A Couple’s 38-Year Journey to Downsizing

I recently had the pleasure of working with a wonderful couple for over two and a half months as they prepared to move from their home of 38 years. Their house was filled with memories, but also decades of accumulated belongings. Like many busy professionals, they had never taken the time to declutter.

Together, we went through each room meticulously, deciding what to keep, donate, or discard. I arranged for window cleaners, a hauling company to remove excess furniture and items from the basement and shed, and even scheduled a professional shredding service. In total, we shredded 40 bags of documents, all carefully stored in pink trash bags to avoid confusion with other disposals.

One of the most meaningful parts of this process was helping them organize their family archives. The husband took on the task of scanning genealogy records to ensure no paper files followed them to their new retirement community. Meanwhile, the wife and I sorted through decades of family photos, categorizing them by dates and events with labeled index cards for easy digital conversion. This way, future generations can scroll through a neatly organized thumb drive instead of sorting through scattered albums and boxes.

The Takeaway: 

This transition wasn’t just about moving—it was about honoring a lifetime of memories while preparing for a fresh start. Downsizing can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, it becomes an opportunity to prioritize what truly matters. By digitizing family records and thoughtfully decluttering, this couple ensured their most cherished moments remain accessible while making their next chapter stress-free.

📞 Call us at 317.514.9793 or 📧 email info@completerelocationsolutions.com to start your journey toward a clutter-free future!