Advice to downsize a life’s worth of possessions

As baby boomers begin to enjoy their empty nests and embrace the next phase of their lives, many are opting for a new walkable lifestyle close to the cultural and culinary amenities they love. Developers have caught onto the trend and are designing upscale condos in and the near our major cities to attract these new residents. While these properties may officially qualify as downsizing for their buyers, they offer luxuriously appointed spaces with upwards of 2,500 to 5,000 square feet.

But if you’ve lived in a large home for many years, moving into a new property with half the space often requires purging many of the belongings you’ve accumulated over the years. Sorting through your possessions, especially decades of paperwork and photos, can be physically and emotionally wearing, yet ultimately rewarding.

If you’re dreaming of living in that luxury condo with all the upscale amenities, here are some downsizing tips to get you started.

• Give yourself plenty of time before moving. As soon as you start to think about moving, begin the process of purging, so you can have a sense of how much space you’ll want (and need) in your new home.
• Take an inventory of your belongings. Regardless of where you are moving, knowing what you have and determining what to do with your possessions is one of the best first steps. It’s often easier to start with your storage spaces to see if you really need to keep things like your kid’s old report cards.
• Hire a professional organizer or ask a friend to help. As you declutter, identify items to throw away, sell or donate. Hire a professional or ask a friend to help who will have less of an emotional attachment.
• Take photos of special items. One way to maintain your memories while reducing your possessions is to take photos of the things you love that may not fit your new lifestyle, possibly even your art.

Next week, we’ll share with you a few additional tips for downsizing into the lap of luxury.