Is Decluttering a Good Project After Retiring?
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Decluttering Makes a Great First Project!
Decluttering makes a particularly good project to take on after retiring because (1) it gives you a reason or purpose for your day; (2) the work is inside your control (for the most part) (3) the visual results can be very uplifting and (4) it helps you gain flexibility in your life which can bring rewards in years to come.
What You'll Find In This Article
We will take a closer look at each of these rewards – in case you need convincing. After that, you’ll probably be super excited to get started. So we have some ideas and suggestions for doing just that. And of course, all projects have challenges. Knowing and understanding these challenges is a good way to not get derailed. So, we will look at those too. Read through each section or jump ahead to what interests you most.
Ok, let’s get started!
Closer Look at the Rewards
Reward #1: A Decluttering Project Gives You a Purpose
Decluttering projects give you a purpose, something that can feel missing in retirement. A purpose helps us get out of bed and tackle the day with enthusiasm.
We never really had to think about that before. We were always on this seemingly endless treadmill of work each day which automatically came with some kind of purpose. We didn’t always love that purpose. But it was almost always there.
It is easy to confuse freedom with aimlessness. They are not the same. Freedom from work restrictions is wonderful. An aimless life is not.
Decluttering is a particularly good project for the beginning of your retirement as it gives you purpose without feeling too burdensome. So it’s easy to use decluttering as a starting point as you begin to define your new life.
Reward #2: A Decluttering Project Provides Sense of Control
The work of decluttering is inside your control. You are your own boss. If you feel like tackling a big project, go for it! If not, pick a smaller one. Once you have your list of projects and your schedule, you can plan out what you want to tackle, and when.
There will be a point in your retirement when you are ready to take on something outside of your full control. Maybe you’ll want to volunteer, start up a little side hustle, or just get out and travel. Those will be wonderful adventures but they also come with a certain lack of control. This is one activity you can start up where you pretty much decide what, when, where and how much. So enjoy it.
Reward #3: Decluttering Gives You an Uplifting Visual Reward
Decluttering provides a great visual reward. Think of every time you walk in a room, open a closet door, or just turn a corner and see a newly freshened up space. Won’t it feel great?
One nice thing about being home more is the opportunity to invite people over for organized events like dinners, or even impromptu drink or cup of coffee. (Of course, when the time is right and you feel comfortable doing so.) You will feel so much more like doing that if your home looks neat and fresh.
Reward #4: Decluttering Soon After Retiring Increases Your Flexibility
Whether we like it or not, we all need to think about where and how we want to live as we grow older.
You may plan to stay in your current home for a long time. If so, what modifications may you have to consider as you age? Does your home work well for inviting grandchildren to visit? These are just a few questions to consider.
Or maybe there’s a move in your future. Are you prepared to take advantage of market swings in your favor. What if the perfect place goes on the market sooner than you expected?
No matter what the future holds, decluttering and simplifying your surroundings is a project waiting for someone to tackle. So why not do it on your terms.
My Dad's Reflection
I am so proud of my 93 year old dad who lives alone and takes excellent care of himself. He maintains the home we all grew up in along with his 4,000 square foot vegetable garden. He loves his home and his garden and I believe that is what is keeping him alive and alert all these years. He has a purpose.
But there’s one thing he says he wishes he’d done differently. He’ll tell you that 30 years ago he should have moved to a single level home with sufficient acreage for his garden. Now in his multi-level home, he worries about his ability to stay independent.
He had several reasons for putting off this move. But too often I’ve seen people in his situation put off a really good move opportunity because it was just too much trouble.
Getting Started
But Where do You Start Decluttering an Entire Home?
Your two best tools in this decluttering exercise are: (1) A comprehensive list and (2) a block schedule.
These decluttering tools will give you what you need to define and dimension your project. And the block schedule will help you make sure you are getting to it. These two tools are all you need to ensure this project doesn’t end up on the ‘I’m too exhausted to finish’ list.
Tool #1: Build Your Comprehensive Decluttering List
If you have a full list of all the sub-projects, big and small, you can better plan out your time.
Check out another post on this site to help you get your list together.
