Tag Archive for: decluttering

Embrace Your Inner Swede and Lagom Your Life

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Do you ever feel like you have too much of some things and not enough of others? Perhaps too much clutter and not enough open space? Too much to do and not enough time to do it in? Too much stress and not enough calm?

If the “too much/too little” battle seems like a constant struggle, consider adopting lagom. Lagom is a Swedish lifestyle that translates to “having just the right amount – not too much, and not too little.”

Many believe that the word lagom comes from the time when Swedish farmers and Vikings shared drinks communally from the same horn or bowl. In this sense, lagom is seen as a force for good, connecting people to place and community, both crucial ingredients to the Swedish way of life.

What can we learn from the land of intentional design, minimalist décor, capsule wardrobes and IKEA?

Think of lagom as a process where you de-clutter and simplify your life in order to increase emotional wellbeing. What’s not to like?  When we feel like we belong in our space, have balance in our life, and a shared responsibility to our community, we tend to feel better.

So, why it is that even when we know what is just right/enough, we go overboard into excess?

Is it societal pressure to consume? The ease in which we can purchase goods 24/7? Our inability to make decisions about our belongings? All of the above?!

By implementing the “lightweight lifestyle” of lagom into our lives, how we create happiness increases. By having a more lagom life, we are apt to feel more connected, intentional and purposeful. Specific benefits include:

  • physical: less material obsession, less consumption, more de-cluttering, less cleaning
  • mental: stops mind from spiraling, more focus, embrace life consciously, more creativity
  • financial: improves as consumption decreases, thriftier, re-use items

According to Niki Brantmark, author of Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life, “lagom is about finding a balance that works for you. It encourages curiosity and experimentation versus rigid definitions of what “just right” looks like.”

Brantmark’s top three lagom suggestions:

  1. Streamline your bedroom:Create a clean, calm space that de-clutters your mind and restores your body so you feel organized. Only keep out the essentials.
  2. Keep your space clutter-free: Manage the reality (and overwhelm) of clutter by putting items away, or in a basket/bag so they can be put away later. Donate/sell/discard what’s not being used.
  3. Make sustainability a priority. Less lights, more candles, less plastic, more re-usable mugs, bottles and bags, shop gently used, and eat your leftovers!

“Applying a sense of lagom to our everyday lives—in how we live, work, eat and play – might just be the trick for embracing a more balanced, sustainable lifestyle that welcomes the joy of existence rather than those of consumption”, states Anna Brones in her book, Live Lagom: Balanced Living the Swedish Way.

At Simply Home Downsizing, we often work with clients who are trying to achieve “just the right amount” in their home, often showing up in the form of de-cluttering, organizing and downsizing. By adopting the Swedish lagom approach, we can all work towards living a more balanced, sustainable life on our own terms.

Whether you need to organize your own space, help a loved one move into a smaller home, or manage an estate clearing, our team of experienced professionals will guide you carefully and comfortably to your desired result. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

~ The Simply Home Downsizing Team

How To Cope With Downsizing And Selling Your Beloved Possessions

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Simply Home’s Pauline was featured in an article by Toronto Storeys titled “How to Cope with Downsizing and Selling Your Beloved Possessions”. Click here to read the full article!

To Rent a Storage Unit or Not…That is the Question!

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The comfort of consumption leads many of us to buy a lot of things; things we need, use, and love, along with plenty of things we don’t need, use, or care for.  Which means we end up accumulating a lot in our homes.

So, what do we do when there is more stuff than we can handle or store in our homes? Rent a storage unit!

Why You Should Rent a Storage Unit

Now, there are several good reasons to rent a storage unit, namely when you are moving from one home to another and the latter isn’t yet ready; you live in a city where living space is extremely costly and storing items makes better financial sense (think New York City), or you have seasonal equipment, large vehicles, etc.

Renting a storage unit for a few months can be a good temporary solution for many people. However, once you leave items in a storage unit for more than a year, the rental is no longer temporary and may not make financial or practical sense.

According to the Self Storage Association, more than half of rental units are kept for more than a year, so, what is really driving the self-storage industry, and why?

In most scenarios, it is simply a case of owning too much stuff and having a hard time letting go of it.  According to the Self Storage Association (SSA), in 1995, only one in 17 households rented a self-storage unit, whereas in 2008, one in 10 households rented a unit. We can guess why – just look at how many people are shopping at Walmart, IKEA, Costco, and online merchants every single day!

