HARDCORE DECLUTTERING – OLIVIA’S STORY
Decluttering is a very hot topic with the downsizing that’s happening all around Adelaide. Today we bring you a true ‘hardcore’ decluttering story. Yes, there are lots of lovely TV shows about decluttering, but not all of us have the budget or the inclination to get in a profession team to help.
Here’s what happened when Olivia* helped her mum and dad declutter in preparation to move into a smaller home…
From a big old house to a smaller modern one
“Mum and dad had lived in their lovely, big, 4-bedroom home on a double block for over 20 years. But now it was time to move. They were lucky enough to find and buy a smaller, more modern home on a smaller block in the same suburb, which was great. The only problem was mum wanted to take everything — but there was no way on earth they were going to fit everything into their new home!
DECLUTTERING TIP:
Don’t take everything to your new home and sort it out there — it will never happen! Bite the bullet and declutter as much as possible before your move.
Mum was a bit of a hoarder
Dad was quite willing to ‘chuck everything out’ but mum is a serious hoarder. This, coupled with her fragile state of mind and memory loss, presented a big challenge!
Two months of decluttering drama
It took me two months of my child-free weekends, from Friday mornings to Sunday nights, for me to get the job done. To give you a bit of an idea of what it was like, here are just a few decluttering highlights:
- discussions about a postcard that mum wouldn’t part with sent to her from someone that she couldn’t remember
- suitcases full of clothes from 50 years ago that she didn’t want to let go of – she loved them, but couldn’t fit into them and was never going to wear them again
- mum throwing boxes across the kitchen (lucky they were empty! lucky they missed!)
It was all worth it in the end
Today, mum and dad are settled in their comfy new home, super happy and absolutely loving it. I’m really glad that I was able to help them and very happy that mum can’t remember the drama at all!”
Need help decluttering? Give us a call
Not every family has someone as brave as Olivia! For help with decluttering the home before you (or your loved ones) downsize, call our team here at Meier Paul Real Estate on 0433 815 582 We’d love to have a chat with you, and then recommend the right person to give you a hand to make your decluttering journey a lot less stressful. It will truly be a weight off your mind — and your new home.
*Names have been changed to protect the guilty.
For more information on downsizing watch our interview with a panel of experts on downsizing …
