Life Talk

Things I wish I'd known before downsizing the family home

We sold the house we raised three children in last year and moved into a two-bedroom unit. It was the right decision, but I'd have done a few things differently. Sharing in case it helps someone.

Start a year before you need to. Sorting a life's worth of things takes far longer than the move itself.

Ask the children what they want, then give them a deadline. Otherwise you become a free storage unit for adult children forever.

Photograph things you can't keep. I have a folder of my old garden and the height marks on the pantry door. It helped more than I expected.

Measure the new place before deciding on furniture. Our beloved dining table simply did not fit.

Be gentle with each other. My husband and I grieved different things, and that was fine.