5 Tips On How To Downsize For Seniors

As I work with families as a professional organizer whose loved ones have moved out of their homes either to a retirement center, nursing home, care center or are deceased I increasingly see what a burden their loved ones possessions are to the families in charge of taking care of these possessions which have been collected over the years.

The same thing is true as I work with seniors who are downsizing their homes prior to a move or because they want to have more space and freedom in their homes and lives. I find many who have made the same mistakes I have. As I advise busy women when organizing I know firsthand how important it is to be caring and thoughtful in what we store and what we keep.

I decided about a year ago to "let go" of my china cabinet. In the cabinet I had porcelain figurines, and precious moment figurines which for years had been very important to me. What precipitated my decision to let it and the figurines go was ; I had been speaking at a women's group about organizing and a lovely senior women said she was worried about her fine hand painted china and figurines she had collected and treasured much of her life. She wanted to start de-cluttering her home as she felt tied to them (actually they tied her down) and they took a lot of her time to dust and keep nice.

Every woman I know whether in their 30's, 40's, 50's or 60 and older are busy women. Having less in our homes gives us more time to travel, work on hobbies, enjoy family, and have less housework to do as we don't have so many things to take care of. Here are tips on what to keep and how to get rid of the items we no longer want the responsibility for.nn*Only keep items you enjoy and lights you up. I sold my china cabinet because I realized I rarely paid attention to the things in them anymore. They had just become objects that took up space. My life had changed and I didn't "need" these things.nn*Take a photo of items that have memories attached to them but you don't want anymore. Keep the photo in a small memory book. If you have a computer just keeping the picture there might be all you need, you might not need the picture in a book. I took a picture of a clay art project my daughter made over 25 years ago as it was just clutter but I thought I couldn't part with it; even though it was in the back of a closet and I never saw it except when organizing. She didn't want it so I took a picture and after I did I realized I had let it go and I didn't even need the picture in an album.nn*Many items you can give as gifts.nn*Selling the items is an option.nn*Offer items to your children and grand children. It is better for you to decide who gets them while you can.

The bonus to passing things one "before passing on" is; you will have gotten rid of clutter, you know the person you wanted to have the items will get them, you are freeing up space, and you are freeing up your time as you no longer have to care for the items. Happy travels or what every passion you are pursuing as your "treasures" aren't holding you back.

Marilyn's bio: Marilyn is a creative organizer who helps women, seniors and their families create space and end clutter in their homes and offices by setting up custom made systems.

Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find solutions to your organizing needs. She offers free tips in her blogs, articles and videos for your home and office organizing solutions.