Downsizing

Moving to a smaller home

A downsizing move is most common later in life, usually for seniors and retirees, and it happens for many different reasons. Often, older adults find themselves in large, empty homes after their children have grown up and moved out on their own. It is difficult to move on from the family home, but for practical reasons it is often a good idea to move to a smaller home.

For instance, the upkeep of a large home can be a tiring, time-consuming chore. This is especially true for seniors dealing with back problems, arthritis, or other age-related debilitation. At Laporte Moving, we believe your well-being should always be your priority.

New retirees are also likely to downsize in order to maximize their freedom from obligations to make the most of their hard-earned retirement. A smaller space is much easier to maintain and organize. Less clutter can help you simplify your life and reduce stress.

Regardless of the reason for your downsizing move, it can be physically and emotionally taxing. Perhaps the greatest difficulty lies in parting with the family home. Most people need time to get used to the idea of leaving behind the place they raised their families. Our team of compassionate movers are always mindful of the emotional turmoil in these situations.

Separating yourself from your possessions can also be especially difficult. Belongings that you have accumulated through many years will not be easy to pack up for storage or discard. Be kind to yourself and make time to go through your things thoroughly and at a pace you can handle. It’s best to decide what you’ll keep, store, or discard before you move, not after you move.

Downsizing Tips

Increase the sorting area. It’s best to begin sorting in the rooms that have been used least frequently. The laundry room, basement, attic, and spare or guest rooms are some examples. This method avoids adding clutter to the rest of the house, which you will still be making use of.

Be organized. Use lists, stickers, and labels or whatever else helps you to keep track of where things are going. Even basic sorting using piles or keeping things in separate rooms can be greatly beneficial. You can avoid confusion with proper organization, especially if your moving help was not around to help with sorting. Of course, LaPorte’s movers would be glad to help with this!

Start sorting early. Sorting through your possessions and deciding what to keep is going to take time. Working at a pace you’re comfortable with is the best way to avoid being overwhelmed by the difficult emotions that come with downsizing.

Know your new space. Having the measurements and layout of the rooms of your new home will make it a bit easier to decide what to take into your new home. Keep the measurements of your furniture and large items in mind when deciding what you’re taking with you.

Be practical. Think about what things you really make use of on a regular basis and what things you keep around solely out of habit. You might find it surprising what you’ve been keeping around that you have barely even used.

What should you do with your possessions?

The best way to minimize the feelings of loss when you downsize is to keep the items most important to you in your family or with close friends. It can even feel good to see further generations of your family enjoying things you have treasured, knowing that they will pass down the line.

If you have any items with high sentimental value that you don’t have room for and that you can’t find a family member or friend to give to, consider if storing them is in your budget. You might also be able to keep some of your things in a friend or relative’s attic or basement.

There are several options for what remains. Garage sales are a great idea to help you downsize while recouping some of the costs of the move. Any high value items might be worth auctioning for the same reason. If you don’t have the time or desire to go through these processes, consider donating some things to a charity. You can often arrange free pickups of items for local charities. Whichever solution you choose, our senior sensitive movers are happy to help with shipping items to other locations, donating items to charities in need, or disposing of  unwanted items.

There is an up side

It is tough to move on from a home with so many memories attached to it, or to give up possessions you’ve had around you for many years. There is no doubt about the emotional toll downsizing can take. However, once you have completed your downsizing move, you will come to see the advantages of having downsized.

Your new living space will be free of many useless things that previously only added to clutter in your home. With less clutter, your new home might actually feel bigger. It is also much easier to organize and maintain a smaller space with fewer things. You won’t have to waste time and effort on the upkeep of a large home. Downsizing allows you to simplify your life and live a more stress-free existence.