For many, letting go of possessions isn’t just a physical task. It’s an emotional journey tied to memories and the life they’ve built over decades. The idea of sorting, decluttering or preparing for a move can feel overwhelming. Professional downsizing specialists Karin Krippaehne, owner of Just Like Daughters, and Tina Baril, owner of Monarch Transitions,LLC, offer practical first steps to downsizing. Their professional insight can help ease the process as you shape the next chapter of your life.
Making the decision to start
“It’s important to be intentional and change your mindset. Don’t think of it as a loss but an opportunity to refine your future. Even though you’ve kept an item for a long time, there’s freedom and peace in letting go of the past and clutter,” encourages Karin.
“Congratulations, you’re already a winner because you identified you need support in this journey. Looking at the whole picture can be daunting and overwhelming. You don’t need to do this alone,” says Tina.
Memories and emotions
Karin and Tina agree that emotional overload is one of the biggest barriers to downsizing. With nearly 20 years of experience, they’ve seen many people feel overwhelmed before they ever begin reducing their clutter. Karin and Tina have found people often hold onto items out of habit, guilt or a sense of responsibility to family history. Aging is a natural part of life, and planning ahead can restore a sense of control and ease the process. This is true whether you’re preparing for a future move or you’re right-sizing your home to age in place.
“Start by asking yourself why you need to downsize and what you want to accomplish. Do you want to start a new hobby, make sense of the current space you have or are you moving out of your home into a more manageable space?” asks Tina.
“Downsizing is an opportunity to imagine how you want to live next, not how you lived before. Keeping an item because it was expensive or because it was given to you out of obligation doesn’t serve you or the person who gave it. You don’t need an object to remember a person, a place or a meaningful time in your life,” says Karin.
Supplies and location for sorting
Karin and Tina use similar systems to help their clients get started, beginning with a few supplies: small or medium-sized boxes, blue painter’s tape and a black marker. Label each box Keep, Donate, Maybe, and Trash (or Sell/Shred, if helpful).
Start by clearing an area in your home. Flat surfaces, such as a kitchen counter or dining table, are great spaces for sorting. Seeing items physically separated often makes decisions easier.
The most successful downsizing journeys begin with simple, non-emotional areas. Karin and Tina recommend starting small, such as a junk drawer, coffee table, bookshelf or paperwork pile. Then work in short, manageable time blocks. Setting a 15-minute timer can make the process feel approachable. After the timer goes off, you can reward yourself with something enjoyable, such as a walk or meeting a friend for coffee. These small wins, along with a simple sorting system, make it easier to build a positive momentum and keep moving forward.
As you sort, ask yourself the following questions to help you focus on keeping the pieces you truly love and will continue to use.
- Do I use this?
- When was the last time I used it?
- Would I buy this again today?
- Will this fit the space and lifestyle I’m moving toward?
- If I move, would I want to display the item again?
“If you love your grandmother’s legacy china, it’s okay to keep only the dinner plates or your favorite tea cups. You don’t need an entire set of china to preserve its meaning; sometimes, a few favorite pieces are enough,” says Karin.
“You might consider holding a viewing party and allowing your family, friends or trusted community members to shop your house. Have bags and totes available for them to take home the items they want to keep. There are many groups that are in need of your items that you’re discarding,” suggests Tina.
The emotions and input of others
Karin and Tina emphasize the value of having the right support during the downsizing process. While another opinion can be helpful and family and friends mean well, they can unintentionally add emotion or pressure. If you find you’d like help navigating the downsizing process, consider using a professional in senior move management.
They are neutral, experienced guides who can customize a manageable plan at a pace that suits you.