Do you ever feel as though your home has started to outgrow you? Perhaps there are rooms in your house that simply never get used anymore, and the upkeep takes a lot of your free time. Or maybe you have a large yard that requires time-consuming weekly or daily maintenance. While making a change can feel overwhelming at first, many older adults find that downsizing and moving to a senior living community makes their lives much easier. Here’s how to downsize and make your life simpler as an older adult – so you can focus on what matters most to you.
Once you’ve decided that downsizing your home is the right decision for you, it’s important to recognize that all of your current belongings might not be able to come with you to your new, smaller space. Here are 10 downsizing tips to keep in mind as you begin to plan your move:
If you can get a floorplan of your new living space, you’ll have an idea of how to downsize and how many belongings will be able to make the move with you. Prepare for your moving day by creating a game plan and making sure the movers know what items need to go where.
Lists help keep you organized. Make lists of the rooms you still need to sort through; things to do, like cancelling your utilities and transferring your mail; and things to pack.
As soon as you think that downsizing your home is in the near future, go ahead and start sorting through your belongings. Start in storage spaces like the closets, attic and basement, setting aside the items you no longer want or need as you go.
As you go through your belongings, start making decisions immediately rather than setting things aside for later.
As you decide which items to keep, start designating items to your loved ones. Maybe your daughter has always coveted your wedding China, or your son would like to turn your photo albums into digital copies for you. In addition, don’t forget about charitable donation opportunities.
It’s a good idea to ask for help making decisions about your belongings and getting everything packed up. Moving can be challenging for anyone, and many hands make light work.
Start using up your perishable items in the weeks before your moving day. This way, you’ll have less to pack and can ensure you aren’t wasting anything.
As you clear out rooms, dust and run the vacuum to keep things clean and organized. Cleaning as you go alleviates some of the stress of having to clean the entire house right before your moving day.
Make your first night in your new accommodations as comfortable as possible. Pack a box full of items like toiletries, paper products, linens, any prescription medications, and some snacks.
Downsizing your home is not a small task. Give yourself plenty of time to go through your belongings, make the right decisions, and get everything safely packed for your move.
When you’re ready to downsize your home, we invite you to come for a tour at Advent Christian Village. We’re pleased to bring together all the best parts of small-town living without sacrificing the opportunities of a larger community. You can keep up with the trends and stay connected with your family, all while enjoying the idyllic retirement you’ve always dreamed about. We offer a variety of options for every stage of retirement, including independent living. Contact us today for more information.
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