How Much Does a Storage Unit Cost?

Reports indicate that the average national monthly cost of a climate-controlled rental space ranges from $1.00 to $1.63 per square foot, which translates to about $1,300 – $2,000 a year for a 10’ x 10’ unit.

However, a storage unit’s price will greatly depend on a variety of factors, including the size of the unit, where you’re renting the unit and how long you’re renting the unit. Other special features that can be purchased include climate control, indoor unit versus an outdoor unit, items stored (RV vs. boxes), level of service (self-service vs. full service), add-ons such as packing bins and supplies, labour, and insurance (many storage items can be covered by “off-premises home insurance coverage”),

So why are People Paying These Hefty Fees?

Here’s how we are justifying the rental of all these storage units:

  1. Attachment to Stuff

For many people, getting rid of things is extremely difficult – it’s emotional and carries great weight.  A person might find it necessary to rent storage unit in order to house all this “necessary” stuff.

  1. Future Needs

If you are storing things that no longer fit or “work” in your new home, thinking that you may use these things in the future or “just in case,” you’re paying a hefty price to hold onto them. Unless your downsizing project is temporary, it’s time to sell or donate your items, and live in the here and now.

  1. Too Busy to Sell My Things

Having a yard sale or selling items on eBay or Facebook is a good way to deal with too much stuff.  Planning ahead and thinking through options before a move and subsequent rental of a storage unit makes good sense. If it is too much, hire someone to help.

  1. Too Busy to Get Rid of My Things

By leaving items in a storage unit indefinitely, you are paying a lot month after month. As the years go by, a storage unit can turn into a huge financial loss. Feeling overwhelmed and ill-equipped to deal with stuff is one reason people procrastinate, according to Psychology Today. Therefore, if it is too hard to do it yourself, hire a professional and just do it.

According to Simply Home Downsizing’s Pauline Duhart, “Indecision about what to do with extra items comes down to procrastination. People end up spending money on storage units because it is hard to make a decision.

A few questions to ask yourself as you are looking at your overstuffed garage, attic, closets and basements, include:

Would You Buy it Today? 

If you’re no longer using clothes that are out of style or furniture you put away to make room for new items in your re-modelled home, why save them?

Is it Easily Replaceable? 

Consider the 20/20 rule. If you have a used possession that you could repurchase for less than $20 or borrow it from a neighbour in 20 minutes or less, time to let it go.

Will One be Enough? 

Memorabilia and family keepsakes are an important part of peoples’ lives for sure. Perhaps choosing one truly memorable item makes sense. One item of value can keep the connection to the person/experience, no need for duplicates.

Can I Make Some Money by Letting go of Things?

Thanks to Kijiji, Craig’s List, Facebook and MaxSold, there are many opportunities to earn money by keeping less.

“We can help people transition away from renting a storage unit by de-cluttering, downsizing and organizing items before a move or transition, so that clients avoid renting a storage unit at all, saving money, time, and resources”, says Duhart.

 

Whether you need to organize your own space, help a loved one move into a smaller home, or manage an estate clearing, our team of experienced professionals will guide you carefully and comfortably to your desired result. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

 

~ The Simply Home Team

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How Döstädning – a.k.a Swedish Death Cleaning – Can Work For You

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Having recently worked with clients who, due to a death of a parent, have had to deal with de-cluttering and organizing the family home, we know how stressful this process can be. Decisions such as: what to keep, what to let go of, who gets to decide, which items can be sold/donated/given to other family members all come into play. These tasks are challenging to complete at the best of times, so when emotions are running high and grieving may be taking place, these tasks can become completely overwhelming.

The good news is there is a solution and it comes from Sweden.

What is Swedish Death Cleaning?

Swedish Death Cleaning, or “Döstädning”, is a process whereby you remove unnecessary things and get your home in order BEFORE you die.

This may sound a bit morbid, but you do this so that your loved ones don’t have to once you pass on. You get to be the designer of your own legacy, making it easier for your loved ones to deal with your life’s belongings, when you no longer can. It’s a de-cluttering approach that asks you to make decisions about your belongings in the present, so that your loved ones don’t have to do it for you once you pass on.

