Step-By-Step Decluttering Tips for Seniors & Mistakes to Avoid:

A few years ago, I was working with a client, helping her declutter the storage area in her basement. At one point, she sighed in frustration,”Whatever you do” she exclaimed, “Do not wait forever to go through your stuff and get rid of it like I did!” Her large storage room was packed with all of the beloved and not-so-beloved things of yesteryear.

We had sorted piles of kids’ keepsakes, photos, stuff to donate, stuff to give to her children, stuff to sell, and stuff to keep.  “But on the other hand,” I told her, “You are smart to deal with it all now rather than waiting until it is time to move.”

That’s when the burden of holding onto all that stuff truly comes to a boiling point. She had a move in her future, but not for at least another year yet, and she needed to pat herself on the back for that.

Decluttering Tips For Seniors: And Common Mistakes to Avoid:

There are 3 decluttering mistakes that I see frequently, they are: 

1. Waiting until the last minute to start.  

Starting early offers invaluable advantages. It allows you the luxury of time to decide where you want your unwanted belongings to go, rather than making rushed decisions under pressure.

Letting go of what you are no longer using will simplify your home and life so that when you are ready to move… you’re truly ready to move!

Waiting until the last minute makes for a stressful, less organized move with lots of frantic, impulsive decision-making. By reducing the number of belongings you own ahead of time, you reduce your physical and emotional load.

Just the decision-making process of what to keep and what to let go of is exhausting – and decision fatigue is a very real thing, so do most of your decision-making well before you have the added stress of having to move.

2. Thinking of decluttering and/or downsizing as a bad thing.

The process of letting go of our belongings or “downsizing” into a smaller home is often viewed in a negative light. Many individuals feel they have spent their whole lives working to acquire what they own, and now they have to let it go.

But the process of decluttering, downsizing, and simplifying your life often leads to more freedom and less stress. It’s a crucial step toward creating a more manageable and peaceful lifestyle for yourself. It’s an opportunity to start a new chapter in your life and heck…even go all out and reinvent yourself if you want to.

Letting go of what no longer serves our needs or fits our lifestyle can actually add to the quality of our lives, not lessen it. So I encourage you to embrace the process rather than resisting it. This will change your whole outlook and make the experience more pleasant and less painful.

Most of us resist change because it can be scary, but change can also be an opportunity to live a simpler, more carefree life. Ask yourself this question – Does your home support you and your lifestyle today? Or are you living in a home that was a good fit for you 10 years ago but not anymore?

3. Letting guilt  bring your decluttering quest to a sudden halt.

If you lived during the Depression era or had parents who did, you might struggle with letting go of anything that might be considered useful in any way. In this case, guilt gets in the way of letting go because you can still hear your mom telling you not to be wasteful. 

But we live in a different era today. Making progress and creating the simple living lifestyle you want, may involve recognizing and dissolving old beliefs and habits. You may even have to get uncomfortable and push past the natural inclination to hold on to it all. The good news is that once everything is gone, you will not miss or remember 98% of what you let go of.

Step-By-Step Decluttering Tips For Seniors:

Now, let’s explore practical steps to help you on your decluttering journey:

1. Gather supplies and identify an easy location for a starting point.

You’ll want to have some empty boxes on hand, along with garbage bags, a black permanent marker, and sticky notes. This is really all you need to get started.

Avoid starting with paperwork, keepsakes or photos. These are the hardest categories to tackle. Instead, I recommend starting with an area such as your bathroom where there are less emotional items to consider. Most of us do not get sentimental about tossing an old bottle of hairspray. A hall closet or kitchen pantry are good starting points too.

2. Start Small and Set Realistic Goals:

Instead of attempting to declutter the entire house at once, begin with one small area like a single drawer, a shelf, or a corner of a room. This prevents overwhelm and provides a sense of accomplishment, motivating you to continue.

Break the job down into short, manageable sessions (e.g., 10-20 minutes a day). Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint. Begin by focusing on typical problem areas that tend to accumulate the most clutter: the attic, basement, garage, closets, and file cabinets. These are often zones that house years of accumulated items.

Break large rooms down into small chunks. For example, in a kitchen, do one cabinet or drawer at a time. Pull everything out of each space one at a time and only put back the things that you truly need and use.

