SENIOR LIVING
MICHELLE RAINER Director of Marketing & Sales The Delaney at South Shore
Managing the Emotions That Come with DOWNSIZING
Most older adults know a day will come when it ’ s time to downsize . Some people dread it . Others take it in stride as a necessary step to the lifestyle they want . Whichever way you look at it , downsizing — or rightsizing your life — can tug at your heartstrings and play with your emotions . To help you get through it without feeling overwhelmed , here are some tips for dealing with the emotions of downsizing . Dealing with The Emotions of Downsizing Recognize your feelings . Sorting , organizing , decision making , and disposing of things you no longer need or want is hard enough . But if you don ’ t recognize the emotional toll the downsizing process can take , it will be even more difficult . Allow some time to reflect on the memories personal items bring back before deciding whether they should stay or go .
Think of it as an adventure . You may be moving to a smaller home , but it ’ s more suited to your future needs than where you live now . Most people who ’ ve made the move to a senior living community find it liberating once they ’ re settled in their new residence . There are new friends , new opportunities and new adventures to experience . And none of the responsibilities of home ownership .
Have a plan . It ’ ll help you feel more in control of the process and ease your anxiety . If you have a moving date in mind , you can plan workdays to get the job done without exhausting yourself . Define goals for each workday on your calendar and write down who will need to be involved to accomplish those goals . Involve friends and relatives early so they can be ready to help when those days arrive .
Start early . Give yourself time to approach the process methodically . Start months ahead of moving day and sort one room at a time . If you aren ’ t rushed , you ’ ll find downsizing to be much less stressful .
Start small . A laundry room or linen closet are good places to start . Avoid diving into a kitchen or garage right off the bat . Garages and basements are often repositories of things you were emotionally attached to but haven ’ t thought about in years . And kitchens can be full of handme-downs and duplicates that take time to sort . Start with the easy rooms and build your confidence before you tackle the harder stuff .
Identify why it ’ s important to you . Be able to articulate each item ’ s purpose . Is it necessary ? Is there sentimental value to the item ? Is it of significant financial value ? Would a family member or friend appreciate it or use it ? If you ’ re having trouble deciding , enlist the help of family members , friends , or a professional .
Keep your eye on the prize .
Dealing with the emotions of downsizing isn ’ t easy . But downsizing your home can rightsize your life . For many older adults , a senior living community offers a lifestyle that better aligns with their wants and needs . Knowing what you want for the next chapter of your life and taking positive steps to make it happen can be energizing . Keep your reasons for moving in mind and downsizing will look a lot less daunting .
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