Downsizing for retirement is common, although we prefer the term “right-sizing.” After 55, the responsibilities and time commitment associated with homeownership can begin to outweigh the benefits. Your priorities may have changed, and you may prefer the flexible, maintenance-free living offered by 55+ apartment communities.

Imagine a life of possibilities, where you trade landscaping and home maintenance for time to travel, rediscover hobbies, and socialize. If that appeals, the first step toward saying goodbye to your long-term home and hello to an environment that supports your active adult lifestyle is a necessary evil: Clutter control.

Let the De-Cluttering Begin

You’ve had years to accumulate stuff, and if you own your home, you have a relatively large space to store it, even if you don't use it often (or at all). Smaller spaces in 55+ apartment communities may have well-designed storage, but they don't have room for a household's worth of stuff. It’s just a mathematical fact.

If you are thinking of downsizing for retirement to an apartment, the first order of business is to pare down your possessions. Wading through decades of accumulation can feel overwhelming, but remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Tackle one room at a time, and start with the small, non-emotional stuff—it’s easier to part with an extra spatula than the dress you wore to spring prom. Get rid of expired, broken, or duplicate items first.

Keep, Sell, Donate, and Trash

As you go through each cupboard or room, organize items into four distinct piles: Keep, Sell, Donate, and Trash. For each item, ask the following questions:

  • Do I use it?
  • Do I love it?
  • Would I miss it if it were gone?
  • Could someone else use it?
  • Will it fit in my new apartment?

If you're not sure whether to keep or discard an item, try using the one-year rule. Have you used or thought about it in the last year? If the answer to these questions is “no,” and you don't have an emotional connection to it, then it can probably go.

Dealing with the Sentimental Stuff

When you get to the photos and memorabilia section, enlist the help of loved ones. Provide snacks and tissues—because the process can become an emotional stroll down memory lane. Invest in a photo scanner to store beloved photos on computers or in cloud storage. Offer meaningful and sentimental items you don't want to loved ones (and ask for their input—you might be surprised to discover that stuff that means nothing to you means the world to a loved one).

Clearing It All Out

Once you have your piles of stuff, it’s time to take the next step. Pack the items you want to keep, clearly labeling each box so you know where it belongs in your new home. For the stuff you’re getting rid of, you can arrange for charity pickups and drop-offs, hold garage sales, or sell valuable items online.

Getting rid of unnecessary belongings can create some separation anxiety. Stay focused on how wonderful it will be to live a newly streamlined life. Check out Overture active adult living communities, make the move, then hit the gym, pursue a new passion, make a new friend, or pack a suitcase and head off on a bucket-list trip. This is your time, and you’ve earned the right to enjoy it to the fullest!