an end to downsizing

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In my post ’18 days and counting!‘, I wrote the following –

The PODS container was delivered yesterday.  Items we are keeping and storing are now starting to make their way into the container.  Much downsizing has taken place over the past year and a little more to go with regards to ridding of un-needed items.  Tomorrow we are having an Estate Sale and hope to downsize considerably more items.  The PODS container will be sitting in our driveway for 2 weeks at which time it will be picked up and stored.

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In today’s post, I write the following –

The PODS container will be picked up this Thursday.  Since it was delivered, we quickly filled it, with no room to spare.

A week ago this past Saturday, we had the Estate Sale and it was a success and in that 2 of 3 larger items we had left sold.  These 2 items were a brass bed with mattress set and the baby grand piano.  Last week we sold additional smaller items and the last remaining large item sold this past weekend; a couch.  This past Saturday we had a moving sale and sold our remaining smaller items.

These past weeks we have continued our downsizing and with the combined garage sales of last year, we have rid of approximately 90% of our possessions.  Remember we lived in a 3,800 sq. ft. home and are moving into an 5th wheel with about 300 sq. ft.  Possessions we are not taking with us in our 5th wheel are in the PODS container that is about 200 sq. ft.  Having much less possessions is an amazing freeing feeling.  I am glad Gary and I decided to downsize considerably and decide to ‘go tiny’ in our next living situation.  I am unsure what the future holds for us with regards to where we finally end up living on a permanent basis, but at this time, the ‘go tiny’ works for us.

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With 1 week to go, the house is nearly completely empty.  By Thursday, the last item to be placed in the PODS container will be the one and only remaining mattress.  For the past 2 weeks it has been on the floor in the master bedroom for us to sleep on.  After Thursday once the PODS container is picked up, I guess we will be sleeping on the floor.  Friday we plan to bring the 5th wheel back home and park it in our next door neighbor’s driveway.  They will be out of town this next weekend and are allowing us to park the 5th wheel there.  We will load the 5th wheel with the remaining items from the house and be ready to leave promptly on Tuesday of next week once house closing papers are signed.

With 1 week to go, a year’s effort of downsizing is coming to an end.  This chapter that Gary and I have experienced for quite some time is coming to an end.  And the next chapter soon will begin.

53 thoughts on “an end to downsizing”

  4. You did strike a chord with the comment about the mattress on the floor. When I moved to France I spent two weeks after the van had come to take everything away with just a mattress on the floor, The Bean and my labrador (who went to live with my mum because she was so old we were scared she wouldn’t make the journey) … looking back on it I smile but I didn’t smile at the time! Turning out and going tiny is really liberating and you are soon going to set out on your new road bumps and all. And I will be right here calling you on 🙂

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  5. What a fabulous task you have completed! I was trying to imagine myself downsizing and purging all the stuff I seem to be emotionally connected to since getting married (games, puzzles, DVDs, let alone some of AJ’s toys!), and it nearly made me cry just the thought of it. You must’ve had an extremely emotional year while doing this. Super proud of you for being so strong through it all and being able to do it! Have a happy Monday, my friend!

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    • Paula, it was more difficult for Gary, I can get rid of anything and feel no emotions. Gary likes to keep stuff and for us to have downsized as much as we have – this is a big deal for him. I am amazed at how much stuff we started with! Happy Monday to you as well! 🙂

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  6. Wow ! that is a massive downsizing accomplishment !!! It almost is a bit scary, but it had to be done. Going ‘tiny’ is not a bad thing, and I can relate to the freeing feeling. Not too long to go and then it’s time for the new chapter to begin. 🙂 Happy Monday 🙂

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    • Thank you Alexis, the emotions we have now are just tired! Gary has spent a great deal of time in getting the word out there of our sales. I have helped out where he needs me to. I am sure this weekend, more emotions will be with us. Thanks dear, I appreciate you stopping by today! 🙂

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  11. I am a tad envious – there is a wonderful freedom to downsizing. It’s just stuff. My mum was liberated when she moved to a tiny cottage beside us in the latter part of her life. Not only did it allow her to feel free and unencumbered but it was a fresh happy start. We downsized, as many expats do, when we moved to Texas and our patio home is much smaller than our previous homes. I make a determined effort not to gather more stuff and regularly donate to Goodwill or the like. I know expats who have Pods that have not been opened in 20 years and they have no idea what is inside them! Bravo for achieving so much, in a short space of time and especially when you have not been feeling well (that’s an understatement). 🙂

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    • We certainly hope our POD does not sit for 20 years. Honestly we wanted to get rid of more, but some items are more difficult to sell, so they are stored for now. It is nice to know, when we do finally settle down, we will not have a lot of stuff to deal with. Thanks dear, how was your Saturday night? 🙂

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    • Thanks David, it certainly took some work – the first question was where do we start? It all worked out – we are please with our downsizing! Happy Monday my friend! 🙂

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  15. This has been such a journey. Reading along about it all makes me feel like I’ve been a part of it with you! That is quite a transformation. It must have been a roller coaster of sheer energy and emotion. I’m sure there is some relief in knowing it’s done, and time needed to process it all yet; excitement and anxiety about the upcoming exploration of the unknown; and so much more! I hope you are taking the time to rest, you need to take care of yourself too my friend.

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    • Sadie, it certainly was a journey, and one that we are relieved about – and happy about. It feels good knowing all that ‘stuff’ is gone and we will not have to deal with it again at some point in the future! We are ready to move on from here and start anew – but I know I have serious things to deal with first. Thanks for your comment, I always appreciate them. Hope you are feeling better today! 🙂

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  16. Wow! That is an amazing piece of downsizing, Terry! I already feel great sorting out books I´m not going to read a second time (as it leaves more place for new ones 😉 ) so how much more better must you feel?! And it shows what we all tend to forget: it´s not the amount of things that matter… Wish you a happy day!!! xxx

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  18. What an accomplishment! It isn’t just the stuff or the hard work, but all the emotions and waiting! That is a huge downsizing effort! I love to clear things out and organize. You did it! You really did it!

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    • It is difficult to believe that we have an empty house and our ‘stuff’ is in that small container. It will be nice later when we decide where we will plant ourselves again knowing we have little to deal with. Thanks dear, hope you and hubby are feeling good today! 🙂

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  20. What fun….almost there…..we moved from a 2200sq ft house to a 1200 sq ft house with a large Arizona room…..let me tell you….what great feeling to lightening the load….I am so happy for you….on to the next chapter….so excited….kat

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