Scaling down, Living Large in a smaller space
Great ideas for downsizing, moving or moving a family member
This book written by Judi Culbertson and Marj Decker is a complete guide to help you declutter and move. It has practical solutions for downsizing your clothing, collections and dealing with sentimental items.
It also addresses how to move a family member to a supervised living facility. The authors remind you that if your parent can make decisions that your purpose is to help them move happily from a large space to a smaller space not make decisions for them.
It suggests that you write a book about your life, put it down in black and white. A number of different ways of recording events about your life are provided.
It has a chapter on the step-by-step process of moving into your new home. They examine the psychology of making the scaling down change.
It is a great resource to have. Who knows when you will need it.
If you need help preparing for a downsizing move book a virtual organizing appointment with me.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
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This sounds like an interesting book. I will definitely be sharing it on my social media accounts. Thanks for sharing.
It is easy to read and a great resource to start the downsizing process.
I love the book cover. It’s such a great visual for the downsizing process. It’s also wonderful that the authors include some of the psychological issues that can arise during the downsizing/moving process. It can be a highly emotional time and a major life transition. So having that extra layer of understanding is a great way to understand better what your clients or family members are experiencing.
You make a great point. Let other friends or family read the book so they can understand that it can be a difficult process to make this transition from living large to living in a new way.
One of the members of our local NAPO Chapter photographs family homes before people downsize. She has quite an eye, and captures the details that mean the most to the family, such as that special doorknob, or the giant oak tree. She puts them all into a photo book, and it becomes a special memento. Your suggestion to document everything reminded me of this service. Such a terrific idea!
I have a business associate who “writes people’s stories” about their lives. Not the exact same thing as the NAPO member but it is a point well taken to document one’s life before the memories fade.
I remember this book. I know Janice K. from the London chapter of the POC always recommended it to her senior move management clients.
I will have to track down a copy, this is right up my ally, regarding DOWNSIZING!
I hope you find it a good resource for you, your clients and their family members.
I read this book many years ago and it has some great information and gives people in this situation a lot of good talking points. Your blog has sparked me to take the book down off my shelf and reread it.
It is great to hear that I have sparked a new idea for you. Enjoy reading it.
Hi Julie
This book looks great and sounds perfect for me personally and professionally. A great review. 🙏
Enjoy the book.
I own this classic book, but it’s been a long time since I read it. Thank you for reminding me of all that it has to offer for people ready to downsize and transition their lives.
Many books can pass the test of time. Downsizing is a situation that most people will need to do at some point in their life.