How to Downsize Your Home Without Losing Peace of Mind
You’ve lived in your home for decades. It’s full of the scent of holidays and time in front of the fireplace, of fresh-baked cookies and summer nights. How could you ever leave it?
But the truth is, it’s getting harder to go up the stairs or keep the grass cut. You wish it wasn’t so difficult to get laundry out of the downstairs dryer or step over the tub to get into the shower.
You’re also thinking about your health. You’re still in good shape, but your neighbor recently fell and moved to an assisted living community. You aren’t sure that’s where you need to be yet, but what if something similar happened to you?
If you’re experiencing any of these thoughts, you’re not alone. As we age, our bodies change and we need different living accommodations to make life a little easier. Downsizing to a smaller, more manageable home — especially one with only one floor and features designed specifically for seniors — is the answer for many people at this stage.
Telling Friends and Family You Need Help
Once you’ve decided that you want to downsize your home, you’ll need to explain your choice to family members and friends. Depending on their mindset, the conversation may go one of two ways:
They’ll be excited about your next stage of life and interested in helping you declutter, pick out a new home, and move. They may even be relieved that you brought this idea up on your own.
They’ll be confused about why you’re making this choice, or even be resistant — after all, you’re still in good health.
If your friends react in the first way, congratulations! You already have allies on your side. If they react in the second way, or their feelings are mixed, that’s perfectly normal. Just as you grappled with feelings about aging, old memories, abilities, and your health, they will too.
Plan for a conversation with them where you can explain why you’ve made this decision. Tell them about the benefits of downsizing your home, and that you’ll be able to get more out of life in a smaller, simpler house. And explain that you’d rather make the move now (when you want to) versus later (when you might have to).
Don’t be surprised if they don’t agree with you or want to change your mind. Listen to them, but also give them time to think about it, just as you did.