Notes From the Downsizer's Nest:

Notes from the Nest:

Common Characteristics of "Pack-Rats"- 

(in no Particular Order.) 

Note: These descriptions can be telltale signs of Mental Illness: OCD,  Depression, etc, and other physiological degenerative disease. Alzheimers, Dementia in general.

• Denial and Resistance to change
• Obsession with Minutiae
• Complete blindness to overall ( mess) disarray but will fixate on things like arrangement of art on a wall or objects on a shelf
• Does not get rid of things that no longer serve them on any practical basis.
• Has clothing that does not fit, stashed away, in graduated sizes, for years.
• Holds onto mounds of their children’s clothing
• Holds onto mounds of papers, of all sorts: newspapers, old bills, cancelled checks, etc
• Can sleep in a bed, having mounds of mixed items and their pets sleeping with them, night after night: this is called the “Rats Nest”
• Mildew, Mold, Cobwebs and Dust is not an issue, although they might complain about it.
• Every room might look alike because each room has the same piles of boxes and stuff (extreme cases)
• Surfaces are unattended: countertops, shelves, tables, desk, bed, and on.
• Lots of small framed photos on many surfaces. Too many to focus on. Used as decoration.
• Obsession with “keepsakes” as if they are the event where they came from, itself.
• Full Suitcases with tiny scraps of things in them, clothes, medicine, forgotten for weeks, months or years.
• Duplicates of many items…lost track of posessions
• Old Rotting Food in Fridge and Cabinets
• General shoving of things to the back of cabinets, closets and piling on top of surfaces and shelves
• Resistance to moving things out that are no longer useful or are in bad condition
• Collecting of things, for the sake of collecting stashing them here and there. No specific interest in what is collected, just that things have “value” in their mind, for whatever emotional reason, and perhaps buy them because they know they have true market value but hold onto them, and never liquidate.

We Are Born, We Accumulate, We Downsize, Then We Go Forward!

Buy, Buy says the sign in the shop window;

Why, why, says the junk in the yard.

Paul McCartney, English, Musician Quotes

HOW DOES THIS MAKE YOU FEEL?

 B.A.D. We are Born, we Accumulate, we ( hopefully) Downsize!

Zook Design & Mission:Transition

DOWNSIZING: Keys to a Successful Transition: 

ACTION STEPS TOWARD YOUR NEW LIFE: 

1. R. B. D.- Relocation By Design: Design a Plan and an exit strategy... with your Realtor, your Transitions Manager, your lawyer, your CPA; all the professionals you count on and work it....getting the right help is important at the start. 

2. D.O.S.-Downsize, Organize and Strategize: The 1 year rule of thumb. Put a plan into action 1 year before listing your home, or sooner.  The amount of time and energy you dedicate to this depends on your other obligations, health and energy level. However, If you do not focus on this it will catch up with you....and you will run out of time. 

Behaviors to Be Aware of:  

            Denial and Procrastination Creates Crisis. Bottom line, number one reason for life going sour. 

            Stop (Accumulating). Put the money you would normally spend on more 'stuff' aside in a separate bank account  to purchase new things you    want after your move. 

            Beware the Arm Chair Professional: The neighbor or other acquaintance offering advice in your time of stress. Maintain Perspective. A     professional is tested in their craft and has to hold their own in a very competitive market. The neighbor does not. Ask for and call professional    references. 

3. L.B.Y.L.- Live by your List: Write it all down. At first, generalize, then get specific as you work your plan. Who (to give to) ,What ( to move or give), When( to do it all,) Where ( to move, etc. ) Why ( All the reasons) This is your business plan for your future. When in doubt, read it for affirmation. 

4. H.O.H- Hire Objective Help. Family can be helpful, but is generally not objective nor empathetic enough to see you through the process without undue stress. Do not burden them with your stuff or your time crisis.  Hire an experienced, professional Transitions manager/ downsizer who can work with you to assess your situation, develop a plan, contact the right professionals for you...such as auction houses, charities, etc.; go through your stuff with you, pack it up as you go, work with you to find the right moving company, manage the move itself, and get you set up afterwards AND sell your stuff. This is the person who sees you through the confusion and keeps you on target. Your right hand, and extra brain.  

5. S.Y.S.- Sell Your Stuff: With the help of a professional, you can sell almost anything that you decide you do not want to relocate with you. Everything from furnishings, to tools to "throw aways"....With the money made, buy new furnishings for your new home, or go on vacation.  

Keep it Simple: The old adage, but in times of big change, always the best policy. Move less, add later. 

Live Happy, Live Well!
 

copyright Laurie Zook 2010