From Three Bedrooms to One: The Journey of downsizing
There’s a moment — and maybe you’ve lived it too — when you stand in the middle of your living room, surrounded by belongings, memories, and the life you built, and you realize:
All of this can’t come with me.
Downsizing wasn’t just a move for me. It was a transition — physical, emotional, and honestly, spiritual. I went from a three-bedroom house filled with space, closets, storage, and room to hide things “for later,” to a small one-bedroom apartment where every item had to have a purpose, a place, or a goodbye.
And yes, I made this move with three dogs — because if one thing wasn’t changing, it was that my little furry family was coming with me.
The Moment I Knew It Was Time to Let Go
The decision came gradually — the build-up of too many responsibilities, too many things, and not enough peace. I had closets filled with items I forgot I owned, drawers that felt like time capsules, and a garage that told the story of years of “I’ll get to that one day.”
But life changes us, even when we pretend it doesn’t.
Sometimes the house we once dreamed of no longer matches where we are or where we’re going. Sometimes you outgrow a space by needing less of it.
I didn’t want a life where I managed belongings more than I enjoyed them.
I wanted simplicity, clarity, and freedom — in time, money, and energy.
Sorting Through More Than Just Stuff
I thought downsizing would be about packing boxes and scheduling movers, but it was so much more than that.
Every object came with a question:
Why do I have this?
Who did I buy this for — the real me or the ideal version of me?
Do I like this, or is it just familiar?
Letting go wasn’t about trash bags — it was about truth.
I learned:
Sometimes the hardest items to let go of are the ones tied to a story we no longer live.
There were things I held on to because they belonged to the version of me who hosted holidays, who had themed décor for every season, who believed more space equaled more happiness.
But I am allowed to evolve — so are you — and sometimes space is found in subtraction.
The Emotional Goodbye to a Home
Packing up a house is bittersweet.
There were moments I cried folding towels or bubble wrapping mugs. Not because of the objects — but because of the seasons they represented.
Goodbyes are never just physical — they are emotional, often invisible shifts within us.
But here’s the part that brought peace:
I realized I wasn’t letting go of the memories — only the things.
The memories came with me.
The lessons came with me.
The love came with me.
The house gave me a chapter — not a lifetime obligation.
A Small Apartment, A Fresh Start
When I unlocked that apartment door for the first time, it felt like stepping into possibility.
The space wasn’t small — it was meaningful.
Every item around me was chosen with intention.
Every drawer had purpose.
Every corner had peace.
I wasn’t surrounded by excess.
I was surrounded by essentials — and I felt lighter.
There is something beautiful about walking into a home that reflects your now, not your past.
What Downsizing Taught Me
Looking back, here are the lessons that stayed with me:
✨ Release what once served you — not what still controls you
✨ Your home should be lived in, not stored in
✨ When you remove clutter, you make space for clarity
✨ Small spaces demand creativity, not sacrifice
✨ A peaceful home isn’t about size — it’s about intention
✨ You are allowed to rewrite your life as many times as needed
Downsizing didn’t make my life smaller.
It made it more focused. More freeing. More aligned.
Pro Tip: coat closets can be easily transformed into anything! I went to Home Depot and got these shelf hangars and turned my closet into a pantry for extra space, and got over the door hooks for my coats!
If You’re Considering Downsizing Yourself
Maybe you’re moving.
Maybe you're starting fresh.
Maybe your life simply looks different than it once did.
Here’s what I want you to know:
You are not “losing” by letting go.
You are not behind for changing direction.
You are allowed to choose simplicity without explanation.
And most importantly — you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Ready to create a home that reflects the life you want next?
At Clutter Free Spaces, I help clients declutter, downsize, pack, unpack, organize, set systems, and walk into their new chapter with confidence and calm.
✨ Whether you’re moving to a new home, downsizing, or simply ready to simplify — I’d love to help.
📩 Let’s connect and start your transformation.