The time has come for you to move from your five-bedroom family home to a smaller two-bedroom home. Or maybe you’re headed to an apartment or retirement home; either way, you have to downsize, which means getting rid of things.

Downsizing is never easy, but with fewer material possessions, you will save money, time, and be able to travel more. Don’t believe us? Read on to learn more about embracing minimalism and the benefits of letting go.

1. Less Stuff = Less Stress

If this is the first time you’re hearing this, you’re not alone. Remember, businesses have a vested interest in making you think that you need to buy more stuff. But the reality is the opposite. Studies have shown that people with the least amount of physical possessions are actually the happiest and least stressed.

This is because the more physical possessions you own, the more clutter there is in your home and the more stress there is in your body. Not only that, but physical possessions do require care, from dusting for shelves and figurines to regular maintenance for electronics. While you shouldn’t get rid of everything, you should consider selling or disposing of anything you haven’t touched in over a year.

2. You Will Feel Free

The less attached to home you are, the more you can travel and the freer you will feel. Plus, if you have less stuff, it’s no big deal to put everything in a storage unit for a year and cruise the seven seas. You might think we are kidding; however, numerous individuals over the age of 65 have found it cheaper to cruise year-round than live in a retirement home!

If you are able to downsize enough, you may even find it’s affordable to retire abroad.

3. You Save Money

Besides just stuff costing money, the space you store it in also costs. Remember, you are at a time in your life where you want to minimize your expenses, and that means minimizing your possessions.

4. You Might Find Happiness

Study after study has shown that stuff weighs us down. It stops us from leaving homes when we are unhappy, and from quitting a job we loathe. When you no longer have stuff, you will find you have a new freedom that can’t be measured.

Want to go to Paris this week? Easy. Want to try living in Alaska this summer? Done. All because you were able to condense your life into a few suitcases or a small storage unit.

How to Downsize

Downsizing can be difficult and emotional, but we have several tips to help you work through it. For best results, we recommend using several of the following tips as often as you need more than one to help you through the process!

1. Have a Friend Help

This is very important. We already know that you will find an excuse to keep everything—after all, you already have. Not only that, but having a family member help isn’t enough, as they may have the same sentimental values you do.

Instead, phone a friend, someone who can help you remain objective as to whether or not you actually need that Star Wars cup you got from a movie theater in 1975.

2. Use the One Year Rule

The reality is, anything you haven’t touched or used in a year, you are unlikely to ever use again. Therefore, when you pick something up, think of the last time you used it. If it’s been more than a year, say goodbye.

This is especially true with clothes. Most studies show that though the average person owns 50-60 outfits, they wear just 14. This means that the one dress you have, that you haven’t worn since 2015, isn’t worth keeping—we promise.

3. Sell Your Stuff

Sometimes people have an attachment to something because they don’t want to “waste.” While we totally understand that (especially for those who have lived through tough economic times!), the way around this is to list your stuff for sale.

While some things might be garbage, you’ll be surprised at what you can sell. Back in 2015, we made over $200 just for selling vintage magazines for $6 a piece on eBay! So no matter what it is you once collected, just try listing it for sale, see what comes of it!

4. Gift Nice Items

Do you have two of a favorite book? Or maybe two of a special edition figurine? The second one can make an excellent gift! While it might be hard to gift within your family unit, think of other people in your life who would enjoy the gift, such as a friend, neighbor, or maybe even a coworker! This will also help you to keep costs low during the holiday season.

5. Remember, You Can’t Take it With You

Again, we understand how challenging it can be to part with stuff you’ve become attached to. But keep in mind that when you die, your children or grandchildren will be stuck with the pile you refuse to go through now.

If there is stuff you just can’t bear to part with now, sort it. For example, have a bin of books, a bin of stuffed animals, and a bin of collectibles. Ensure they are compact and ready for long-term storage. Then, place them in storage (or your new, smaller home) for a year. You might just be surprised how willing you are to part with those items later. And if you do miss them, you can pull them back out, of course.

Even if you never go through them again, at least your family will have an easier time going through your items when you pass on.

Related: When Should You Write a Will?

6. Donate

So many people in this world go without. When we downsized in 2019, we were shocked at how many people came to pick up furniture we posted for free in your driveway. A three-bedroom home of furniture was gone in a few hours.

You can also take some to Goodwill, ARC, or call local shelters and see if they will take any of it. You might be surprised at what things these shelters need that you might be able to provide.