This time of year, many retirees want to put down their snow shovels and start considering retirement community living. The thought of year-round, maintenance-free, active living is an exciting thought that is sometimes short-lived when the panic of “but what do I do with all my stuff” kicks in. Why not make the move a smooth transition for yourself by creating a plan with just a few simple steps?

Start the process right

When it’s time to begin, be in the right mindset. Instead of thinking, “this is hard,” think “I can do this!” Reach out to your family and set-up a time for you all to meet at your home. Acknowledge that this can be an emotional time for everyone, but you have an amazing opportunity to discover forgotten mementos and family treasures while spending quality time together. Remember that you all have the same goal in mind—to make your new home as meaningful and comfortable as your current one.

Schedule bite-sized work sessions

The process can feel time-consuming and tiring for all involved. Space out your sessions to maintain the energy everyone will need. Set time limits (for example, carving out three hours on a Sunday), or focus on one small area of the house (a single closet or room) at a time. You want to make it accomplishable. Sometimes it works best to have a focus, for example: “Today, we are only working on clothes,” or “This is our garage day.”

Make it fun!

Consider buying four medium-sized plastic bins and label them ‘Keep’, ‘Toss’, ‘Sell’ and ‘Donate.’ Through the week, as you come across items, just place them in the proper bin. Taking frequent breaks, playing favorite music, or ordering in pizza or Chinese food can be a fun way to reward yourself for making progress!

It’s more than stuff

Most of what you have collected over the years comes with an emotional connection. It can remind you of special moments in your life with family and friends. Deciding on what to keep or give away can seem like a really big decision. Take some of that pressure off yourself by acknowledging that the actual material object probably isn’t what brought you the joy—it was the MEMORY you created around it.

Needing extra help?

For those folks that don’t have local family to help or just want some extra assistance with all of the sorting and packing, consider using a downsizing company. There are many organizations that specialize in retirement moves. They have expertise in auctions, estate sales, and yard sales. They can even advise and recommend what items have true value in the re-sale market. Loading up boxes and bringing items to charity organizations for you can be a real advantage of using these types of companies.

Make your NEW home, YOUR home.

Moving into a new space can sometimes feel a bit impersonal at first, so creating the look and feel of things that help you to connect can really ease the transition. Choosing a favorite paint color for the walls, bringing a cherished piece of furniture, or a special centerpiece can really make you feel right at home! Hang up those treasured paintings and family portraits to add that special personal touch.

Embracing your new journey

Making the choice to move to a retirement community is a big step for most; but knowing you have a well thought-out plan can take what may have seemed like a huge chore to an experience full of sharing, laughter, and adventure! This journey can be a time to bring your memories with you and an opportunity to create many new ones along the way—before long, you’ll be saying you wish you had done it sooner!

By Sheila Brustkern, Sales and Marketing Director