“Does it spark joy?” is a start, but downsizing asks gentler questions: Does it tell my story? Will I use it in five years? Would someone I love enjoy it more? Begin with duplicates (linens, cookware) and “bulky but replaceable” items (extra chairs, holiday décor). Photograph heirlooms with a sentence or two about the family memory, then gift intentionally—a niece who loves your garden books, a neighbor who adores your pie plates.

Digitize paperwork and keep originals for wills, deeds, and military records. Create a “keep footprint” tied to your next home (two closets, not five). Celebrate completions: one box a day for a month is still 30 boxes. The goal isn’t discarding a past; it’s curating what moves forward with you. Compassion—toward yourself and your history—is the secret to momentum.

Contact Sell My Parents house today to discuss your real estate needs!