According to Margareta Magnusson, author of The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, “you won’t be taking any of it with you, so why hold onto it now?”

Only Keep What You Love

Not unlike Marie Kondo and her KonMari method of editing every category in your home, Magnusson suggests we keep only what we love, and what makes us happy in the moment. She goes on to suggest many ways in which to discard, donate or pass on unwanted items to those who can benefit in the present. She is not a minimalist, and does suggest you carefully consider items such as photographs, love letters, and a few of your children’s art projects, a few being the key word here.

If you choose to keep what YOU feel is important, your loved ones will be relieved that you made the decision and now they don’t have to!

If anyone has dealt with the process of “cleaning house” after a loved one has passed on, you know that often many things are left behind. Things you do not always know what to do with. As organizers we often help family members make decisions about the best course of action. The less deciding there is to do, the smoother the process goes, and the easier it is to manage expectations and potential resentments.

Understandably, the concept of death cleaning may be hard for some of us to consider. Who wants to consider their death prematurely?

Magnusson has this to say on the topic. ”Death cleaning isn’t the story of death, but rather the story of life, YOUR life. You choose which memories to keep – expunging the bad ones in favour of keeping the happy ones which will become happy memories for others.

Döstädning principles can be applied whenever you do a thorough cleaning, to make your life easier and more pleasant. It does not necessarily have to do with age or death, although in recent years the practice has become more popular as many people recognize the burden of leaving behind a home full of items.

How We Can Help

Magnusson has one more suggestion. After each “death cleaning” episode, big or small, treat yourself to something you love, because this process is about living life with more ease in the present.

And if you need support, please reach out to us at Simply Home Downsizing, we are here to help!

~ The Simply Home Team

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Preparing for an “Heirloom Avalanche”

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What do families do when one generation wants to pass on their “valuable” family heirlooms to a younger generation, but there are no takers?

As someone in the “sandwich generation” (raising my own child while also caring for my aging parents), I think about the day when my parents (ages 77 and 84) will be moving out from their house of 50+ years. Their decision might be to downsize due to financial concerns, reduced mobility, increased health-care requirements, or social isolation.

Whatever the reason, there will be many decisions to make, including what to do with the many items accumulated over the years. Some will be easier to deal with than others  – furniture can be sold, clothing and household items can be donated, papers can be recycled, but what will my sister and I do with the items that my parents want to “keep in the family”, as family heirlooms, passed down from one generation to the next?

An Aging Population 

Statistics Canada reports that 1,000 Canadians will be turning 65 every day for the next 20 years, which means a significant increase in downsizing, and by extension, an increase in the desire to find new homes for heirloom treasures. The “heirloom avalanche” is happening and will only continue to grow as baby boomers age and try to purge and pass on their heirlooms to their children or someone else.

Learning to Say No  

I wonder how I can I say “no” to the china set? The brass collection? The end tables from Colombia? The crests from Hungary? Don’t get me wrong, my parents have great taste and there are several items I know my sister and I will enjoy keeping in our families (I do love the Colombian dish set and decorative brass wall plate!), but there is simply too much stuff for us to take. We don’t have room for it all – real estate in my house is valuable – and with more focus on decluttering, living with less, and choosing experiences over stuff, many “treasured heirlooms” that would have been passed down through the generations, may have reached the end of their life.

But how to say “thanks, but no thanks” to the items my parents feel are special and valuable, and want to pass down, without hurting their feelings?

How to Prepare

What can families do to prepare for a possible “Heirloom Avalanche”?

  • Protect your relationships. Be honest and open about the process and discuss how you will proceed as a family.
  • Sort through family items together, reminiscing and reflecting on their meaning along the way. Often taking the time to do this eases the process of letting family heirlooms go.
  • Donate special items to charities and organizations you and your family feel strongly about.
  • Sell your special items in an auction, consignment shop or online (i.e. Kijiji, Facebook Buy & Sell groups).
  • Hire someone to coordinate a contents sale, either online (i.e. Maxsold) or onsite. The cost is usually based on a commission split of items sold.
  • Book an antique dealer or appraiser to visit your house, look at your treasures and make you an offer.
  • Hold a garage sale, which is a good way to connect with neighbours and locals, but not always the best way to make money. Successful garage sales require time and energy, not to mention good weather!

