For many seniors, the promise of a life free from the hassles of lawn care, home maintenance, and costly repairs is enough to make them seriously consider a move to a senior living community. Add to that the plentiful amenities, delicious food, and engaging activities offered at communities like John Knox Village of Central Florida, and that move can’t happen fast enough for most. But in addition to giving up the responsibilities of home ownership, there’s something else to let go of when downsizing or planning a move to a senior living community—clutter.
Weed whacker. Toolbox. Ladder. There’s a long list of items you’ll no longer need as a resident of our Central Florida senior living community. And many other things you probably forgot you have. But how do you decide which to keep and what to do with everything else? Read on.
Should it stay or should it go?
If you have a basement, garage, attic, closet, or spare room full of stuff you haven’t looked at in years, you’re not alone. It’s only human to hang onto things we think we may need one day, but usually never do (like that box of clothes from high school). Want a good rule of thumb when deciding what to keep? If it’s something you haven’t looked at or used in at least a year—and you made it through every season and holiday without it—then you probably don’t need it. Remember though, there’s an art to deciding how to dispose of these items.
Moving pieces.
When it comes to decluttering before your big move to a senior living community, organization is key. Designate different containers for items as you sort through them. If you have a defined place to put things, it’ll prevent you from delaying decisions until later or telling yourself you’ll come back to it—something we’re all guilty of.
Start by identifying categories to group items into, such as “donate,” “yard sale,” or “trash.” Then, get your containers ready—boxes, bags, or bins work great—and label each one. Finally, it’s time to get to work. Not sure what to do with an item? We’ve provided some ideas to get you started.
Donate to someone in need.
Just because you no longer have use for something doesn’t mean someone else wouldn’t love it. There are plenty of ways to donate, including giving items directly to a person you know in need, dropping them off at a drop box or non-profit center that accepts donations, or scheduling a pickup from one of many online organizations that will come right to your home. Many of them also provide forms for claiming tax deductions.
Pass down a little happiness.
Gifting items with special meaning to family members or friends is a great way to spread some joy and keep the stories behind these treasured belongings alive for generations to come.
Store items in a safe place.
If you have a few (or a few dozen) items that you just can’t let go of but are not sure you have room to keep in your new home, renting a storage unit may be a great option. You can store the items temporarily until you get settled or for as long as needed. Most storage facilities offer different unit sizes and contract terms—and some even offer moving assistance.
Turn your trash into your treasure.
Even items without sentimental value can be valuable if you turn them into cash. Gather any pieces you think you may be able to sell; then plan a yard sale (or a block sale with neighbors), take them to a consignment shop, or list them for sale on an online marketplace.
Preserve your memories—and your space.
Most of us have a lifetime of memories tucked away in our hearts and our closets. If you have boxes of old pictures, videos, films, audio recordings, letters, or cards, you know how much room they can take up. Many companies will take all those bulky, heavy items and digitize them onto a flash drive or DVD—or even better, store them in the cloud. Some even offer restoration services for any images or recordings that have been damaged over time.
Do your part for the environment.
Separate regular trash from items that can be recycled, including plastic, glass, newspapers, magazines, and documents. Check with your local recycling center to find out what is acceptable. Be sure to shred any confidential papers like tax forms and anything with your Social Security number or bank account information on it. Many communities hold shredding events in the spring. Call your local municipality for information.
Keep the things that bring you joy and comfort.
No one expects you to get rid of everything you own. When you come across something you want to keep, tag it appropriately for your move. If you organize items by room, season, or priority now, it’ll be easier to move and unpack them later.
Know when to let go.
Some things just have no value—financial, sentimental, or other. Find your “trash” container and discard anything that doesn’t fit neatly into any of the other categories.
Less is more when moving to a senior living community.
Ready to start your next chapter without any responsibilities, stress, or clutter? Contact us today at 386-775-0788 to discuss available residences and floor plans at our beautiful Central Florida senior living community. Or schedule a tour and see for yourself why so many people call John Knox Village home.