Downsizing Made Simple: Making Space for How You Live Now
- Cathy Borg
- Jan 21
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 26
“I’m maintaining a museum, not living in a home.”
That’s what one of my clients said after spending an entire Saturday cleaning rooms no one had used in months. She wasn’t joking.
Most people don’t wake up thinking “I need to downsize.” They wake up tired of managing rooms they don’t use, climbing stairs they'd rather not.
Does that sound familiar? It may be that your home no longer works for how you live today.
A word to the wise. People who start thinking about downsizing earlier have more control over their choices.
What Downsizing Isn't, and What It Is
Don’t be put off by the word downsizing.
Downsizing isn’t about getting rid of everything you own.
It isn’t about living with very little.
And it isn’t about making decisions before you’re ready.
Downsizing is about recognizing when something has changed and what used to work for you no longer does.
It means taking an honest look at whether your home still supports your daily life.
When downsizing goes well, people notice fewer everyday hassles.
Daily life at home becomes easier to manage.
So the goal isn’t an empty house.
The goal is a home that works for you and is easier and safer to live in.
When Downsizing Gets Put Off
One professional couple hired me just before their move. They had planned to deal with their belongings later, but the timeline collapsed. With almost no time left, they had to make decisions under pressure, and many of their things ended up on the sidewalk for anyone to take.
They didn’t feel relieved. They felt upset about the choices they had to make and how those choices happened.
When downsizing is delayed, people often lose control over possessions they care about.
Not making a choice is still a choice. It usually means someone else, or circumstances, will decide for you.
Thinking ahead doesn’t mean rushing. It means giving yourself the chance to make decisions you can live with.
When Downsizing Is Necessary
People sometimes reach out after a serious change such as a divorce, a death, a health issue, or financial strain.
But for most people, the reason isn’t that clear-cut.
Instead, it’s the steady pressure of daily life.
Every day tasks take more effort than they used to.
Some of the homes are more difficult to manage.
What once worked starts getting in the way.
Life changes how you use your home, even when the house itself hasn’t changed.
Your needs are different now.
Downsizing helps make your home a better match for how you live today.
Why Downsizing Is Really About Fit
Many people think of downsizing as a numbers problem. They focus on square footage or how many boxes will be needed.
In practice, downsizing is about fit. It means adjusting your home and belongings so they match how you’re living now.
For people who plan to stay where they are, this is often called rightsizing. The goal is a home that takes less effort to manage and works better with daily routines over time.
You may still live in the same house, but you’re using it differently than you once did.
One couple I worked with had kept a formal dining table for years. When I asked when it was last used, the answer was simple.
“We only eat in the kitchen now. We have for years.”
The table fit an earlier life, not their day-to-day reality.
When you make decisions based on how you’re living now, your day-to-day life is easier, whether you move or stay put.
How To Start Downsizing
If the idea of downsizing everything at once feels overwhelming, start small.
Before you open a drawer or cabinet, notice where decisions are more difficult.
Some items take more thought because they’re tied to people or earlier periods in your life.
At this stage, you don’t need to decide what stays or goes. You’re simply noticing where you may need more time.
Begin in an easier area, such as a linen closet or a hallway cabinet. Early progress builds confidence and makes later decisions easier.
One woman I worked with opened her linen closet, and we found several unopened towel sets. They were leftovers from rental properties she no longer owned. She laughed and said,
“I forgot these were even here.”
Many people sort by possibility: I might need this someday.
I help people sort by reality: Have you used this recently?
She had kept the towels because they belonged to a role she no longer had. Once that was clear, the decision became straightforward.
If you’re unsure about an item, set it aside and choose a date to look at it again.
Sorting shows what you use and what no longer fits into your daily life.
Next comes deciding what to do with the items you don’t need.
In some cases, selling makes sense.
In others, donating or responsibly discarding is the right choice.
Don't be a hero and do this alone if you don’t have to.
Your time, energy, and safety matter more than handling everything on your own.
Downsizing works best when the approach fits what you can manage.
Ready for Your Next Step?
The couple who lost their belongings on the sidewalk called me again six months later. By then, they were ready to downsize their storage unit.
They told me they wished they had started earlier, when they still had more choices.
You still have choices.
Downsizing isn’t about loss. It’s about making room for the life you’re living now.
When your home fits your life again, you’re no longer maintaining a museum. You’re living in a home.
If you’re thinking about downsizing but aren’t sure what should happen next, that’s often the right time to talk.
You don’t need a plan or a deadline. You don’t need to be certain.
A conversation can help you understand your options and decide what makes sense for your life right now.
About In and Out Organizing and the Writer
Cathy Borg is a professional organizer and partner at In and Out Organizing, a Toronto-based company helping adults 55+ and their families downsize, age in place, and clear estates.
For over a decade, Cathy has worked with people who want practical help without pressure or judgment. Her work focuses on clear information, steady decision-making, and helping clients keep control over their choices.
💛 Making Space for Your Life™
Services:
Contact:416-859-0518