EMPTYING YOUR
NEST
S
BY PERRI KERSH
o much about our home and how we live in it has been dictated by our children for the last 20-plus years. From where we lived (access to quality schools, a yard to play in, children in the neighborhood) to how we lived (so much baby equipment, child proofing, Lego management, playrooms, then teen rooms and more … ), our home was very much focused around our kids. And I wouldn’t have it any other way! However, this fall we will send our youngest off to college and officially become empty nesters while also moving into a new home we’re building. This bittersweet lifestyle change and upcoming move has me thinking about transitioning to life in a home that is more focused on us rather than our offspring. For many, the idea of downsizing your belongings sounds like something done just prior to moving into a retirement community. But it can be very freeing to hit the reset button a little earlier in life (and trust me, your future self will thank you!) and assess what you have in your home once your kids are leaving for their next big adventure. Downsizing your possessions by letting go of things you no longer need, use or love is a great way to mark this next stage of life, whether your plan is to simplify and stay put, or you’re 100
CHATHAM MAGAZINE
Perri Kersh works with individuals, families, small-business owners and students to help them get and stay organized through her company, Neat Freak Professional Organizing. She currently serves as the immediate past president of the North Carolina chapter of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Learn more about her at neat-freak.com.
SUMMER 2022
ready to move into a smaller space. I’ll share a few of my favorite tips below and hopefully inspire you to tackle your own empty nesting tasks this year! First, have a family conversation about your plans. Discuss your desire to downsize and get everyone on the same page so you can avoid heartache or hurt feelings. Talk about plans to repurpose space, prioritize what family members want to keep and avoid making assumptions about things your kids might want (I promise you … they really don’t want your old stuff). Next, daydream about your home and how it’s going to work for you. Part of this experience may include looking at the functions of the rooms in your house. Could a spare bedroom now work as a home office or hobby space? If your teens had a hangout space in your basement, could you turn that into a home gym? Maybe your underutilized dining room can become a cozy den. Focus on the people living in the house full time, and make the space work for you. When it’s time to declutter, start with the simple stuff. Clothing your children left behind and haven’t worn for more than a year is unlikely to be worn. And I’ve yet to meet a Gen Z individual who is interested in all of their schoolwork from K-12. Old toys, gaming systems, art supplies, cords