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Loading...15 Tips for Downsizing Your Living Space
- Erica Sofrina
- June 21, 2012
- 10:22 am
- 162 comments
By Erica Sofrina, Author of Small Changes, Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World
A few years ago I sold my large four-bedroom home and moved into a cute but significantly smaller cottage by the sea. Downsizing had to be done, and within the two-month closing date. Yikes!
Needless to say, going through the mounds of stuff that I had accumulated over the 24 years of living there was seriously daunting. But I am here to say that the benefits of having a more manageable living space has freed up loads of “internal” energy, giving me more time and money for the things that I really love.
Whether you are moving into a smaller bedroom, a smaller home or condo, or live in a petite space, here are some tips for organizing and/or downsizing your life to make your cozier space work wonderfully for you.
15 Tips for Downsizing your Living Space
1. Make sure what you keep is really something you can’t live without. Is everything you own worthy of a space in your home or office? Is it useful – like a toaster, or a shredder, or a great pair of shoes? Is it something that you find beautiful or inspiring – something you love? Or is it something with great sentimental value – one of a selected number of things you keep because of the sentiment? If it’s not any of these things, then perhaps it’s something that you can part with, and let it go to another home.
Surround yourself with things that make your heart sing, or make your life easier. Just OK is not OK!
2. If there’s something you use very infrequently, do you need to own it? Could you borrow it or rent it when you need it?
My small kitchen table has leaves to accommodate 12 people for holidays and parties
I now borrow the extra chairs for entertaining from a friendly neighbor who stores mounds of them in her garage.
3. You can limit the amount of space you’re willing to give to any type of item: Only the books that fit on the bookshelf, only the toys that fit in the bins, only the greeting cards that fit in the box you designate for that kind of memorabilia.
4. Regarding the sentimental stuff: Sometimes it works to take a picture of an item, and let the original go. Keeping antique furniture that does not fit your decor, style or taste for sentimental value will always stick out like a sore thumb. If no other family member is interested, keep the picture of it and donate to a good cause.
5. For children’s art projects and schoolwork: Be selective in what you keep, or this stuff can overrun even a large space. Your children may have opinions on what they want to keep, too. In general, keep the essay about “My Family” – but maybe not the ones about less personal topics. Keep a few wonderful original drawings, but perhaps not the ones where your child colored in a form.
Read more: Bed & Bath, Eco-friendly tips, Feng Shui & Organizing, Green, Home, Household Hints, Inspiration, Reduce, Recycle & Reuse, Spirit, clutter
Erica Sofrina
Erica Sofrina is a motivational speaker, author and life coach specializing in connecting people to their spiritual essence. She is also an Internationally recognized Feng Shui speaker, green living columnist, teacher and the author of the book Small Changes, Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World and the Founder of the West Coast Academy of Feng Shui. She is also the founder of Earth Spirit Adventure Travel which takes people on retreats to powerful energy vortexes such as Bali and Hawaii to facilitate their deep earth/spirit connection. Find out more at www.ericasofrina.com
Go to the Source
Small Changes, Dynamic Results! Feng Shui for the Western World
By Erica Sofrina A Simple Guide to Feng Shui for our Western Lifestylesbuy now
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
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people are talking
I have MS, that might not be a good idea for me.
Especially wonderful for those of us living in a rural area, take the meeting down a rural back road…
Aaawww so precious !
Haha :-) Thank you!
Time out time
162 comments
+ add your ownexcellent tips....thanks
Oh, another useful and motivating article from the author. I recently turned 60 and have talked with friends about how we look back on when our lives were simpler and we had more time for ourselves. Then we talk about how much time and energy it takes to manage our 'stuff'. Gee, could there be a connection?
nice
Good ideas,thank you.
Great ideas!
Had to move to a small apartment and was able to downsize successfully but it can be difficult at times!
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE!
thanx, for the info
thank you for the great tips, especially the 6-month rule! also good to truly analyze what enhances your living space and what is just taking up space.
Great info - thanks!
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