The 3-Ds of Downsizing

Deciding What to Keep

• Get the exact measurements of your new apartment.

• Measure the furniture that you would like to keep for your new apartment.

• Create a diagram of your new apartment floor plan using graph paper.

• On a separate sheet of graph paper, cut out squares that represent the size of each piece of furniture that you would like to move and label each piece.

• Place the furniture cut outs on the floorplan diagram to confirm that the furniture will fit in your new apartment. Contact family and friends to take furniture that you will not be taking to your new apartment. Set a deadline of 30 days to remove the furniture.

• Donate or sell furniture that was not removed.

Decluttering

• Set a goal of cleaning out at least one closet or cabinet per day. Do not think about what is left to declutter, only focus on the task at hand.

• Have an ample supply of trash bags and boxes.

• Completely empty the cabinet/closet, separating items into three piles. Decide if you need to keep the item, sell/donate the item, or throw the item away. As you come across items that may have sentimental value to your family members, set those aside to allow them to decide the items that they would like to keep or throw away.

• Find an area to store sell/donate items and a separate area for trash items. Move these items to the appropriate area.

• Place the item that you have chosen to keep in a moving box, or place in the cabinet to pack later.

Disposing of Unwanted Items

• There are a variety of options for disposing of unwanted items. Disposing items as you go along can avoid unneeded anxiety and stress. You may ask family to help each weekend and dispose of the items collected during the week or find an individual or group that would dispose of the items for a reasonable fee. Church youth groups often could use the extra money for trips and camps.

• Research consignment stores, thrift stores and trash removal services in your area to compare the various terms and costs associated with using their services.

Move-in day is often filled with mixed emotions. You and your family may experience excitement with the decorating and settling in process but also may experience feelings of anxiety and loss. Moving is seldom easy and acceptance of the move as well as settling into a routine may occur over a period of weeks or longer for some people. Sun Ridge staff will provide you with a resident handbook explaining policies and procedures, staff contact lists, mealtimes, and general information about daily living, which may ease the anxiety and pressures associated with the move. We are here to make your move as stress-free as possible. Let us know if there is anything that we can help with to make your move for comfortable.