Declutter, Simplify, Take a Deep Breath – this article will walk you through step by step of getting that list built, prioritized, and organized. Once you have that full list in front of you, you can plan out how you want to proceed. The post even comes with a download-able spreadsheet that you can use as a tool.
Tool #2: A Block Schedule Helps You Stick to a Plan
If you have a good handle on your schedule and routines, you are more likely to actually DO the work.
Another post on this site can help you with your Block Schedule.
Schedule Your Time in Retirement – this posts takes you through ways of scheduling your time in retirement. And it walks you through step by step the process of building a block schedule for yourself.
You can use this block schedule to set aside and devote time to your decluttering projects. Not only are you then more likely to do this work, but you can also be sure to schedule little rewards for yourself too.
This helps keep you from feeling overwhelmed and tempted to quit. The post also includes a download-able template you can use as a tool.
Does This Sound Familiar?
I was looking for one particular pair of shoes. And I I could swear they were in the hall closet. This closet has bothered me for years, yet I keep putting off the inevitable big job.
But now I am determined to find these shoes. So I end up pulling everything out and piling it all up in the hall. While it looks awful, I justify it because I wanted to do this anyway. I soon realize it’s late in the afternoon and I need to get something for dinner. And I have appointments the next day.
Finally two days later, I get a chance to finish what I started. I did eventually get the closet cleaned out so I’m happy about that. But I had to step over piles of stuff for two days. And I had to cancel plans with friends because I was embarrassed for anyone to see my messy home.
This situation could have been avoided if I scheduled that closet clean out when I knew I had the time to devote to it.
Prepare for Challenges
Three issues to look out for when starting a major home decluttering project in retirement: (1) It always looks worse before it looks better; (2) there’s danger of getting sidetracked or discouraged, and (3) some work can be emotional.
Challenge #1: It Always Looks Worse Before It Looks Better
One often suggested strategy for decluttering (and one I love) is to remove absolutely everything. So if you’re decluttering a closet, then you would take every last shirt and shoe out. Now just looking at all that stuff sitting around can be very depressing and might cause you to derail. Don’t let that happen! What’s the best way to combat this? Plan ahead. Use that block schedule to make sure you are tackling projects at a good time for you. When you know you have a good chance of finishing.
Just like my hall closet story above!
Challenge #2: It is Easy to Feel Overwhelmed
Let’s face it. Decluttering a whole home is a lot of work! Some ideas for not getting discouraged:
- Mix some small projects into the project plan. Tackle one small but very visible area in your home. This will serve as inspiration for you to keep pushing through your list. Check out this post on this site (Small Wins) for some examples.
- Celebrate a win! Order out from your favorite place, take a hot bubble bath, or just pour your favorite beverage. Then sit back and congratulate yourself when you’ve finished one of the items on your list.
Challenge #3: Be Ready for the Emotions
Decluttering a home you’ve been in for many years means you are bound to stumble on many old sentimental items. This can be hard. It can be very hard. Some ideas on how to deal with that..
- Have a box ready for the real treasures. It can be a simple box, or something more substantial. Don’t make the box too big. You don’t want to just shift the problem from one place to the other. It is important to still be very selective about what stays. But at least you can easily and quickly store the important items and keep moving on.
- Schedule time with friends just when you need it. This is really important! If you spent the whole day sorting through your kids old stuff, you could easily feel a little down. Even happy memories can make you feel a bit sad for days gone by. So instead of sitting around, put on a nice new outfit and go be with people. This is where your block schedule comes in really handy! On a day when you know you are going to tackle a sensitive area of the house, make sure you also schedule a [socially distanced / safe] outing with a friend. Just sitting on your back patio and sharing a bottle of wine with a few good friends will help so much after a day filled with memories.
So Go Ahead....Get Started!
And take on that home decluttering project.
You have the tools for success.
And it is a great way to feel productive with short and long term rewards.
Come Check Out Other Articles on This Site That Relate to This One!
A workable decluttering plan starts with a comprehensive and prioritized list. This article will walk you through how to build one of your own.
A perfect decluttering list is a great start. Then you need to set aside the time to get it done. A simple Block Schedule can help you do exactly that.