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Rightsize Right Now!Checklist Guidelines

 

At the end of each week in Rightsize! Right Now! you will find the following summary lists of that week’s ‘tasks.’ You can copy and paste this list into a Word document and tweak it to more adequately reflect your schedule. Save it on your computer, in the app of your choice like Evernote or print it out and paste it into your real time notebook. Use the format that is most comfortable for you.

 

What do I mean by tweak? Here’s a list of examples:

  • I could swap the kitchen and office weeks if that was more beneficial for my family.

  • If I didn’t have a basement, attic or garage I could delete those and celebrate how much extra time I have that week.

  • I could write in the names of friends or family members who are going to take particular tasks off my plate.

  • If I had a bevy of brothers who insisted on doing my move I could delete the mover interviews.

  • I might add in items that are particular to my move but not to the general public.  For example what if I am leaving a farm and have to move horses or cattle? I know.  It’s a long shot but it’s of concern to some. 

Again tailor these summaries because they are now ready to be turned into your checklists. Be sure they reflect the move YOU are making.

 

Week One: Make a Plan / Create a Budget / Research Movers

 

  • Create a move notebook and easy filing system for the notes

and materials you’ll amass over the weeks.

 

  • Create or adjust your family budget so you know exactly what

you can afford in terms of your move.

 

  • Research sources for moving boxes.

 

  • A little detective work will yield the names of reputable movers.

 

  • Schedule meetings with three to five, and see who offers

the best deal and with whom you feel the most comfortable.

 

  • Do the “fresh eyes exercise.”

 

  • Eliminate one difficult item or category from your home to

release stuck energy.

 

 

Week Two: Mover Meetings / Self Move Research / The Kitchen

 

  • Meet with representatives from at least three moving companies.

If you decide to hire one, book your move this week.

 

  • If you are planning a self-move, get prices for the tools you need to rent, like a truck and a dolly. Be sure they are available on the day you will need them.

 

  • Secure transport for unusual, valuable, or outsized items like artwork or a piano.

 

  • If you are shipping your vehicle, investigate your options.

 

  • If your household is moving many miles and you are shipping your vehicle, research plane, train, or bus tickets.

 

  • Engage friends and family for specific move-related duties. If you are doing a self-move, you need a mix of strong and organized friends.

 

  • Be sure the charity of your choice will accept the items you wish to donate and can pick them up on the day you designate.

 

  • Begin dealing with the emotional issues that threaten to keep you attached to items you no longer need, want, or use or that you can’t fit into the new space.

 

  • Clean out cupboards and drawers in the kitchen.

 

  • Pack some items if time permits and you have decided not to let the pros simply do it all.

 

  • Begin making a shopping list of helpful items you’ll need in your next kitchen.

 

  • Start planning a kitchen moving-day box to be loaded onto the truck last.

 

Week Three: Who Needs to Know / Bedroom / Are you Wasting Time?

 

  • Make a list of people and entities that need to know your new address as well as all businesses that serve your home.

 

  • Clear out the items from your bedroom that need not make the journey with you.

 

  • Pack some items, as this will give you a sense of accomplishment.

 

  • Pack items in this room that do not wrinkle easily. If nothing else get the off-season clothing in a box.

 

  • Consider which organizing tools will help you enjoy your wardrobe more and preserve it.

 

  • Check for the secret time suckers in your life.

 

Week Four: Bathrooms / Linen Closet / Micro-Living

 

  • Downsize the contents of all bathrooms.

 

  • Pack whatever items you won’t need until you get to the new location, including linens.

 

  • Clean out the linen closet, and donate discards to your vet or local emergency animal hospital.

  • Consider the benefits and how-to’s of micro-living.

 

Week Five: Paper Organization

 

  • Defang your paper phobia by uncovering the fear behind it.

 

  • Try meditation.

 

  • Investigate the three main reasons people avoid making decisions about paper.

 

  • Sort paper piles; toss, shred, or recycle as needed.

 

  • Archive old tax records and projects.

 

  • Set up files to catch current material.

 

  • Sort through reading matter like magazines, catalogs, newsletters and so forth.

 

  • Clean out the existing filing cabinet.

 

  • Gather all warranties and instructions, and sort for ease of retrieval.

 

  • Set up a simple office file system.

 

  • Set up action files.

 

  • Consider purchasing basic office supplies.

 

  • Cull through small office supplies and decorative items.

 

  • Consider the set up of the next office.

 

  • Read packing tips.

 

Week Six:  The Family Room / Yard Sales

 

  • Go out into nature.

 

  • Do a speed elimination in the family room.

 

  • Cull your book collection.

 

  • Consider creative sources for media donations.

 

  • Consider ideas for (non digital) media collections.

 

  • Investigate popular outlets for cast-off stuff.

 

  • Hold a yard sale.

 

  • Plan for the next family room.

 

  • Consider the concept of completion and the importance of chores.

 

Week Seven: Children’s Rooms / Memorabilia / The Dorm / Retirement

 

  • Talk to your child about the concept of self-care, and share with her a self-care tip.

 

  • Do a speed elimination in your child’s room, or if she is older, let her do her own.

 

  • Organize your child’s media collection.

 

  • Purge the closet.

 

  • Make plans for the next bedroom.

 

  • Consider the hold all memorabilia has on us, but especially that pertaining to our children.

 

  • Prepare for a dorm move.

 

  • Downsize for a move to a retirement home, and think of this new life phase as a time of freedom.

 

  • Make the move to assisted living as smooth and comfortable as possible.

 

Week Eight: The Attic, Basement & the Garage / Final Plans

 

  • Clear clutter and pack the garage, attic, and basement.

 

  • Plan for storage areas in the next home.

 

  • Prepare for moving day:

    • Set aside first-on, last-off moving-day boxes.

 

  • Make sure your labeling system is in place.

 

  •  Have moving-day supplies (bottles of water, snacks) ready.

 

  •  Pack any remaining items.

 

  • Move!

 

  • Begin unpacking and getting rid of boxes.

 

As you have probably guessed by now I love great quotes.  I've been collecting them since I was 13 years old and they fill all of my books.  This is the one that closes Rightsize! I find it evocative of the relationship I want you to have with your home using the tool of organization. 

 

                                                To us, our house was not unsentient matter -- it had

                                                a heart, and a soul, and eyes to see us with; and

                                                approvals and solicitudes and deep sympathies; it was

                                                of us, and we were in its confidence, and lived in its

                                                grace and in the peace of its benediction.

 

                                                                 Mark Twain

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