Becoming An Empty Nester? Clear the Clutter!

Empty nesters.

Are you heading into the stage of life where you will soon be an empty nester? Are your children off to college? Getting married? Having children? Being an empty nester, I am sure, introduces a whole new mix of emotions. Starting a new chapter in life can be so thrilling and exciting. At the same time, you may be dreading it, knowing what it will mean. Going through YEARS of ACCUMULATION of STUFF.

You may even be thinking about moving. The appeal of less indoor/outdoor maintenance may be calling your name. Maybe you have considered remodeling your current home to fit your current needs. Whatever the need and wherever, one thing is sure: downsizing must happen.

What about when your kids come home? Will you need space for them to stay with you? If you let your house stay the same as when they left, you are leaving out room for them.

It is a hard balance, but finding a way to make their rooms YOURS, while still making YOUR room theirs, is a happy medium.

1. Start with a goal. What DO you want your house to look like? What have you dreamed of it looking like? Make it happen.

2. Take a look at everything you own: do you need it all? You may be stressed by looking at all of the clutter. The thought OF downsizing is overwhelming. Think of it this way: you can eliminate stress by eliminating the clutter. Step by step. It’s going to be hard, but go through everything. Go through all of your items that have sentimental value. Go through all of your closets. Go through everything shoved in the corners.

3. A helpful hint when going through your children’s belongings: go through them with them present. This will help you both decide if it is worth keeping or not.

4. You will soon find yourself having empty spaces. Empty space is okay because you are becoming an EMPTY nester. You SHOULD have empty space because your children should have taken their belongings with them.

Don’t dread this new chapter of life. Embrace it. Start new. Start fresh. It is YOUR home. Make it YOUR home.

Are you a recent empty nester? What changes are you making?