Senior Spotlight: A New Perspective On Downsizing
What if downsizing could be less about giving stuff away...
One of the biggest stressors that retirees face is what to do with the wealth of personal and home possessions they have accumulated over the years. Whether moving to a smaller home or not, many older adults find it overwhelming to be surrounded by SO much stuff. Downsizing & decluttering often become the most dreaded "D" words that we face as we age - simply because the thought of having to give things away is not only a lot of physical work - but a large emotional burden.
But what if that load could be mentally lightened? What if we could think of decluttering as not getting rid of stuff - but deciding what we truly want to keep? This is exactly the mindset that one Maryland organization professional prescribes to her clients - per the quote below!
Reframing the process of downsizing possessions is key to making it less daunting. You may even liken it to the Marie Kondo trend of 'what sparks joy'. No matter what you call it - the important thing is how you look at it. Here are a few mindset shifts to consider as you think about living with less:
- Less stuff can equal less stress.
- Offloading clutter is an opportunity for a fresh start.
- What if your home could only be filled with things you actually use & truly love?
- Memories do not vanish even when trinkets do.
- Fear is often what stops us of letting go; do not live in fear of what you cannot do without - enjoy what you can live with in a manageable way.
- Surround yourself with where you are today and want to be tomorrow - not only where you have been.
All of these philosophies were inspired by a recent read in Kiplinger titled "How to Declutter Your Home If You're Moving or Downsizing — 8 Tips to Avoid Overwhelm." While the article has a great action-based guide we encourage you to read in full here, we wanted to highlight not just what to do - but how to approach it.
If there ever was a case of 'mind over matter' - downsizing & decluttering are it! Please remember that living with less is not a punishment - but a rite of passage. You get to choose what to cherish in the present, and that is a gift - just like the dawn of each day. Embrace it!
All my best,
Bobbi
Bobbi Decker
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Broker Associate
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www.bobbidecker.com
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