Rightsizing: Guiding Your Clients Through a Seamless Transition

Downsizing for seniors

Like many things associated with aging, the concepts of downsizing and rightsizing – or choosing to live a life-with-less – tend to be viewed in a negative light. The misperception of youth equates success with luxurious possessions. But as author Kathy Gottberg states, “real luxury is not working like a maniac to take an expensive vacation – it is living a life you enjoy every day”.

For many people, retirement enables them to revel in this new version of luxury. One in which the focus is on experiences, rather than possessions. This shift often involves downsizing, reflecting a new outlook on life that isn’t about what they own or the square footage of their house. These individuals know that there are real benefits to both a life and a home, “right sized” for them.

What is “rightsizing”? Why is there such a demand for it? And what services can you, as a Certified Ultimate Professional Organizer™, offer to clients who wish to live with less?

What is Rightsizing?

“Rightsizing” and “downsizing” are concepts that many individuals use interchangeably, but while they are close in meaning, they have distinct definitions. 

While downsizing typically refers to the reduction in possessions or space, rightsizing is about “the pursuit of living big in a smaller space by making the most out of every square foot—and ensuring you actually use and enjoy the space you have.” Both approaches are more than just actions; they represent a lifestyle focused on discovering what brings joy, gives life meaning, and elicits smiles.

A client wishing to rightsize their home is looking to downsize; to move into something smaller, yet without sacrificing any indulgences. Although it a conscious decision to live with less space and less belongings, it is not about living with less comfort.

Rightsizing for your elderly parents

Why is There Such a Demand for Rightsizing?

Living with less has many benefits: less maintenance, less monthly bills, and less clutter. As the years in a home add up, so do the possessions. Choosing to pare down frees a homeowner to focus on what is important. It enables him/her to clear out years of detritus and unwanted belongings.

What was important to your client 20 or 30 years ago may not be now, especially once they retire. Because of this, rightsizing and retirement are a natural fit. The demand for this lifestyle grows as the population ages. 

The Rightsizing Services You Can Offer

As a Professional Organizer, you have an opportunity to specialize in this sector of the industry. As the number of seniors escalates, so too can your role as a Professional Organizer.

Rightsizing not only focuses on customizing the space to fit your clients’ lifestyle, but on moving them into a smaller home. Your services could incapsulate the entire transition. 

Rightsizing focuses on clearing years of clutter from your client’s home and their life and providing them with a fresh start in a new, organized space.

Pre-Move Preparation Services:

  • Decluttering and Sorting Through Your Client’s Belongings: Alone, this can be a tedious process of deciding which possessions to hold onto and which to give away. You can help your client keep the things that will fit their new lifestyle.

  • Space Planning of the New Home: Knowing the size of the individual rooms will help you and your client decide what furniture, etc. can be moved. This planning should also include the availability of storage space.

  • Organization of the items to be kept, and the items to be dispersed.

  • Packing: This could include the provision of packing materials.

  • Discussion and Scheduling of Dispersal Options: These can include auction services, family members, disposal bins, as well as donation and recycling centres.

  • Delivery of donations.

  • Labeling and Tracking of the contents of each box.

  • Arrangement of a storage pod or unit if required.

  • Selection and Scheduling of the moving company.

  • Cancellation and Rescheduling of gas, hydro, cable, and internet companies.

  • Organizing Trades for repairs or renovations.

  • Organization of Cleaning: If required, of the old home, prior to staging.

Move-In Day Services:

  • Supervising the loading and unloading of boxes.

  • Unpacking.

  • Setting up furniture, personal items, and accessories.

  • Helping clients to settle into their new home.

  • Disposal of packing materials.

  • Ensuring the client’s old home is clean and ready for the new owners.

Post Move-In Day Services:

  • Designing an organizational system, customized to each client.

  • Organizing the client’s closets, cabinets etc.

  • Establishing organizational routines.
Helping elderly parents downsize

Rightsizing and downsizing are growing trends. Individuals who embrace this way-of-life understand it’s not just about what is given up, but more importantly, what is gained.

The term itself implies growth and freedom; freedom from clutter and from a lifestyle that no longer fits their needs.

Rightsizing allows your clients to pare down their belongings to only those that truly bring joy. It’s about transitioning these cherished items into a smaller, more manageable space, reflecting the essence of rightsizing.

As a Professional Organizer, you have the expertise to assist in this downsizing journey, ensuring your clients transition to a life and a home that are the right size for them.

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