Arista Wins Top Workplaces AwardI love selling real estate and my enthusiasm resonates with my clients! I ensure the buyers and sellers I work with successfully move onto the next phase of their journey by making Your Home, My Passion. I was born & raised in Maumee, OH and began selling real estate in 2006. I am an Associate Broker with The Danberry Co and have additional certifications including Certified Residential Specialist, Accredited Buyers Representative, and Senior Real Estate Specialist. I am grateful to all my clients over the years and look forward to assisting many more people with their real estate needs in the years to come.
Downsize Your Life: By Brooke Michel-Yussim
In our fast-paced world, it’s astonishing how much stuff we accumulate over time. Many of us find ourselves drowning in our possessions, often without realizing it. If you’ve been in the same home for a decade or more, it’s all too easy to lose track of what’s been piling up. However, clutter is not just a visual annoyance; it can have a profound impact on your mental and physical well-being. The chaos can be incredibly distracting, causing spikes in stress levels and even straining personal relationships. Beyond that, it can pose safety hazards and make your living space far from enjoyable.
But fear not, there’s an Upside to Downsizing! To help you create a healthier, more harmonious living environment, here are some valuable tips for decluttering your home.
1. Reach Out to Loved Ones: One person’s clutter might be another’s treasure. Reach out to your kids and grandkids, offering them items you no longer use or need. Not only does this open space in your home, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to involve your family in the downsizing process. It’s often easier and more enjoyable when you have company!
2. Plan for Your New Space: If you’re moving to a new place, it’s crucial to know what you’re working with. Measure your new living space to get a clear picture of what will fit. This will help you decide which personal items to take with you and which to let go of. Remember, you can’t take everything with you, so plan accordingly.
3. Tackle One Room at a Time: The thought of decluttering your entire home can be overwhelming. To prevent feeling swamped, start with the smallest or least cluttered room. Set a schedule and allocate specific chunks of time to dedicate to each room. For example, block out two hours once a week on your calendar for decluttering.
4. Sort Into Piles: After each decluttering session, make sure your space remains organized. Sort your items into different piles: Keep It, Pass It Down, Donate, Sell, Trash, or Recycle. Before deciding which pile an item belongs in, ask yourself a crucial question: if it vanished tomorrow, would you rush out to replace it? If the answer is no, or if you haven’t used it in over five years, it might be time to let go.
Parting with items you’ve held onto for years can be emotionally challenging, but it’s also remarkably liberating. By embracing the downsizing process, you’ll transform your home into a more functional, safe, and enjoyable space while accomplishing a great feat for yourself.
Brooke Yussim
Associate Broker, The Danberry Co
