News & Events

It's the right time to let go of your stuff.

Toronto Star — September 17, 2020

It’s not just you. Almost every single person out there has too much stuff. “Retirement is one of those life moments where you take stock,” says Karen Shinn, co-founder of Downsizing Diva. “It’s just one of those life transi-tions. It’s another reality check where you have an opportunity to ask: What is serving me? And what is not serving me so well?”

More: Let go of stuff - Toronto Star 2020-SEP-17.pdf

Downsizing a Home? Here Are 7 Tips to Get You Started

Lending Tree — May 5, 2020

“For others, [downsizing your home] means totally changing your lifestyle to one of minimalism,” said Karen Shinn, co-founder of Downsizing Diva, a Toronto-based company that helps seniors downsize, organize and move....

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Time to Lighten Up

By Karen Shinn in North of Fifty Magazine — July 8, 2019

Did you know that 1,000 Canadians turn 65 every single day? As Canada’s population ages, the number of people planning to move dramatically increases. Of course, moving means sorting, editing and purging treasures that have been accumulated over a lifetime and this process can be emotional and often overwhelming. Take a look into our homes and you’ll discover...

More: North-of-50-article.pdf

Photo-op: 7 steps to manage your photo collection

By Karen Shinn on Toronto.com — June 28, 2019

For almost 20 years, we have been helping people organize, downsize and move. One of the questions we are often asked is … “What can I do with all of my photos?” Some of these photos are in albums, lots are in frames, but most of them are tucked away in cases, closets or cabinets.

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Home / Opinion / Garage Sales Are A Great Way To Clear...

By Karen Shinn on Toronto.com — May 22, 2019

Holding a garage sale can be a great way to clear clutter, meet interesting people and maybe make a few dollars in the process. Here are some Diva tips if you are thinking of holding a garage sale:

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Downsize the junk drawer — for 15 minutes

Toronto.com — March 29, 2019

'Organizing your junk drawer is a rewarding project,' writes Karen Shinn.

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11 Things to do Before You Downsize Your Home

BusinessInsider.com — March 26, 2019

11 things to do before you downsize your home, according to an expert who gets hired by seniors to help them declutter.

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Toronto says farewell to winter: Top 10 spring 'clearing' tips

By Karen Shinn on Toronto.com — March 18, 2019

See Karen's monthly column on Toronto.com

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Is your garage scarier than your Halloween decorations? VIDEO

October 30, 2018

Time to get your car back in your garage before the snow flies! Here are 8 easy steps to follow to clear the clutter in your garage.

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Toronto's 6th Annual Caregiver Show

October 15, 2018

Join us for the 6th Annual Toronto Caregiver Show at the Ontario Science Centre on Saturday, April 27th, 2018. Thanks to StarMetroland Me

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The Diva Plastic Bag Theory 101 VIDEO

May 9, 2018

Watch Karen Shinn: when downsizing, it helps to know when to use a clear, black or blue plastic bag. 2 minutes - 33 seconds.

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The 3 Ps of Downsizing VIDEO

May 9, 2018

Karen Shinn talks about what to pitch, patch and throw away. 2 minutes - 16 seconds.

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Three Things We Know About Downsizing VIDEO

May 9, 2018

Watch Karen Shinn talk about the three things she knows for sure about downsizing. 1 minutes - 15 seconds.

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Downsizing those heirlooms

November 13, 2017

From the onset, Boomers set out to change the world – and change it, they did. In the 1950s and ’60s, there was a rapid increase in the number of schools built, in the late ’60s, a community college system emerged and now retirement residences and hospitals are ramping up to embrace the Boomers as they continue to age.

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Downsizing Zoomers

Zoomer Radio, aired October 9th, 2017 — October 31, 2017

More and more Zoomers and their families are downsizing. Whether they just want to get rid of unnecessary clutter, or downsizing to live in a smaller spaces. But moving at any age can be quite overwhelming when you’ve lived in your home for many years. We speak with the co-founder of Downsizing Diva, Karen Shinn, who specializes in moving seniors.

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How unwanted family heirlooms create a divide with aging parents

The Current – CBC Radio, aired August 25, 2017 — October 31, 2017

Parents see heirlooms. Their kids see junk to clean up. It's a keepsake dilemma for families. (Pixabay.com)

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Zoomer Week in Review Podcast

Zoomer Radio, aired September 3, 2017 — October 31, 2017

Karen was interviewed by Libby Znaimer - ZOOMER radio for "ZOOMER Week in Review", which aired on September 2nd and 3rd, 2017. Listen for Karen at the 10 minute mark.

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Find the upside to downsizing a lifetime of treasures

Toronto Globe & Mail, by Angela Kryhul — July 31, 2012

Find the upside to downsizing a lifetime of treasures. For Kay Brundage, 88, the hardest thing about downsizing from a two-bedroom condo to...

More: upside.pdf

Trash Talk: Advice from the downsizing trenches

Toronto Star, Ellen Moorhouse, Your Home Columnist — March 18, 2012

Trash Talk: Advice from the downsizing trenches. How do you make downsizing easier? I have received emails from people truly suffering

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This firm helps boomers cope with shock of downsizing

Toronto Star, by Susan Pigg, Business Reporter — April 16, 2010

This firm helps boomers cope with shock of downsizing. Boomers are finding they need help dealing with the overwhelming effort and

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