1.       Ideally, plan at least a year in advance for the transition of loved ones downsizing their living arrangements. The emotional impact of packing up and moving out - to what may be the last home in which they will live - is huge. Talking about it, making plans, charts, and lists will serve you well come moving day.

2.       No time like the present: even though the actual move is a year away, now is a good time to begin the process of detaching from the items you know you will not move with you. For some people it's the stereo turntable, for others it is the badminton set. There's stuff you know that isn't going to go. Now is the time donate or sell. 

3.       Letting go of the items that make you say "But I may need it someday." First, I recommend Patty Kreamer's  book by that same title. Second, ask these questions when holding on to something:  Can you borrow it? Do you have a substitute for it? Would it be too costly to repurchase it (upgrading the original as a bonus!)?  

4.       Family treasures (part one): What are they? Too many treasures are tucked away. If an adult child or grandchild happened upon some memorabilia, they may not know or understand the significance in the family lore. If you are sitting on family treasures, now is the time to bring them out, dust them off, and start a family conversation about who you are and where you come from.

5.       Family treasures (part two): Should we keep them? Only you can decide:  Who is the family most likely to keep them. Do they want them. Will they have space for them? Will a picture suffice or do they have to stay in the family? What will happen if the items are finally laid to rest (donated or trashed)?

6.       Holding on to items that make you say "I am saving this for my adult child." If you have are something that you believe your adult child should have (for whatever reason you have decided) now is the time to give them the item. If they don't want it, donate it.

7.       Miles of piles of paper: If paper were easy to go through most of us wouldn't have it everywhere. The IRS Publication 552, and Stepanie Calahan's record retention guidelines for residential papers gives you some guidance to help you make smart decisions about how to decide about documents, receipts, and the like. In March, you will be able to find an extensive and comprehensive guide called Paper: What to keep and for how long at A Clear Path website. Stay tuned.

a.       Paper bonus- Greeting cards: In a move a few years back, I de-cluttered my collection of greeting cards. I kept one card each from my sisters and parents, and from each of my deceased grandparents. I wanted written acknowledgement of their love for me. The dozens of cards they had sent over many years paled in comparison to one simply reads, "I love you."

8.       Photographs: Most people have hundreds if not thousands of photographs (one reason we have so many is because we usually take one picture 2 or 3 times!). It is now time to deal with the mass (mess?) of your pictures. First round: trash the duplicate photos, photos with people you don't know, and scenery you don't recognize. Round two: cull pictures that you want to pass along to others, and then pass them along. Third and final round: scan all the pictures that you wish to keep and create a slide show for your desktop or digital photo frame. Then sit back and watch the show.

9.       Take stock of what you've got and see how it fits (literally and figuratively) with where you (or your loved one) plan to move.  How big is the furniture? Will you need as many filing cabinets, bookcases, kitchenware, clothes, shoes, and linens?

10.   Take stock of what you need to live comfortably and happily in your new space. List everything you use regularly and that you'll likely continue to use in the next place.  This will help you get a sense of what is really important in terms of physical and spatial needs.

Advance planning for the ongoing journey will help you value what you truly value, and give you permission to release that which no longer adds value to your life, or that life of the person you love.

Good luck and call if you need me!