Right sizing your life
Moving is notoriously daunting. Regardless of where you’re at in life or the reasons behind the move, leaving one place for another – perhaps a home you’ve been in for many years – brings waves of memories and nostalgia that can make the change feel difficult. Also, no one wants to determine which of their things need to go and what will make the move to a new home.
But consider it from another angle. Maybe you don’t actually need everything you have. Maybe downsizing would make your home and life easier to manage. The National Association of Professional Organizers says that we only use about 20% of the things we own. What kind of impact is that unused 80% of things having on our lives?
Studies indicate that living with clutter or just too much stuff can cause people to be distracted, feel overwhelmed and frustrated, causing anxiety, indecision and stress.
Therein lies the beauty and a benefit of moving – the opportunity to downsize or right size. Moving to a new home is the perfect opportunity to evaluate your new space and make conscious decisions around what you actually use and need. Identify the things you use daily. Then weekly. Then monthly. What’s left? Would it truly inconvenience you to let go of those things?
When it comes to family heirlooms or other items with sentimental value, begin by asking your children, grandchildren and other loved ones which pieces are special to them that they would like to have. If they identify items they would like to have, consider passing those items on to them right away rather than listing them in a will. It allows your loved ones a longer time to enjoy the pieces in their homes, and gives you the opportunity to see them enjoying them as well. Don’t be offended if they don’t have the same sentimental attachment to items that you do. They may be trying to simplify their lives of things, too!
If you need extra support determining the things you need in your life, there are professional services that specialize in helping people downsize, move and transition to the next step in life.
Even if a move isn’t in your immediate future, if you feel like you could do with less stuff, it’s always the right time to begin the process of right sizing your life.