Our Ask An Angel correspondent is Re Kielar, Life Care Navigation Specialist in the area of senior home care.
Q. Before I moved to Del Webb, I attempted to get rid of a lot of âstuff.â Once I somewhat settled in here, I found I still have so much to get rid. I donât know where to begin or how to put things in order. I feel overwhelmed. How do people do it?
A. Moving is overwhelming! And it is during a move that we really see how much âstuffâ we have accumulated over the years. The good news is that you already took a step in the right direction by going through as much as you were able to before your move. Now that you have realized there is still more work to do, it is time to get serious! Start by making a plan to identify the items that you are not emotionally attached to. Additionally, sort your items into categories. Categories could include a keepsake section, a section designated for items to be left for family, and items to be sold or donated. One of the easiest rooms to begin with is your kitchen. Chances are there are things you can part with that you donât use very often. Once you have tackled this space, go on to another room. I strongly encourage you to recruit a friend or family member to help you stay accountable and on task. If you donât have family or friends nearby to help you, perhaps a personal organizer can assist you. A professional caregiver can also come alongside you to help you with this task. An organizer will give you suggestions and a caregiver can assist you with the sorting and organizing. The job before you can be overwhelming, but breaking down aspects of it into small bits, is a good way to get through it. That is why a plan is so important. Keep it simple and realistic so you are motivated, not discouraged. All in all, try to keep the process light hearted. Celebrate your new home and all the goodness you will experience in it.
Have a question for our angel correspondent? You can send our angel an email to rkielar@visitingangels.com or send your question via mail to Ask An Angel, 65 Woodbury St., South Elgin, IL 60177.
