The garage with the leaning tower of bins.

The kitchen with the overflowing junk drawer (or two...).

The office with the scattered mail and endless old files to sort.

All too familiar, right?

Ugh. No wonder you don’t see too many people rejoicing over the thought of packing up and moving. The stress and overwhelm is so daunting that most would rather spend the day getting their teeth drilled on at the dentist than start that project.

Unfortunately, however, few escape moving. In fact, most folks will move a minimum of five times in their life…usually more. Whatever the reason, it is a big task to take on that, if not prepared for properly, can be quite stressful. It’s challenging for someone who has been living somewhere for only a year to move. Now add 5, 10, or even 30 years to that. There’s no doubt, that transition can be daunting. Not only is the accumulation of stuff to go through a huge undertaking, but the memories, the familiarity of a home, and the fear of change, are all other aspects of moving that can be quite impactful.

But, have no fear; there is hope! Sometimes moving can be an empowering and fun event. Maybe you will finally live in a town you have always loved. Perhaps you can move into a smaller home and relax in the idea of less maintenance and financial obligations. Maybe you get to live closer to your friends, children or grandchildren. Whatever the reason may be, there is always a benefit. Hold on to that thought. Time will fly by and, before you know it, you will have made it.

The following article will teach you:

1. How to mentally prepare and get excited about a move.

2. How to reduce moving stress so you stay sane.

3. How to pack with ease so you can knock moving out of the park like a pro.

Lets begin!

Turn that frown upside down.

If you’re about to tackle the big task of moving or downsizing your home for retirement, start by easing yourself into the right mindset. The right attitude can make a big difference… the difference between misery and ease. There are a few tricks you can do to mentally prepare for moving and downsizing that can dramatically help you get started on the right foot.

How to mentally prepare and get excited about a move.

1. Get excited about starting a new chapter in life. There is a lot to be excited about when it comes to change. If you can focus on the positive aspects going into the move, the process won’t seem as dreary. For example, the following are all possible perks to moving and/or downsizing: Exploring a new area; making new friends; having more space and less clutter; saving money; freeing up time; feeling more relaxed and carefree; less household obligations; simplifying life; and starting retirement fresh and full of promise, hope, and new discoveries.
2. Create a story night. Pick a time you can devote to reminisce about the good ol' times. Go around your house and pay tribute to your belongings, such as your pictures, antiques, souvenirs, and furniture. Reminisce about old vacations, memories of the kids, silly adventures, and fun times with family, friends and neighbors. This can be the beginning of deciding what is truly important to keep, and what is ok to let go of. A good memory is as valuable as the item itself. Closure is turning grief of goodbyes and change into appreciation and freedom.
3. Learn to love to let go. A recent study said Americans tend to hold on to over 300,000 things. Yikes! It is human nature to want to hold on to things that are sentimental, but clutter often transforms from physical baggage to emotional baggage. Holding onto the past keeps you from enjoying the present. Think of it like this, letting things go is like adding time to your life for more to come. It also can be fun to explore the idea of giving away some of your things so someone else can have a turn to enjoy them. There are many people who don’t have much, and your collection of holiday figurines or board games you never play anymore could make a small child very happy next December.
4. Have one last hurrah! Plan a few dinners with your neighbor friends. Go around and eat at all your old favorite restaurants. Take a long walk around the block. Say “Farewell neighborhood! It’s been awesome to be here! Thanks for all the good times!” Then start Googling new restaurants and local hot spots where you are moving to. New routines increase vitality and longevity.
5. Don’t do it alone. Have a packing party. People always offer to help, but no one ever takes them up on it. But not you! It’s ok to ask for help. Moving is a huge undertaking and many hands equal light work. Besides, sometimes it’s nice to have friends or family be an objective influence of what to keep and what to toss. And, if you are one of those generous parents who have kept some of your adult children’s belongings, perhaps it is time to invite them over to go through those items, too. If they don’t care to have it at their house, then you don’t need it either.

Stay cool as a cucumber.

Yes; moving can have its stressful days. No doubt about that. But, if you incorporate these five helpful tips, you can keep the process calm, consistent, and manageable.

How to reduce moving stress so you stay sane.

