How to Help Your Aging Relatives Declutter and Downsize

As people get older, they often enter a paradox: They have collected a lifetime of memorabilia and possessions, and they may only use a tiny fraction as their needs, interests and health circumstances change.

The problem isn’t limited to the elderly; people of all ages keep substantial amounts of things they don’t necessarily need. But the older one is, the more one is likely to have amassed a lot of #stuff — and the more likely that life changes will demand a #downsizing.

If one of your parents, relatives or friends is “getting up there” in age, they may need some help #decluttering. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, says The Homes I Have Made, but the effort will be worthwhile.

#Clutter affects physical safety and mental well-being. Once thoroughly #decluttered, a home is easier to navigate and keep #clean if a relative plans on aging in place. And if they are planning on moving to a smaller space or a sunnier location, it will be easier to pack up and go.

The whole family can get involved if an aging parent has a lot of stuff — sharing memories and making new ones. Take your time, but have everyone involved target specific areas for decluttering. Have boxes and bags ready and take frequent breaks to enjoy one another’s company.

When you help a family member shed cherished furnishings and accessories, you can ensure that those things go to a good home. Someone in the family may need that antique armoire that’s been in the family for decades, for example, or want to give that dining-room set a new home.

Any unwanted goods can be #donated to a worthy charity. ClothingDonations.org accepts used clothing, furniture, appliances, housewares, kitchen items, media, toys and many other items, for example, and will pick them up to make #decluttering convenient. Those #donations will be resold to help fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.

It’s never easy to #declutter or #downsize, but your aging relatives don’t have to go it alone — or worse, suddenly have to make a life change that’s hindered by a lifetime of stuff. Start today to make their golden years happy, healthy and #clutter-free.

Decluttering Can Be a Great Summer Project

One #household project that’s good to perform no matter what the season is #decluttering. Outdoors or indoors, rain or shine, your #home life will be healthier and less stressful if you don’t have a bunch of #junk you don’t need in the way of the #stuff that you use. Taks advantage of the warm summer weather to clean the #garage — or use a rainy day to #organize the basement. You’ll probably find lots of old #clothing, tchotchkes and other things you don’t really need that you can #donate to ClothingDonations.org. Call or click for a #free #pickup, and contribute those items to fund valuable #veterans programs! #SummerProjects

Sort Your Clothing According to the Season

In places with variable weather — and especially those with four distinct seasons — one must adjust their wardrobe to match the atmospheric conditions. That means keeping a variety of #clothing of different weights to wear for different purposes.

Even if you live in a place with relatively steady temperatures, you’ll need to prepare for variations in heat and humidity. Or perhaps you vacation in another climate — going skiing or to the beach, for example. You need to have different clothes.

Most months, you know what to expect and which clothes to have close at hand. The problem is when the another season’s clothing is getting in the way of the current season, making it difficult to put together an appropriate outfit.

Sorting your clothing by season is a good way to keep your wardrobe #organized, How Stuff Works says: “There is no good reason your heaviest winter sweater should take up residence next to a summer tank in the prime real estate of your closet.”

Rotate your clothing by season to make better sense of your wardrobe. Start with your shoes, sorting them by season and purpose. Return only the current season’s to your closet or shoe rack, with the most frequently used at the front.

Do the same for clothing. Review each item for fit and wear, sorting it into at least two piles (hot and cold weather) or a pile for each season. Then sort those piles into everyday clothing, special-occasion clothing, clothing to #donate and clothing to #trash.

Return only the current season’s clothing to your closets and dressers; off-season clothing can be stored safely in (labeled) plastic bins. Where you put the bins is another question, but getting off-season clothing out of the way will streamline getting dressed.

Sorting clothing into seasons will also help you reduce your overall inventory by helping you discover which items no longer fit or don’t match your style. Put those times in a box or bag and contact ClothingDonations.org for a free #donation #pickup.

You’ll be glad you did. Whether you’re getting ready for a new day or a special event, you’ll no longer have to hunt for the appropriate items to wear!

How to Shake off Your Winter Hibernation

The trees are budding and the first flowers of #spring are starting to pop up — depending on your location, sometimes through a lingering snow. But you may still struggle to get energized for the warm weather, having been in human “hibernation” through winter.

“Humans cannot actually hibernate, but in the coldest months of the year, many of us are drawn to something similar,” writes Katherine May in Wintering: How I Learned to Flourish When Life Became Frozen. “We want to batten down the hatches, preserve our energies, lay on fat.”

Now, it’s time to shake off that hibernation and meet the sunniest months of the year head-on. You can shed that winter weight, tackle long-overdue warm-weather projects and reinvent your outlook for the rest of the year. Here are a few ways:

Move your body. You don’t have to start training for a triathlon, but any activity that gets your blood circulating will help you snap of the winter doldrums. Get off the couch and commit to move every day, even if it’s just a short walk.

“Moderate exercise will release endorphins that encourage you to move a little more next time,” says Optimi. “If you can be outside when the sun’s shining, all the better. Sunlight provides a variety of health benefits you don’t want to miss, including creating your own supply of immune-building vitamin D.”

#Declutter and #organize. Not only can #decluttering get you moving, it can also lighten the psychological load of a crowded, chaotic space. Simply having less #stuff to gather dust will make it easier to find the things you do like and streamline your home life.

Contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup, and that extra #junk will be out of your life for good. Your mood will brighten knowing that #donating lightly used goods helps fund programs benefiting the nation’s #veterans.

Deep-clean. They don’t call it spring #cleaning for nothing. Shake out the rugs, wash the windows and scrub the baseboards. A #clean, fresh-smelling and bright home is a more pleasant place to be; it will put the spring in your step and may even inspire you to let some fresh air in.

Whatever gets you moving, socializing and planning again after a long winter is fair game. Just know that you no longer have to bundle up, huddle on the couch and binge Netflix. Spring has sprung, so go out and take advantage of it!

Treat the Vets in Your Life on Vietnam Veterans Day

Tomorrow, remember the #Vietnam #veterans in your life and community with a special visit, message, card or meal on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. But remember, you don’t have to wait for March 29 to honor and support #Vietnam #veterans. Every #donation made to ClothingDonations.org is resold to fund valuable veterans programs. That means that even as you improve your life and space by #decluttering, you can ensure that those who served have access to health care, food, housing, camaraderie and more. Fill a few boxes or bags with your unwanted #stuff and #schedule a #pickup today!