So, you’ve decided to downsize into a Bridgewater Communities villa. Maybe the stairs in your current house are winning the daily battle, or the dust bunnies have unionized in the guest room you haven’t entered since 2006. Whatever the reason, you’re ready to simplify, shrink your space, prepare for the next exciting chapter of your life, and hopefully not bring every souvenir mug from the last 40 years with you. Good on you!
But let’s be real: decluttering is no joke—especially when you’ve got decades of stuff and most of it has feelings. That snow globe from Niagara Falls? It’s basically family. But take heart: decluttering can be painless, possibly fun, and at the very least, a chance to finally figure out what’s really in that “junk drawer” in the kitchen.
Step 1: Mental Prep – You’re Not Tossing Memories, You’re Gaining Space
First, let’s adjust the attitude. You’re not getting rid of your life—you’re curating it. Think of yourself as the museum director of “Your Life: The Exhibit.” You get to choose what goes on display in
your more manageable, and brand-new Bridgewater villa.
Tip: Make peace with the fact that if you haven’t used it since Bush was in office (either one), it might be time to let it go.
Step 2: Start Small – One Room, One Corner, One Pile
Don’t try to tackle the whole house in one day. That’s how people end up sitting in a pile of old birthday cards, weeping and eating a stale peppermint they found in the couch cushions. Start with a drawer. Or a closet. Or the terrifying Tupperware cabinet that multiplies lids like rabbits. You will celebrate one small victory over your clutter at a time.
Use the classic four-pile method: Keep, Donate, Sell, Trash (and okay, one “Maybe” pile—but don’t abuse it).
Step 3: Sentimental Stuff – Heart vs. Storage Space
This one’s tough. The baby shoes. The old wedding photos. The kindergarten macaroni necklace made by your now 40-year-old child. You don’t have to throw it all away—just be selective. Pick a few items that really matter and consider digitizing the rest. Yes, you can scan those love letters and still feel all warm and fuzzy without storing three shoeboxes of paper. After all, a picture of a macaroni necklace is almost as good as a macaroni necklace, right?
Bonus tip: Give sentimental items to family now. That way, you get to see their confused faces when you hand them a vintage meat grinder you thought they’d cherish.
Step 4: Selling the Good Stuff – Turn Clutter into Cruise Cash
You’d be surprised what people will pay for online. That odd teapot collection you inherited from your great Aunt Margaret and have never taken out of the boxes? Someone out there collects odd teapots. Use Facebook Marketplace or eBay. Another option, if you’re feeling fancy, is to call an estate sale pro. Having a professional involved will give you some distance and may make the process easier for you. Just be realistic about value— most used formal dining room furniture is worth very little (no matter how much you paid for it) and those 1990’s Beanie Babies probably aren’t going to pay for your next vacation.
Step 5: Celebrate Your Lighter Life
You’ve done it. The closets can breathe. The garage no longer qualifies as a “hazard zone.” Downsizing isn’t about loss—it’s about freedom. Less stuff, less stress, and more space for the good stuff in your new villa—like visits from grandkids, spontaneous dance parties, or a new recliner that doesn’t share space with five broken floor lamps.
So go on, declutter like the legend you are. Pat yourself on the back, pour a glass of something celebratory, because nothing says “I’ve still got it” like knowing that you will be dancing through your new Bridgewater villa in your socks with absolutely zero fear of tripping over a fondue set from 1973.
