This is a multi-part series about how we downsized successfully, and we hope it will help anyone considering—or already in the process of—changing their circumstances.

If you haven’t read Part 1 yet, I recommend starting there. I cover how we planned using SMART Goals and set ourselves up for success. Link to Part 1: Done!

A Quick Recap

On October 22, we made our final “deposit” of belongings into a 10 by 10 storage unit in our new state. After finishing the initial downsizing, we started reflecting on how we actually completed such a huge task.

Planning was step one. Step two, which I want to focus on here, was breaking our goals into smaller, manageable pieces. This made the process feel less overwhelming and gave us a sense of progress along the way.

One of my favorite sayings—though I don’t know who originally said it—is:

“How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.”

This became our mantra as we faced the enormous task ahead.

Breaking Down the Big Picture

We divided our priorities into two main areas: Inside the house and the yard. Inside, we focused on two segments: the physical structure and our personal possessions.

From there, we moved room by room—master bedroom, children’s bedrooms, office, living/family room, bathrooms, kitchen, and attic. For each space, we asked ourselves a series of questions:

• What do we need to live for the next year?

• What don’t we need but want to keep for personal value?

• What could we sell or donate?

• And finally, what must be discarded?

It wasn’t easy. Sorting through decades of belongings brought up memories, emotions, and sometimes second-guessing. But having a simple framework helped guide us through the tough decisions.

Room-by-Room Reflections

Even the bedroom required careful thought. Clothes, knick-knacks, pictures, and trinkets were sorted with care. Some items we decided to keep for sentimental reasons, others we donated or sold.

Then came the kitchen. At first glance, you might think it’s just pots and pans—but anyone who loves cooking knows it’s more than that. I kept my Instant Pot handy because I knew I’d use it for the next year. My pie pans? I kept my favorites, sold a few, and donated the rest.

The process took time, and sometimes we had to step away for a mental reset. But each room we completed, felt like a small victory or another 'bite' done.

Moving Items and Staying Organized

Once the rooms were sorted, we organized items based on their next destination:

• Items to sell went to flea markets or yard sales

• Donations went to local centers

• Trash went to the refuse center

• “Keep” items were stored in bins in our garage, in a rented storage unit, or directly in our utility trailer

We also realized that you don’t always need to “measure your future space” before decluttering. Even without a definite new home, it’s possible to focus on what you truly need and love, and let go of what has outlived its usefulness.

Celebrating Progress

Reflection was an essential part of the journey. At the end of each day, week, and month, we looked at what went well, what was harder than expected, and what we might do differently for the next step.

Celebrating small victories kept us motivated. For example, after moving 41 bins out of the attic, we went out to dinner—because after two weeks of downsizing, neither of us wanted to cook!

Reflection and Moving Forward

• Pause and notice progress. Even small steps forward deserve recognition when you’re making a big life change.

• Be honest about what’s hard. Some items and decisions carry emotion—acknowledging that makes the process healthier.

• Adjust as you go. What feels right one week may change the next, and that’s part of growth.

• Celebrate milestones. A dinner out, a quiet moment, or a shared smile can mark real accomplishment.

Moving Forward with Change: Setting Goals

“Letting go wasn’t about losing things—it was about choosing what mattered enough to carry forward.”