Down, But Not Out: The Clutter Fairy Guide to Downsizing - The Clutter Fairy Weekly

Moving to a smaller home is a complex process that requires careful planning and tough decisions. But sooner or later, we all need to reduce our possessions, either to fit in a smaller space or so we can comfortably age in place. In episode #211 of The Clutter Fairy Weekly, Gayle Goddard, professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas, explores the challenges of shifting to a smaller space and applies downsizing lessons to “right-sizing” the stuff in our cluttered homes.
Show notes: cfhou.com/tcfw211
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:55 Discussion of the last Weekly Tittle
10:50 Main topic: Down, But Not Out: The Clutter Fairy Guide to Downsizing
36:10 Next episode’s details
36:25 Weekly Tittle
38:15 Viewer questions and comments re: downsizing
54:41 Closing announcements
The Clutter Fairy Weekly is a live webcast and podcast designed to help you clear your clutter and make space in your home and your life for more of what you love. We meet Tuesdays at noon (U.S. Central Time) to answer your decluttering questions and to share organizing tools and techniques, success stories and “ah-hah!” moments, seasonal suggestions, and timeless tips.
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[@sarahnp490]

Thank you for addressing deep grief. I did not realize how much grief has impacted my de-cluttering. Little by slow, little by slow has been my motto. I didn't stop completely, but I was careful not to let go of the personal stuff too soon. Slow progress is still progress!

[@user-le5cg4tf6y]

I love listening to you guys every week

[@carolalexander1429]

No one tells middle aged people these times in their lives are coming, and what a shock! We are planning on retirement in two years and I found your discussion about what is not going with us on our downsizing adventure extremely helpful. This thought never even crossed our minds! Gardening equipment, bicycles, superfluous furniture, etc. are probably not going with us. I appreciate your mention of a temporary storage building for contemplation time during unexpected grief. ❤ ☕️

[@lambsauce1468]

I remember my grandmother happily getting rid of everything at a garage sale. When she died she had already given me a few photos and jewellery pieces which i am glad to have. My mother also gave me the art pieces my grandmother painted. I'm learning to paint now so they're useful as well as sentimental.

[@kennethbailey9853]

Now This is What it's All About ! 😊😊😊😊😊😊😊❤

[@victoriapaine8831]

Love this encouragement toward downsizing. Thanks

[@SF-ru3lp]

I think Ed and his next of kin are so right to start now working on reducing pantry items and other stored items. A year out is being good to yourself and reducing stress later. Food-wise in the freezer and food cupboard I try to have only what I'll use up in a fortnight. It is a help to me. G Ire PS Ed's parents were impressively proactive!

[@ros8986]

a little off-topic but a great quote "Guilt will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay" Ronald L. Banks' father

[@CM-wh8hn]

Dining room downsize... I gave away the top half of the china cabinet, but kept the bottom half for storage. I kept the dining table, but gave away very thick and hard to store table pads. I replaced all tablecloths, (which used to take me hours to wash, iron, and store) with linen placements. I gave away all formal "serving pieces" , and instead invested in pots/pans that go from oven/stove directly to the table beautifully. Half of the dining chairs.... I put to good use in other rooms.

[@ros8986]

Yay!!!!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@ros8986]

I found room for a case of tri-fold paper towels (sturdier and MUCH more space efficient than rolls) in the linen closet because we don't have lots of bedding). also room for my beloved rainbow vacuum.

[@deawallace3584]

I am planning a move, and have been considering what to do with my Rainbow vacuums. I rarely use them, (actually never) but do not want to give them up. I used them for years, now I have a HEPA wet-dry vac that works as well. OK, I am talking myself into giving the Rainbows away.

[@ros8986]

@@deawallace3584 Do mention that the recipient should clean the piece (plastic, flared cup shape that had many slits) should be cleaned each time with a stiff toothbrush. Also our local vacuum shop (sells and repairs) owner (in his 70's) says he likes the old rainbow D series more than the newer E series.

[@darbymori350]

Love seeing Franklie 😺

[@bcase5328]

31:40-45, 37:05 is a good thought exercise regarding your priorities; where does each item rank versus the space? If you want a real challenge, imagine moving into a 45 by 8.5 ft tiny home while subtracting wall and furnishings space, and keeping safety walkway/escape paths empty (with exit windows/doors). (Don't forget the space plumbing, central heating/cooling, and electrical require.)

[@deawallace3584]

I am grieving the loss of my spouse to dementia, and am now getting ready to move across the country closer to family. We have a 55x75 shop full, and most I do not want to get rid of.

[@A222Z]

A message to my younger self = i would have appreciated the little that i had & embraced it instead of feeling deprived. .. i would have embraced minimalism, although that would have been opposite of what society was telling us to do. Minimalism & Atomic Habits have been game changers financially for me & in all areas of my life.😊

[@erikasinternetgerat8019]

pantry: i have one cupboard with three shelves as a panty. i tell you, to keep a certain turnaround and use up the food regularly, this is still very much space.

[@CM-wh8hn]

"A little bit of knowledge...goes a long way". I will declutter at the speed of light, once I learn Why some things are bad for my health, safety... and especially the health of my grandchildren and children. For example, when I learned that there was dangerous lead in my mugs, dishes, and glasses.. .I disposed of them immediately. Most of my candles, toiletries, teflon kitchen pans, plastic food storage tubs were loaded with "forever" chemicals, that can cause cancer. It was easy to declutter my pantry and frig , when I learned which foods were full of bad chemicals. This year, I even learned that most chocolates have dangerous levels of lead and cadmium. . Safer, healthier food, housewares, and even furniture and clothing can be more expensive. So this is causing me to buy a lot less of everything... which is a good thing. that means I have fewer things to deal with, as I am downsizing. I desperately wish I had known these health and safety risks decades ago, when I was raising my children. But at least now, I can be 100% safer with my grandchildren.

[@maryweavergouwens4737]

Very impressive efforts! I am now thinking about the "things" I think I need to keep! If it is bad for me, spouse, family or peoples of the world and our environment, there is no longer an argument! Out it goes!

[@ros8986]

Chemical perfumes in products cause asthma for many people. Also Clean My Space youtube channel by professional cleaner has videos on DIY totally non-toxic cleaners and the best and most efficient way to clean all areas of your home.

[@DB-fq8kp]

Cas said your stuff is not a cat, you don’t have to rehome it.

[@bcase5328]

Being allowed to purchase any thing on the list, but only being allowed to purchase things written on to the list before you leave home helps with budgeting.

[@CM-wh8hn]

Ed, could you give us updates as you downsize your pantry? I am a home cook like you, but even storing spices drive me crazy, they take up so much room. It might just be those small jars get on my nerves. Larger bottles (like for olive oil) do not bother me. I try to remember spices are FOOD, and will expire just as food would. But spices are so expensive, I find myself stocking up when they go on sale. and then they are difficult to store. any advice would be appreciated. Also, Gayle. I have downsized my dining room to just the basics (I commented below on dining room downsizing). But now I also am putting the word out there to relatives, that when I actually move out....who wants my large dining room table and sideboard and 8 chairs? If more than one family wants the furniture, I will have them literally toss a coin.

[@TheClutterFairy]

Great plan!!

[@kennethbailey9853]

😄