How We Can Help

When dealing with family heirlooms, the key is to take it step by step to determine what works best for these special items. Letting go of items that no longer fit your lifestyle, at any age, is a challenge. As professional organizers, we can help support your process, avoiding the stress of an heirloom avalanche down the road.

Whether you need to organize your own space, help a loved one move into a smaller home, or manage an estate clearing, our team of experienced professionals will guide you carefully and comfortably to your desired result. Contact us today  to learn more about our services.

Until Next Time,

~ The Simply Home Downsizing Team

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More Clarity, Less Clutter Through Essentialism

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Do you ever feel the relentless pressure to do, and have, it all? Or feel overwhelmed by the prospect of de-cluttering and pairing down what you own? Do you find it hard to keep your momentum going once you start?

If you are committed to de-cluttering your belongings, streamlining your space, and letting go of the things you no longer need, these feeling are natural. To combat what I deem progress inhibitors, you may want to consider the way of the Essentialist.

Based on ideas of Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown and my own personal experiences as an organizer, the philosophy of “less, but better” truly can help. It allows us gain more clarity, control and joy throughout the process of streamlining our space, belongings, and life.

So, what is Essentialism? According to McKeown, it’s the “systematic discipline of exploring what is absolutely essential, eliminating everything else, and executing a clear plan towards success.”

Why choose essentialism?

By doing so, we can actively choose to live by design; rather than by default, and reclaim control over our choices. Sounds like a great approach. But as we know, it’s not always easy to implement good ideas. Realistic goals must be set, decisions must be made, and courage is required.

McKeown teaches that the essentialist uses a disciplined 3-step approach to evaluate the use of any given thing in your life. Using a closet bursting at the seams with clothes, accessories and more (feel free to substitute any other cluttered space you might have!), below is an example of how to tackle the de-cluttering of that closet using this approach.

Step 1: Explore and Evaluate

Start with your end goal in mind. Ask yourself: How do I want to feel when I open my closet? What items need to be easily accessible? How do I deal with things I no longer need or use? How much time and effort should/can I put into this process? What will be my biggest challenge in all of this?

Step 2: Eliminate

Actively sort clothes & accessories into keep, donate and undecided piles. For the undecided pile, pick up each item and ask, “Would I buy this item at full price if I didn’t already have it?” “Does this item bring me joy?” (Thanks Marie Kondo for popularizing this phrase!) And “Is this representative of me at this time in my life?”

Step 3: Execute

Systematize your actions to stay sorted, tidy and organized. Maybe it’s a one item in, one item out policy, or a monthly purge or seasonal edit – do whatever works for you. Keeping a reusable bag close by for unused items and making sure you know where and when to drop off/donate these things, helps. Removing obstacles (i.e.: not enough time, competing interests, lack of initiative, feeling overwhelmed) and celebrating small wins (i.e.: “I donated two bags to a women’s shelter”) are keys to staying motivated and committed to the process.

This 3-step Essentialist approach takes focus, commitment and stamina to be carried out successfully. Knowing what activities and efforts are needed to keep progressing is key. It ensures that there will be fewer roadblocks in the way.

“It’s like dislodging a boulder at the top of a hill – all it takes is a small shove and then momentum naturally builds,” says McKeown.

Keep At It!

Sometimes we get off to a great start, but then become stuck in indecision. It usually sounds something like this: “I may need this in the future,” “My grandmother gave this to me,” or “My kids might want this.” What to do then?

Try the 90 percent rule. When making decisions, think about the single most important criterion for that decision and give it a score between 0 – 100. If you rate it below 90, it automatically becomes a 0 and you reject it – no more should I or shouldn’t I with something that rates 65%! So, if wearability is your most important criterion, pick up the item, score it out of 100. If it scores above 90, keep it, if below 90, time to let it go.

Although our lives aren’t static like the clothes in our closet, we can use the same Essentialist approach of exploring & evaluating options, eliminating the unnecessary, and executing the plan when it comes to making life decisions. Only we know what is essential in our lives, and hopefully an essentialist approach can help us achieve more clarity and joy, with less stress and clutter. In order to live to our highest potential. Remember, less but better.

Whether you need to organize your own space, help a loved one move into a smaller home, or manage an estate clearing, our team of experienced professionals will guide you carefully and comfortably to your desired result. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

~ The Simply Home Team