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Life is not all about stuff...
Quite a statement for someone who is a Downsizing Diva by day... and a collector and shopper by night!
Helping people downsize and move is a very emotional process and we do our work WITH our clients, not TO them. Most moving and/or downsizing projects begin with the stuff because that's what everyone sees.
But, how many times have you craved more space and realized that you really have enough space, you just have too much stuff!
At some of our presentations, we showcase a few of our favourite things - a jar of pen springs, a container of twist ties, a tin of lottery tickets, a bag of swizzle sticks. Then, we watch audience members nudge each other and laugh at what our family and friends have collected over the years.
It's often easier to help other people let go of their stuff than it is to let go of our own stuff. We tell our unique stories about our stuff to anyone and everyone who will listen. It's no wonder letting go of stuff is so challenging!
The decision to move to a smaller home is the most common reason for downsizing. When you have years of memories to choose from, selecting just the right items to take along for the next part of your journey is critical.
Will you miss some of those items you sell or donate? Maybe, but the space you will free up in your new home will be worth it.
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Avoid becoming a victim of unplanned downsizing...
Summertime and the livin' is easy!
You may be so busy thinking about short day-trips, long weekends and different routines that you may let down your guard. This may be when burglars are hard at work in your neighbourhood wanting to help you with a bit of unplanned downsizing!
Recently we received an email with these lines that burglars might say that will give you food-for-thought AND ideas for action:
- Of course I look familiar. I was at your house just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters or delivering your new refrigerator.
- I really do look for newspapers piled up on your driveway. By the way, I might leave a flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.
- If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let the alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
- I will break a window to get in, even if it makes a bit of noise. If a neighbour hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and listen. If he doesn't hear any more noise, he will go back to what he was doing. It's human nature!
- Don't announce your vacation, or any other events you're participating in, on social media. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
- You might think that leaving a window open just a bit during the day is a good way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an open invitation!
- If you don't answer when I knock, I'll try the door. Sometimes, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
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Thought for August:
Organizing is what you do before you do something,
so that when you do it, it's not all mixed-up!
- Christopher Robin
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Go ahead, make our day!
If you know someone who would enjoy reading about Downsizing Diva, we would love you to help us spread the word by sending them a copy of this Newsletter.
Just like the shampoo commercial where the woman says, "I told 2 friends and they told 2 friends and they told 2 friends..."
We would be thrilled if you told your friends or family members so they could enjoy the tips, tricks and techniques we use to help people simplify, organize, lighten-up, downsize and move!!! |
