HI Natalie,

I’m so glad to have you here and that you wrote in.

And you definitely have some challenges coming up, but I can tell you are an upbeat/optimistic person and that’s more than half of the battle! I just helped a friend go through the same downsize and it isn’t easy, but it is doable.

1. Do little bits at a time and give yourself a reward of some type…from sitting and enjoying your favorite show or a small purchase, like your favorite candle. This applies to all challenges, from trying to downsize or lose a little weight.
2. Find a good podcast to listen to as your sort through. Not only will it keep you entertained, but if you are prone to get too ‘in your head’ it will help with that.
3. You need to be really ruthless as to what stays and what goes. My girlfriend made some lovely dolls in the past and had all her doll-making stuff. But her kids don’t want dolls anymore, so she really had to ask herself why she would keep that stuff.
4. Find a ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook group in your area. My experience was that I would put stuff on the FB group, then put it on my front porch and it’d be gone before the end of the day. No more driving around with stuff in your car until you stop at Goodwill.
5. I donated a bunch a yarn to our senior center, who makes baby hats for newborns. It hurts less to donate your good yarn when you know it is being put to good use.
6. As it relates to cooking/baking gear; do you have friends/family with similar interests? Are there things that your sister has that you could borrow if you donated yours?
7. Domestic Violence shelters are always looking for cooking/baking supplies.
8. Bottom line, you just really to pick up everything in your home and ask hard questions about it.
9. Find an accountability partner or someone to help. Sounds like you have that in your sister! That’s wonderful

I have a couple of posts that might be useful:

https://nourishandnestle.com/downsizing-tips/
https://nourishandnestle.com/how-to-declutter-10-questions-to-ask-yourself/

Keep me posted on your progress! And I’ll keep thinking of suggestions.

You’ve got this, girl!

Look forward to hearing your thoughts Lynn,
Natalie

Thanks Katrin…you now know my weak spot…In fact, Terry and I are on a little road trip right now and we stopped at a couple antique stores and what did I buy? 2 old milk jars, a big metal box and a wire oyster crate. Just realized that! Too funny. Thanks for visiting my friend.
Hugs Ltnn

Thanks Michelle! Having spiffy containers always motivates me to get my organization on! Really appreciate you swinging by and leaving your kind comments.

Wishing you a lovely weekend.

Hugs, Lynn

Hi Nikki…thanks so much for swinging by and leaving your kind words. I’m with you that the repurposed drawers are my favorite, but do have a penchant for any kind of unique storage solutions. It is fun to find different ways to store items. That wire basket had been sitting in my garage for years before I considered it for Kate’s toilet paper. So go search your garage!
Wishing you a wonderful Thursday!

hugs, Lynn

Thanks Elizabeth…I do too! I know it may seem like a silly thing to many, but I am so much more inclined to stay organized if my organization looks pretty! Just how I am.
Thanks for coming by and for leaving your sweet comment.

Hugs, LYnn