Dear Kathi,

We have acquired a lot of furniture over the years and need to get rid of a few pieces. In two years we will downsize into a retirement condominium. I would like to start getting rid of things now so that it won’t be such a large task when we actually do move. It’s so hard to decide what to keep and what to let go. I think my real question is, where to start?

Frieda, Oceanside

Frieda,

It is a great idea to begin your downsizing now. Two years will speed by, and before you know it, you will have to perform this task anyway. Take the time now, set a reasonable pace, and you will make better decisions. To decide which furniture pieces you need to keep, consider what rooms you will have in your new condo. Will you still have a formal dining room? Will your kitchen hold your current table and chairs?

How many bathrooms? Schedule the approximate move date on your calendar. Plan backward from the move date to today and note what needs to be organized. Set a completion date for each major task.
List each room and mark the sub-goals also on your calendar. For instance, Guest Bedroom: Aug 1-8 closet Aug 9-16 curios, Aug 17-24 cabinets and drawers. Take a mental inventory of what is in each room. Make a list of the items that you absolutely wish to keep. Start letting go of items that you know you won’t need in your new condo.

Place these items into boxes for donate or sell. If you are ‘on the fence’ about whether to keep or give away an item, consider boxing it for the time being. Store this box out of site with a note to yourself on the outside.

List the contents within this box and the date it was taken out of the limelight. A month before your move, revisit these boxes. Read the label and the content description. See if you can visualize the items in the box by reading your label. If you have forgotten what these items are, even after reading about them, this is a good indication that you should let them go. Do yourself a favor and do not open this box. Instead, load this box into your car and take it to your favorite charity.

You can read another moving article published last August by visiting

http://www.addspacetoyourlife.com/advice08_05_04.html

Dressing for menopause with style

Dear Kathi,

I’m going through menopause and I can’t seem to find anything that feels or looks good when I wear it. Everything seems frumpy and when I flash I am unbearably hot even when the air conditioning is at full blast. Help! I can’t run around naked at the office and I can’t stand my wardrobe for much longer!.

Betty, Carmel Valley

Betty,

It sounds as if you are ready for a fashion makeover. Layering your shirts can be the key to your success and comfort during hot flashes. Many women layer during this time but often choose the wrong types of fabric for this task. Find the lightest weight fabrics you can buy. Cottons and blends will help keep your temperature regulated and absorb moisture when necessary. Lightweight fabrics can be layered as many as three pieces at a time without feeling restrictive. Most importantly avoid wearing baggy shapes and choose clothes that skim your body.

This will help you feel more fashionable and less frumpy. Skirts are a great wardrobe choice if you run hot and cold. They are very forgiving during hot flashes. Make sure the waistband is not too tight. Avoid elastic waistbands because they tend to restrict your body. Opt for waistlines that lie flat against your body. Side zipper designs are more comfortable and cooler than front zips. When you feel a hotflash approaching, remove a top layer and then another if necessary. If you work in an office,

consider keeping a pair of sandals under your desk or slipping off your shoes discreetly while you are at your desk. Cooling your feet will drop your heat level a few degrees quickly.

Please submit your questions to: advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
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San Diego Professional Organizer