you’ve given your loved ones a deadline of when they can pick up their items so that you do not get stuck with them on moving day.
Step 5-Identify Items for Sale, Donation and Disposal
Finally, it’s time to unload anything that you will not be taking with you or giving away to loved ones. While you might think that posting items online would be the way to go, calling in professionals such as estate dealers might be more time efficient and minimize the steps involved on your part. Experts like Salnek and her team are equipped with the tools to help you decide what method works best for you, whether it’s selling, donating, or disposing.
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We hope that these steps have inspired you to think about the process of moving in a new light. When you feel empowered and have a plan, you can prioritize the things that matter most to you and maximize life’s pleasures in your next chapter.
For more information on how Move Seniors Lovingly can help you with all your moving and downsizing needs, please visit www.moveseniorslovingly.com