In Part 1 of my interview with my friend Jessica about her and her husband's "epic move," we learned a little about the faith behind their big life change. Now we learn a little more about the excitement and challenges behind their downsizing.
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LOCATION: Grand Junction, CO
OCCUPATION: Management Consultant
FAVORITE THINGS: Dishes, the color Red
CURRENT INSPIRATION: IKEA 2012 catalog, Thrifty and Chic blog, Better After blog
HOW DOES THE HOME YOU MOVED FROM COMPARE TO THE ONE YOU MOVED TO?
We had a 2 bedroom, 1 bath townhouse with living room, dining room, basement family room and large laundry/storage room. The storage space was a huge benefit, but the bathroom was tiny and the kitchen had little counter space. Our new home is an 850 sq. ft. 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment. There is counter space in the bathroom and a much larger kitchen, but less storage space and no laundry.
HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE TASK OF DOWNSIZING YOUR BELONGINGS FOR YOUR MOVE?
Asking myself, "Do I love it?" If the answer was no, it had to go.
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE AND HOW DID YOU MEET THAT CHALLENGE?
Feeling like I needed to keep certain things that I didn't love. An example is my sewing machine - I hardly use it, don't love it, but felt that I needed to keep it. Realizing that I could keep only things I loved, and making practical decisions about what I needed to keep was difficult but necessary.
WHAT SCARED YOU MOST ABOUT DOWNSIZING?
Giving something away that I am going to need in a month.
WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT DOWNSIZING?
Having the space to cleanly and cutely organize the things I have.
WHAT ARE YOUR MUST HAVES IN YOUR NEW SPACE?
Office space, a bedroom I can call a retreat, and room to entertain friends and family. And space-saving, efficient, attractive storage.
IN YOUR UNPACKING, WHAT ONE ITEM SURPRISES YOU THAT YOU KEPT?
Somehow I ended up with 3 brooms in an apartment with all carpet.
ANYTHING YOU REGRET NOT KEEPING?
Not yet!
QUOTE OR MOTTO THAT INSPIRED OR MOTIVATED YOU?
Just Simplify.
WHAT'S NEXT?
A constant vigilance to keep the house from becoming cluttered. I read an article about someone who instituted a "1 item in, 1 item out' rule and I want try it.
WHAT DID YOU LEARN THE HARD WAY?
Everything is bigger than you think....except your moving trailer.
Our stuff did not fit on our trailer. With no time to re-sort or re-pack, we had to rent a truck to make it to Colorado in time for Jason's first day. It wasn't ideal, it was painfully expensive, but God provided a last-minute truck at a discounted rate and friends to help load it on short notice.
WHAT ADVICE OR ENCOURAGEMENT WOULD YOU OFFER SOMEONE FACING A SIMILAR LIFE CHANGE?
Be realistic. Analyze the amount of time you have, what options are available, and what you can truly part with in your home. Take the time to include things like old family photos, keepsakes, and those boxes of stuff your Mom gave you when you got married that you haven't looked at. You will want to take all of that with you, so budget room for it.
