Many of us will reach a point at some time in our lives where we find we have to sell up and downsize. If you’re a vintage collector then this can be especially hard, as you will very likely have filled your home with things you genuinely love and cherish! How on earth can you declutter enough to sell your home move somewhere smaller when it feels like everything means so much to you?
In this article we’ll offer some tips for anyone who is selling their home to move somewhere smaller and needs to scale back their collectables. We’ve got practical advice to help you manage the process thoughtfully and effectively.
Incentivize your decluttering
Without an incentive, it can feel like you’re just being made to get rid of your treasures for the sake of it, so if you’re selling up and downsizing, think about what could help to motivate you. As a collector, one obvious answer to this is to set your heart on something you want to add to your collection.
This might sound backwards, but we’re thinking quality, not quantity – all the money you raise selling existing items from your collections that no longer spark joy could be channeled towards one special item. This way you free up space, ready for your move, and you still have the joy of collecting!
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Rip off the bandaid
Sometimes it’s better to make a clean break as quickly and simply as you can, and make tough, quick decisions on what to sell or keep. Unfortunately, if you are tie-ing this in with your house sale process, it can often be a lengthy process and wait before a deadline for your decluttering process.
If you are looking to sell quickly, and don’t want to be at the mercy of other people’s timescales, new selling options to sell a house fast, like with cash buying companies like We Buy Any Home aim to counter this problem. Once you’ve made the decision to sell, they’ll send you a free valuation in minutes and you could have money in your bank in around a week. You set a completion date that suits you, giving you the deadline you need to make those tough decisions quickly.
Move on mindfully
Downsizing doesn’t have to mean chucking all of your vintage collections into the trash. Instead, take the time to sort your treasures mindfully. If you find an item that once held a lot of meaning but is now ready to be passed on, take the time to conjure up those memories and honor it properly before letting go.
Similarly, make sure that the things you do decide to take with you are cared for and displayed thoughtfully. A selection of half a dozen of your favorite vintage postcards, put into a vintage frame and hung on your kitchen wall, will bring you much more joy than a box full of hundreds of postcards kept in the loft.
With the right care and thought, letting go of your vintage collections has the potential to be a positive experience. We wish you luck in your new home!