If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the work you do around your home, you are not alone. Between maintenance, cleaning, landscaping, and organizing everything (inside closets, cupboards, and cabinets), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. All the work required for larger homes can lead many people to consider how to one day Downsize or Rightsize to simplify their life—it isn’t just for seniors!
Last month, I shared helpful steps for an organized move on the Creatively Organized Spaces blog. But when you’re moving to downsize, there’s much more to consider.
Before making big changes, it’s important to consider a few things first. Below, we’ll discuss the benefits of downsizing to simplify your life, the emotional toll it can take, and tips for caring for older relatives during the downsizing process.
Why Downsize?
Simplified Lifestyle
Downsizing has many benefits, but the common thread is a simplified lifestyle. And as a professional organizer, you know I’m a big fan of that! We simplify our homes and lives and make space for what matters most.
Financial Savings
One of the most significant benefits of downsizing is cutting costs. A smaller home typically means lower mortgage payments, reduced property taxes, and decreased utility bills. For retirees living on a fixed income, these savings can provide much-needed financial relief, which leads to less stress.
Less Maintenance & Upkeep
The American dream of a large home, sprawling lawn, and white picket fence sounds nice, but it’s a lot of work!
A smaller home means less surface area to clean, repair, and organize. For seniors, community living is a great option. Many senior living communities offer maintenance services, which means tasks like lawn care, snow removal, and home repairs are taken care of for you.
Safety & Accessibility
A big benefit for downsizing seniors is increased safety and accessibility with single-story layouts, wider doorways, and other modifications. Reducing the risk of falling and other accidents gives seniors and their families peace of mind.
The Emotional Side of Downsizing
It can be especially overwhelming for seniors to downsize because they often have a lifetime of belongings and memories that need to be faced and sorted. This leads to a lot of decision-making, which can be emotionally overwhelming.
I am deeply compassionate about the sensitive nature of downsizing and have worked closely with many seniors to manage the emotional and physical aspects.
Taking frequent breaks, drinking water, eating, and pausing when emotions run high are a few things that help.
Most people need support sorting and decluttering their belongings; a compassionate partner and helpers make all the difference.
It’s important to honor the memories and nostalgia that arise when sorting through the past. For more information about coping with the emotions of downsizing, here is a wonderful article by the Elder Care Alliance.
Caring for Older Relatives During Downsizing
Adult children often help their aging parents downsize, which is bound to stir emotions for everyone. Supporting someone from a long distance can create added stress. This checklist for caregivers from the Family Caregiver Alliance is a good starting point for getting your to-do’s in order. Here are a few other recommendations.
- Find in-person professional support. Whether traveling long distances or not, working with a senior move management professional can reduce stress for everyone. Contact me to learn more about my downsizing services.
- Start sorting and decluttering as early as possible (if you aren’t rushed). It takes longer than you think and requires compassion and a healthy dose of patience.
- Get organized! This is no surprise, but you’ll save time and energy if you get organized early in the downsizing process. Create a notebook or folder to keep all your checklists, contacts, and other important information. Gather supplies like boxes and packing materials. Keep an inventory of belongings as you sort through and pack them. You’ll thank your future self if you do these things beforehand!
For more tips and support in long-distance caregiving, here is a helpful article from the National Institute on Aging.
