Downsizing
Downsizing Without the Heartache: Making Smart Choices About Your Stuff
When Vivica decided to move from her four-bedroom home into a smaller apartment, she felt completely overwhelmed. Every closet was full. The attic was overflowing. She had furniture that once belonged to her parents, keepsakes from her children, and dishes she hadn’t used in decades.
“I didn’t even know where to begin,” Vivica admitted. “I kept thinking, ‘What if I need this someday?’ or ‘What if my kids want it?’”
Downsizing is one of the hardest parts of moving to a smaller home or into a senior living community. It’s not just about clutter. It’s about memories, identity, and letting go.
But with a clear plan, downsizing doesn’t have to feel impossible. You can honor your past, simplify your life, and even put a little money back in your pocket.
Why Downsize?
There are many good reasons older adults choose to downsize:
Less to maintain. A smaller home requires less cleaning, less yard work, and fewer repairs.
Lower costs. You may save on utilities, property taxes, and insurance.
Easier living. Reduced square footage often means fewer stairs, smaller distances, and easier mobility.
More freedom. With fewer possessions to manage, you can spend more time on what you truly enjoy.¹
Downsizing can also be a tremendous gift to your family—sorting your belongings now means they won’t have to navigate everything later.
Start Early
Don’t wait until you have to move. Give yourself months—not weeks—to work through everything.²
Set small goals:
One closet this week
One dresser next week
One box a day
Slow and steady is the key.
Sort Into Categories
As you go through your belongings, sort items into four piles:
Keep – Things you use, love, or truly need.
Give away – Items you want to pass on to loved ones.
Sell – Items with value.
Donate or discard – Worn-out or unused items.³
Be honest with yourself: if you haven’t used something in years, you probably won’t miss it.
Involve Your Family
Before donating or selling items, give your family a chance to choose what matters to them.
Be clear and direct:
**“Take what you want by this date. After that, everything will be donated or sold.”**⁴
This avoids confusion—and keeps you moving forward.
Turn Your Stuff Into Cash
If you own items with value, there are several ways to make money from them:
Estate Sale or Tag Sale
Perfect for larger downsizing projects. Professional estate sale companies can handle pricing, advertising, setup, and the sale itself. They typically take a percentage of the revenue.⁵
Yard Sale or Garage Sale
Great for everyday household items, clothing, and small furniture. Promote it with signs or posts on neighborhood sites like Nextdoor.⁶
Online Marketplaces
Platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or eBay allow you to sell valuable or large items one at a time—often at a better price.
Ask buyers to pick up large items so you don’t have to move them yourself.⁶
Consignment Shops
Ideal for higher-quality furniture, art, décor, or clothing.
Auction Houses
If you have antiques or collectibles, auction houses can help you get a fair price.⁵
What About Items That Won’t Sell?
You still have several options:
Donate to charity. Many nonprofits gladly accept household items and may even pick up furniture.⁴
Give to friends or neighbors. A meaningful item can find a wonderful new home.
Recycle or dispose properly. Check your town’s rules for large-item disposal or recycling programs.
Consider Hiring Help
If the process feels overwhelming, you don’t need to do it alone.
Senior move managers can help with organizing, packing, sorting, selling, and coordinating the entire move.⁷
Professional organizers can declutter and streamline your space.
Estate sale companies handle all selling logistics.
Your local Office for the Aging or a senior living community can recommend trusted professionals.
Don’t Forget the Emotional Side
Letting go can be deeply emotional. A teacup from your grandmother. A wedding gift. Old photos. A chair your children used to climb onto for story time.
Here are ways to hold onto the memory without holding onto every object:
Take photos of items before letting them go.
Keep one or two special pieces rather than entire collections.
Share the story behind an item when you give it to someone.⁸
Give yourself grace. Downsizing is a major life transition—but it can also be incredibly freeing.
Vivica’s Story Continues
Vivica took her time. She started in the spare bedroom and worked through each space slowly. She gave her daughter the dining room table she loved. She sold her father’s old tools in an estate sale. She donated boxes of dishes, linens, and knickknacks to charity.
“Some days were tough,” Vivica said. “But I kept reminding myself—I’m not losing the memories. I’m just letting go of the things.”
When she finally moved into her new apartment, she brought only what she truly needed and loved.
“I didn’t realize how much all that stuff was weighing me down,” she said. “Now my home feels peaceful. I have room to breathe.”
Where to Get Help
National Association of Senior Move Managers – www.nasmm.org⁷
Local Estate Sale Companies – Search online or ask neighbors
Habitat for Humanity ReStore – Donate furniture & household items: www.habitat.org/restores
Local Office for the Aging – Find resources and support
This article is general information only. It is not financial or legal advice. Every person’s situation is different. Talk to a trusted advisor or your local Office for the Aging if you need help.
References
Where You Live Matters. "Tips for Seniors Selling Their Homes." https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/resources/seniors-selling-their-homes/
The Bristal. "Tips for Seniors Preparing to Sell Their Homes." https://blog.thebristal.com/downsizing-selling-your-house-tips-for-senior-citizens
Golden Years Relocation. "Downsizing With Estate Sales or Auctions for Seniors." https://goldenyearsrelocation.com/downsizing-with-estate-sales-or-auctions/
Where You Live Matters. "Tips for Seniors Selling Their Homes." https://www.whereyoulivematters.org/resources/seniors-selling-their-homes/
Golden Years Relocation. "Downsizing With Estate Sales or Auctions for Seniors." https://goldenyearsrelocation.com/downsizing-with-estate-sales-or-auctions/
Bekins Van Lines. "How to Have a Moving Sale for Downsizing." https://www.bekins.com/2024/06/27/moving-sale-for-seniors/
Stoney Brook Senior Living. "Downsizing and Selling Your Home? 6 Steps for Seniors to Consider." https://www.stoneybrookseniorliving.org/blog/downsizing-and-selling-your-home-6-steps-for-seniors-to-consider
ElderLife Financial. "Home Selling Tips for Seniors." https://www.elderlifefinancial.com/resources/home-selling-tips-for-seniors/