Senior Downsizing

This NY Times article was just forwarded to me, and it is so relevant to what we at Ship Shape Organize do. Not only is the emotional stress of downsizing difficult but the physical requirements and mental tenacity are challenging. We have a few downsizing/moving tips to add to all the valuable insight this article has to offer.

• Ask the movers to load the kitchen last so your family members or helpers can get to work right when the movers arrive.
• Carry all your medicine and personal items with you.
• Consider washing your sheets the morning of the move so you don’t have to search through boxes for bedding.
• Remembers movers don’t typically pack liquor or any liquid cleaning solutions so think about hand-carrying or giving them to a friend.
• Remember to eat something the day of the move and remain hydrated.
• Label boxes as to where your items should go in your new home, not where they have lived in your previous spot.  We just had 10 boxes labelled kitchen that had office supplies because the client used to have a built-in desk in her kitchen.
• Use your family members or professional organizers to help you.
• Remember when you donate an item, someone will love it.  Don’t think of it as throwing an item away.
• Consider arranging a donation pick-up at your house the day prior to the move as you will inevitably have some last minute things.
• Think about how to dispose of trash your last day.
• Remember, you will get settled in your new space, but it will take time. So start de-cluttering early.