Avoid pulling everything out all at once; this can be overwhelming, and you may run out of time before you get done. This will leave you with a mess on your hands.

3. Designate five categories for items:

Keep: Items you use regularly or truly cherish.

Donate/Sell: Items in good condition that you no longer need.

Toss/Recycle: Broken, expired, or truly unusable items.

Return:  Items that are to be kept but belong in a different room.

Sentimental/Memory Box: For items that hold significant emotional value but don’t need to be displayed or kept in large quantities.

Clearly label the sides of each box with a black marker.  You will also want to sort the items into related categories so that they are organized when you return them to the storage space they came from.  Wait until you have finished with your project, then empty the Return box.  

4. Consider a “Holding Box” for items you’re unsure about.

Put them in a designated box, and if you haven’t missed or used them in 90 days (or whatever amount of time you are comfortable with), let them go. Note: Use caution not to look in the box before you let it go. If you do, you might want to keep everything in there! Remind yourself – you haven’t used or missed these things at all.

5. Donate, distribute, and spread some love!

One of the most rewarding aspects of decluttering is the opportunity to bless others with your treasures. As you sort through your belongings, designate boxes or bags for different recipients.

Donate to your favorite charity organizations. Label each box or bag clearly with the charity’s name to avoid any mix-ups. This not only helps you organize but also creates a tangible pathway for your belongings to find new homes and continue to be cherished.

Some charities will even pick up your donations free of charge, so don’t hesitate to reach out to them to see if this is a service they provide.

6. Keepsakes & memories:

Photos and keepsakes are often the most emotionally challenging categories to organize and make decisions about. I usually recommend leaving these for last. Keepsakes and photos often take longer to go through because you’ll also end up walking down memory lane, which can be an enjoyable but slow process.

Consider inviting a trusted family member or a close friend to help. Their objective perspective can be incredibly valuable in making decisions. Also, reminiscing together can turn a potentially difficult task into a cherished memory-making experience.

7. What to do With Paperwork:

Most people save much more paperwork than they need to because they are afraid of getting rid of something they may need down the line.  Refer to this handy guide for directions on how long to keep important documents. Shred anything no longer needed. Go digital where possible (online banking, paperless bills).

Create clearly labeled files for important documents like Life Insurance paperwork and your Living Will so that your family members can find them in the event that you aren’t available for guidance. You may want to communicate with them about the whereabouts of these items as well.

8. Get help and involve loved ones:

Decluttering can be physically and emotionally demanding. Don’t hesitate to ask family, friends, or even professional organizers for assistance.

Involving loved ones can turn the process into an opportunity to reminisce and share stories about meaningful items. They may also be interested in keeping certain heirlooms.

Use caution, and carefully choose someone who will be supportive. Avoid getting help from someone who might be judgmental or impatient with you. You certainly don’t need help from someone who’s going to get frustrated right away and tell you to just get rid of it all.

9. Make it Enjoyable and Take Breaks:

Play music, reminisce with loved ones, and celebrate small victories. Take frequent breaks to rest and rehydrate. Remember that decluttering is a marathon, not a sprint.  

By tackling one small space at a time, you will clearly see your progress, and this will motivate you to keep going. It’s also important to focus on what you have accomplished rather than on how much decluttering you have left to do. Don’t forget to reward yourself for a job well done!

The benefits of a lighter load include:

• Reduced Stress and Anxiety: A cluttered environment can be a source of constant, low-level stress. Knowing where everything is and having less “stuff” to manage can significantly reduce feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
• Enhanced Safety: Fewer tripping hazards and more accessible pathways contribute to a safer home environment.
• Improved Mental Clarity: A clear space often leads to a clear mind. The act of decluttering can be meditative and empowering, allowing for better focus and decision-making.
• A Fresh Start: Decluttering provides an opportunity to curate your belongings, keeping only what truly brings you joy and serves a purpose. It’s a chance to design a living space that reflects your current lifestyle and aspirations.

Conclusion:

The process of decluttering as a senior can feel daunting, but with a thoughtful approach and a few key strategies, it can be an incredibly liberating experience. And let me tell you…you’re going to feel so good when the work is all done, and you’re living a little lighter!

Still Feeling Stuck?

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