Once you’ve decided to move to a senior living community, one of the next tasks at hand is to start the downsizing process. Letting go of personal belongings can be stressful for some, especially if you associate them with certain moments in your life. However, downsizing can actually bephysically and mentally beneficial,according to The Huffington Post’s spotlight of Marie Kondo’s bestselling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” When you’ve come up with a plan of action and you’re ready to tackle your home, there are some helpful questions you should ask yourself to determine what items to keep, and which items to give to family members or donate.

1. Does it have any sentimental value?

One simple way to start the downsizing process is by going through the items in your home and asking yourself if they are meaningful to you. If the answer is no, you may want to consider gifting them to a family member or donating them to a charitable cause. Not only will it make the downsizing process easier, but you can feel good about giving back to the less fortunate or gifting a family member with a prized possession.

2. Will it benefit me in my new living space?

当你搬到退休住宅时，你的新空间可能装不下你现有的所有家具，所以你需要做出一些选择。考虑一下你的新布局，问问自己:这件家具适合吗?这件物品会在我的新生活空间中对我有帮助吗?或者另一件物品会更好吗?在你开始缩小你的新房间之前，测量一下你的新房间，帮助你确切地感觉你必须工作的空间有多大，只带一些有用的或珍贵的物品或家具。

3. Have I used it recently?

If there’s an item that doesn’t have any sentimental value to you, but you are still unsure about parting with it, ask yourself: Have I used this item recently? If the answer is no, place it in the donation pile. By eliminating clutter that already exists in your current living space, you can start fresh in your new home in a clutter-free, serene suite.