1. Breath. It’s important that you stop, breathe, and relax your body and mind from time to time. Your mental and emotional health is just as important as your physical health. If you want to make it through this big transition, then you will want to take time to take care of yourself first. Don’t let the move overcome you. Plan some relaxing nights or fun nights out. Don’t think about moving 24/7. It’s all about balance.
2. Start early, make a plan, and have checklists. The more organized you can be, the better. Get ahead of the game by chipping away at the work. Make a list of every room, closet, and shed you want to tackle over the next couple of months. There is nothing more satisfying than checking something off a list!
3. Do one room at a time. If you can see the project as one room at a time, it won’t seem as overwhelming. Start with the spare rooms and work your way to the kitchen. Take breaks often. Chilling out for a bit will help re-energize you and give you some much needed packing clarity.
4. Start with rooms with less sentiment. Some things are easier to pack than others, so start with those things. It’s much more obvious what is not important and what can be tossed in the bathrooms or junk drawers. No need to deliberate over travel shampoos or old Tupperware. Packing up those rooms first will give you a sense of completion and motivation to go through the harder stuff.
5. You know what reduces stress…money in your pocket! Try selling your stuff. There are many platforms to sell your belongings now: Craigslist, Facebook, e-bay, or even Smart Phone apps like Let Go and OfferUp. You could also try antique and second hand dealers to see if your more valuable items might be worth selling. Then you can pocket the money to help pay for movers, or go have a nice dinner to rejoice in your hard work!

Become a packing Ninja

It’s not uncommon for one’s mind to start spinning when thinking of packing. All the decisions, the boxes, the lifting... There is a lot to plan out, but if you can follow these tips you will be feeling like a moving pro in no time.

How to pack with ease so you can knock moving out of the park like a pro.

1. Create piles: Keep, Garbage, and Donate. No “maybe” piles. This process will keep you organized and keep you moving forward. There are so many places you can take your used goods: The Salvation Army, Goodwill, or nearby Shelters. They will even come and pick it up. Also, think outside the box; you could give the local cleaning lady your half used cleaning supplies, or the Gardner your extra clippers and rakes. Have some items you wanted to be gifts or family legacies? Free up space and give them away now. The rest… purge, purge, purge! Celebrate with a glass of wine or a piece of chocolate, every time you fill that garbage can up!
2. Organize boxes with colored labels. What’s more annoying then packing? Unpacking! There’s nothing worse than staring at a bunch of boxes to open and not knowing where it all goes. Start your moving project off right by spending a few extra bucks on color-coding labels and tape. For example, labels things by room, what furniture it goes back into, fragile, or whether it should be opened right away.
3. Think quality over quantity. Do you really need more than two sets of sheets or more than eight plates anymore? Time to ask yourself these questions: What do I actually use on a daily basis? Have I used it in the last year? Of these, what’s my favorite one to keep? Do I feel a sense of joy when I look at it? Do I feel obligated to keep it? Try to reduce your stuff by at least half.
4. Have one dedicated “Memory box”. The hardest part of moving is getting rid of things that once held sentimental value. Dedicate one box/bin for storing items that make you smile when you think about them (but, maybe they don’t need to be on the mantel anymore). Things like art, picture frames, photos, decorations, china, trinkets, kids crafts, etc.
5. Hire help! Salvaging your sanity is priceless, right? Now-a-days there are many companies that can make moving a breeze. Contact your local Seniors Real Estate Specialist, and they can help you with any of your moving needs; from packers and movers, to garbage haulers and handypeople. They specialize in finding your new home and staging your old home when it comes time to sell. Delegation is always a smart move.

You did it!

Downsizing is a chore, but the hard work is done. You got into the right mindset, you stayed calm, and you packed like a ninja. You kept what you needed, yet have fewer items and boxes to deal with now. That leaves less to move, less time and money to spend, and fewer things to unpack. Woohoo!

Remember to relax and take pride in all you have accomplished. With a lot less junk to weigh you down, you can settle into your new place, meet your neighbors, and savor your newfound freedom. Your new adventure awaits you.

Have questions about real estate, moving, downsizing, or home remodeling? Contact Natalie at (916) 597-0546 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..