Just Downsize

09/01/2026

09/01/2026

You can also drop them off at IKEA with lightbulbs 💡

Did you know batteries are considered Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)? 🔋

They contain toxic chemicals like lead and mercury, which can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. Never throw them in the garbage or recycling!

Here’s how to dispose of them safely:

1️. Store used batteries in their original packaging, a clear plastic bag, or cover the positive terminal with tape.

2️. Drop them off at a Community Environment Day or Drop-Off Depot.

3️. Use Toxic Taxi for free residential pickup if you have 10–50 kg of HHW.

08/22/2026

Whether you call me Justine or Just, there is one time you should definitely call me: when you are ready to finally get organized! I am here to make the process easy and stress-free.

08/15/2026

Helping a parent downsize can bring up a lot more than just decisions about what to keep or donate.

There can be different opinions, emotional attachments, tight timelines, and family members who are not always on the same page.

In my latest blog, I share how a professional organizer can help make the process feel calmer and more manageable. From creating a clear plan and breaking the work into smaller steps to coordinating donations and helping families make decisions, having a neutral person involved can take a lot of pressure off everyone.

If you are helping a parent prepare for a move, transition into retirement living, or simply start downsizing their home, this blog is for you. 💛

Take a read, and feel free to share it with someone who may need a little help figuring out where to start.
https://www.justdownsize.ca/blog/how-professional-organizers-help-families-downsize-together

08/14/2026

Not sure where to start? Start with one category.

In this home, we started with china. We took everything out of the cabinet and drawers, then sorted it into simple piles: keep, give to kids, and donate.

It sounds small, but you would be surprised how much can be hiding in one cabinet.

Once everything is out in the open, it becomes much easier to see what you actually use, what has meaning, and what is ready to move on.

You do not have to declutter your whole home at once. Start with one cabinet, one category, or one decision at a time.
Small steps still create real progress. 💛

08/13/2026

Helping a parent downsize can feel emotional, especially when everyone has different opinions about what should stay, what should go, and where to begin.

A professional organizer can help keep the process calm and manageable. We break the project into smaller steps, help families make decisions, and keep the focus on what will fit and function in the next home.

Read the blog to learn how professional organizers help families stay on the same page during a downsize.

08/11/2026

I’m looking forward to being a guest speaker for OSSCO Tele-Learning on Wednesday, September 9th, presenting “Declutter Your Life.”

If you’ve ever stood in the middle of a room, looked at everything around you and thought, “Where do I even start?” this session is for you.

Decluttering can feel overwhelming, especially when you’ve lived in your home for many years, and your belongings are connected to memories, family and different stages of your life. During this presentation, I’ll share a practical and pressure-free approach to getting started.

We’ll talk about where to begin, how to sort belongings, what to do with things you’re not ready to make a decision about, donation options, and how doing a little bit now can make a future move much easier.

And remember, getting prepared doesn’t mean you’ve decided to move. It simply gives you more options.

📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM
💻 Zoom or telephone
✅ Free for all Ontarians age 55+

Or follow me at justdownsize.ca,
Contact me at: [email protected]

Registration is required through Eventbrite, or you can contact OSSCO at [email protected] or 416-785-8570 ext. 224.

I’d love for you to join me, and please feel free to share this with someone who might benefit from the conversation.

08/10/2026

I’m excited to be presenting “Declutter Your Life” with OSSCO Tele-Learning this September! 🏡✨

If you’ve ever looked around your home and thought, “I don’t even know where to begin,” this session is for you.

I’ll be sharing practical, manageable ways to:
• Start decluttering without feeling overwhelmed
• Sort belongings into simple categories
• Handle items you’re not ready to make a decision about
• Find options for donating common household items
• Take small steps now that can make a future move much easier

📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
⏰ 1:00–2:00 PM
💻 Join by Zoom or telephone
🎟️ Free for Ontarians 55+, registration is required

Whether you’re planning a future move, helping a parent downsize, or simply want your home to feel easier to manage, you’re welcome to join me.

And please share this with someone who might benefit. ❤️

08/01/2026

August is the time of year when many families start having bigger conversations. If you have a parent whose home needs some attention, you are not alone in wondering where to start.
This month's newsletter is all about helping a parent downsize in a way that feels manageable and kind, for everyone involved. From starting the conversation to knowing when to call in some help, it is all in there.
Link in bio to read or sign up- https://mailchi.mp/e176f4042366/helping-parents-downsize-without-taking-over