← Back to Blog

The Hanger and Sticky Note Trick That Will Help You Downsize Effortlessly

Senior cleaning out her closet

In general, people like routine. It gives us a sense of security and comfort. However, that also means we overlook how something in our current routine could be improved to make our life better and more enjoyable. For example, where we live. 

After spending years in your house, you might not have noticed that you have more house than you need. To help you get a better understanding of how much house you require, here are a couple of our favorite “Do I actually use it?” downsizing hacks. These will help you determine if your current house no longer fits your needs.  

The Hanger Method

To help you figure out which clothes you no longer wear, take all your items hung in your closet and turn the hangers backward. Then set a calendar reminder for six months and go about your life. Every time you wear something from your closet, turn the hanger around so that it’s no longer reversed. After six months, you’ll know exactly what you haven’t worn. 

The Sticky Note Method: Figuring Out How Much Space You Need

The sticky note method is similar to The Hanger Method discussed above, but it deals with your entire house instead of just your wardrobe. The sticky note method works like this: 

  • Add a sticky note to every drawer and door or entryway.  
  • When you go into that room or open that drawer, write down the reason you were there and remove the sticky note as you use that space.  
  • Collect that sticky note. 
  • After five days, check which areas of your house still have sticky notes. (These are the rooms and areas of your home you aren’t actively using.)  
  • Review the sticky notes you collected and see if any are places or things that could be stored someplace else or combined with other areas.  

The first step to making any change is awareness. Maybe a move to a “right size residence” can give you more freedom to do the things you want. Regardless of what you decide to do, you now know more about how much of your space you use regularly and can make a more informed decision from there. 

Other Decluttering Tips

If you’re in the mood for some serious spring cleaning, here are some other suggestions for downsizing and cutting clutter. 

  • Go slow: If you can, take your time. You didn’t collect all this stuff overnight, so you might not be able to let it go overnight. A couple of weeks to a month or even several months is more realistic. 
  • Empty the trash: Grab a trash bag and walk through the space, throwing away anything broken, damaged or actual trash. 
  • Keepers: Hang on to the things you use, need and that bring you joy or have sentimental value. They’ll help keep your home feeling like you. In fact, you might start with the stuff you know you want first.  
  • Start small: Rather than starting somewhere big like the living room, start in an area with little emotional attachment like the laundry room or linen closet. 
  • Collect favorites: If you collect something specific like shot glasses, wind chimes or teddy bears, you’ve probably been gifted a lot over the years. Rather than taking them all with you, just pick your favorites. If you want, take high-resolution photos of the rest of your collection, and then have them made into a photo book that can sit on your coffee table or mantel. 
  • Stop acquiring: If you’re downsizing or decluttering, it’s probably a good idea not to add to what you have. If you do add something, make sure to also get rid of something. 
  • Label your photos: Collect all your photographs and write the names of the people in them on the back along with the date and location, if you know it. If you don’t know the people in a photo, toss it. Then you can give photos to the people in them or their family. 
  • No more paperwork: Get rid of tax returns after seven years, and don’t keep bank statements you can access online.  
  • Only one: You’ll probably find you have a lot of duplicates of certain things. This is especially true in your kitchen. If you have two or three spatulas and ladles, a couple of oversized stockpots, and four different-sized cookie sheets, it may be time to get rid of your extras. One important decluttering tip is to reduce down to just what’s needed. 
  • Yes or no: Take a hard look at every item you pick up. If you use it regularly, keep it. But it’s time to let something go if it’s been sitting in a closet or on a shelf for a year or more. 
  • Heirlooms: If there are certain pieces you plan to leave to your family, consider giving those gifts now. That way you can enjoy seeing their reaction when they get it and know your items are going to a safe place. 
  • Unpack your emotions: It’s perfectly natural to struggle a bit with nostalgia and want to reminisce as you declutter. Take time to tell stories and remember the good times. 

The Upside of Downsizing

Downsizing can be the beginning of a new chapter filled with comfort, connection and opportunities. At The Village at Gleannloch Farms, residents enjoy maintenance-free living, vibrant social events, wellness programs and resort-style amenities designed for a fulfilling, right-sized lifestyle. If you’d like to learn more, use our Community Assistant chat feature or contact us here.