Empty Nesters: 10 Simple Tips to Help You Declutter and Downsize

Almost Empty Nesters

We’ll be empty nesters next year.  As our son prepares for his final year of high school, I realize how quickly this is becoming a reality. And now that he’s driving and doing things on his own, I often joke that we’re practicing being empty nesters. 

With this experience, I feel even more connected to my clients who are already empty nesters. And to those who, like me, can see that their kids won’t be living under their roof much longer. I think I always knew that the “days would be long and the years would be short.” But I guess I just didn’t realize how very short they are.

I have sincerely loved every phase of raising a family and building a career, two careers actually. But I firmly believe that living a life with less stuff and more contentment made it all the better. 

So as we embark on our third act of life, I plan to declutter and downsize even more. And help as many empty nesters as I can along the way. Decluttering and downsizing is a daunting task, especially if you’re just getting started. A few years ago, I moved my in-laws to a retirement community. They had to downsize 70% of their belongings. Like most empty nesters, they had accumulated stuff for over 30 years. Moreover, many families live in the same house for years without a move to motivate purging. There are kids toys, sentimental items, extra kitchen ware, endless boxes in the basement, and garages full of everything except a car.

I take great pride in the work of helping families start a new chapter. It can be a season of less stuff and more experiences, if they allow it to be. We often talk about the benefits they see as they declutter, downsize, and simplify. And most of them wish they had just done it sooner. 

Benefits of Decluttering and Downsizing for Empty Nesters

Whether you’re an empty nester now or ten years from now, the benefits of owning less are immediate. Here are the ones that had the most impact on me and my clients.

More Space: Decluttering and simplifying creates more space in your home, making it feel open and welcoming. You can entertain at a moment’s notice. Also, empty space gives your eyes a place to rest in a calm and peaceful environment. Increased Efficiency: A cluttered home is overwhelming. With so much excess, it’s difficult to find what you’re looking for. And it’s probably why the average person loses 9 items a day. Clutter leads to wasted time and frustration. By simplifying, you can streamline your space and make it easier to find the items you need. Improved Mental Clarity: A cluttered environment is distracting. Piles in every room represent another task on your never-ending-to-do-list. This makes it difficult to think clearly and be productive. Decluttering and simplifying allows you to manage your home with ease. Financial Benefits: Decluttering and saving money go hand in hand. In an organized home, you can find items instead of repurchasing. And with a desire to own less, you’re more intentional about purchases, saving more and spending less. Increased Happiness and Less Stress: A cluttered environment is stressful and contributes to anxiety. While a clutter-free space is calming and even helps you sleep better. With an organized home, you also have time to do the things you enjoy.

10 Tips to Declutter and Downsize as Empty Nesters

I’m guessing you’d love to experience those benefits and more in a clutter-free and organized home? And you can. If you’re an empty nester looking to declutter and downsize, here are 10 tips to get started.

1. Understand Your Why

Identify what your goal is with decluttering and downsizing. Why do you want to do this work? Do you want less stuff to take care of? Are you preparing for a move? Would you like more time to travel or spend with family? Whatever the reason, it will help you make confident decisions about your possessions if you understand your why.

2. Keep Items

Think about the items you want to keep. Write a list for each room. If you’re moving to a new home, prioritize the furniture you want to take and make sure it will fit. Most people have more furniture than they need. Allow time to sell and donate large pieces you cannot take with you. I recommend reducing furniture at least 6-9 months before your house goes on the market. Getting rid of furniture takes time.

3. Room-by-Room

Work through each room, easiest to hardest. Start with a few small spaces to gain momentum. Then consider this order: your car, living room/family room, bedroom, clothing closet, bathroom, kitchen, home office, guest room, storage, garage, attic, basement, and very last, sentimental stuff. Go room by room and make a pile of items to keep, donate, and throw away. Dispose of all the piles before you move on to another room. Be honest with yourself about which items you truly need and use, and let go of the rest.

4. Donate vs Sell

Make weekly trips to your favorite donation center. And fill your trash can for every pick up. Don’t miss the opportunity to use a service you are already paying for once or twice a week.

If you’re tackling the entire house and debt is not an issue for your family, donate most of the items you are getting rid of. This is much more motivating and allows you to help others.  Selling will slow you down and can be very discouraging.

5. Get Help

Consider hiring a professional organizer or decluttering coach to help you declutter and downsize. They can provide valuable guidance and suggestions for how and where to donate various items. And they can tell you what items are not able to be donated. This knowledge will save you time and money.

6. Be a Good Donor

Donate items that are in good condition. Use your excess to give back to the community and help those in need. But if you wouldn’t gift the item to a friend then it is probably not a good donation. If you’re ever unsure about a donation just ask me!

7. Sell Some

Sell items you’re sure there is a market for. Research online selling sites first. Limit selling to items where the price is worth your time and effort.

8. Avoid Storage Units

Moving items into storage will just delay the decision. The rental cost of a storage unit means you are re-buying your possessions over and over again. 

9. Ask for Help

Do this work with a friend.  They can offer support, encouragement, and an objective perspective when you get stuck.

10. Take Your Time

You didn’t accumulate all this stuff overnight so it is going to take some time to reduce it. Be patient with yourself. And resist the urge to just throw in the towel. I recommend starting this work 1-2 years before moving to a smaller home. If you’re not planning to move in the near future, great! Start now and reap the rewards of clutter-free living.

Conclusion

Finally, remember that decluttering and downsizing is an ongoing process. It’s not something you do once and move on. Be sure to routinely review and question items you haven’t used in a while. Make regular trips to the donation center to keep clutter out of your house for good.

Downsizing takes time, discipline and commitment to see it through and then keep it that way. But it is a very rewarding process for empty nesters. By following these tips and staying focused on your goals, you can completely declutter your home and simplify your life.

All for the better, I promise.

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About the Author: Amy Slenker-Smith is a living simply coach and writer at Simply Enough. She lives near Washington DC with her husband Steve, son Zack and Zeke the cat.