As people adjust to the new economy and become more environmentally aware, one strategy continues to grow increasingly popular: Downsizing. Young and old are deciding to leave (preferably not through foreclosure) their high end mortgages with square footage to match, and moving into smaller, more affordable homes.

This is an exhausting experience emotionally and physically so waiting until moving day to begin deciding on what to keep and what needs to go is not a good strategy. Moving is already a stress loaded challenge. It's not the best time to start handling downsizing decisions as well.

Here are 3 Stress Relieving Downsizing steps to keep every member of the family relatively nonplussed when it comes to needing to get rid of a percentage of their possessions.

Plan Early and Work at a Steady Pace - Starting a year before your move is a wise beginning. Set up a weekly goal of going through one room, closet or storage space a week. Within each designated space project, determine to fill up 1 or 2 boxes to trash, donate or pass on to someone else not living with you.

How do you determine what should stay or what should go?

Have every member of the family ask these questions when deciding on an item: - When is the last time I used it? Anything not touched within 6 months to a year should be boxed up. - Am I holding on to this because I love it or because I don't want to hurt someones feelings? -Will I really ever loose that 10 pounds to fit into that?

These 3 simple questions alone will go a long way in identifying an amazing amount of belongings that you simply no longer need.

Hire a Professional Organizer to maintain objectivity. Detachment is a tough perspective to maintain when it comes to things you have surrounded yourself with for so many years. Professional Organizers have been trained to handle your the difficult process of managing emotions as you work through your attachments to stuff. A professional knows how to strategically move through each step, monitoring your emotional responses while moving through the hard work of leaving things behind.

Another professional you may want to retain is a professional Estate Sale Organizer. They won't cost you any money up front but they will take a percentage of your actual sales. Those who do choose to hire an Estate Organizer usually make more money than if you were to hold a simple yard or garage sale. The biggest perk is you don't have to deal with the logistics of the event.

Step 3) Adjust your attitude. Realize that stuff is not the measure of your quality of life. It's about simple living and organized spaces filled with people you love, making memories you cherish. It's about the intangibles of living light, laughing and loving. As the old saying so poignantly illustrates "I've never seen a U-haul following a Hearse."

The most challenging hurdle to overcome is an emotional one. If you are having a really difficult time getting rid of too many things at once...though I recommend this as a LAST RESORT, rent a storage space. Put the things that are not absolutely needed at your new home in the storage unit until you are ready to deal with them. You will be amazed at how well you get along with out them!

Downsizing is a noble decision for some, a necessity for others. By taking advantage of the 3 steps found in this article, you will be better prepared to move into your new smaller home without bringing in space hogging clutter.