Once you’ve decided to move to a senior living community, one of the next tasks at hand is to start the downsizing process. Letting go of personal belongings can be stressful for some, especially if you associate them with certain moments in your life. However, downsizing can actually be physically and mentally beneficial, according to The Huffington Post’s spotlight of Marie Kondo’s bestselling book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” When you’ve come up with a plan of action and you’re ready to tackle your home, there are some helpful questions you should ask yourself to determine what items to keep, and which items to give to family members or donate.

1. Does it have any sentimental value?

One simple way to start the downsizing process is by going through the items in your home and asking yourself if they are meaningful to you. If the answer is no, you may want to consider gifting them to a family member or donating them to a charitable cause. Not only will it make the downsizing process easier, but you can feel good about giving back to the less fortunate or gifting a family member with a prized possession.

2. Will it benefit me in my new living space?

When you relocate to a retirement residence, your new space may not fit all of your existing furniture, so you will need to make some choices. Consider your new layout and ask yourself: Will this piece of furniture fit? Will this item benefit me in my new living space, or would another item work better? Measure your new room before you start downsizing to help you get a feel for exactly how much space you have to work with, and only bring with you useful or treasured items or furniture.

3. Have I used it recently?

If there’s an item that doesn’t have any sentimental value to you, but you are still unsure about parting with it, ask yourself: Have I used this item recently? If the answer is no, place it in the donation pile. By eliminating clutter that already exists in your current living space, you can start fresh in your new home in a clutter-free, serene suite.