Finding myself in the situation of considering downsizing after a few decades of upsizing, leads me to discussions with friends and clients about this. For many, the task may seem daunting, and it is, primarily due to the amount of “stuff” accumulated through life.
I welcome the challenge, since it can be viewed as a renaissance… a chance to start afresh while benefitting from all the experience and good things that have come my way. Our big house holds many wonderful artifacts that my wife and I have picked up over decades of travel around the world, and furnishings and art pieces that have been carefully curated over time, aided by our backgrounds in architecture and design.
But then there’s all the rest of it… that “stuff”: the thousands of items that raising 3 kids will bring into the house, and also things that have come from clearing our parents’ homes… If only it could be put into storage to carefully go through… never. That last word is the absolute truth. Dealing with a house that is suddenly less populated yet more full all these things than ever, in rooms that no one ever uses, is excessive and stressful.
Why Downsizing is So Essential
My parents, living in their own home into their 90s, never downsized, and, after they recently left for their eternal homes, I was faced with all of their “stuff” to deal with. So, first of all, never leave this task to your family. Second of all, why not start a whole new chapter of your life as you mature, with a whole new lifestyle of luxury where less is more? It’s guaranteed to inject youthfulness into your outlook, keeping your mind active as you make new choices and stave off Father Time. Think of it as a new haircut or a wardrobe change for your lifestyle!
Think of it as “Right-Sizing” Instead
Downsizing is referred to as “right-sizing” by some, since it’s not always a necessity but, rather, a choice to adjust to changing lifestyles. These changes come about from adjustments in attitude, family size, or work-related circumstances. Regardless of the reason for it, a healthy way to handle downsizing is to consider new homes that make sense economically but also contribute pleasurable emotions and luxurious awarenesses.
Our day-to-day consumerism often culminates in to too many possessions, ones that fill our households as they grow bigger in proportion to growing families and/or higher incomes. As we get older, we may also gain items from our elders that have held special sentiment, and, as we take those in they supplement the other “stuff” that we already have. A home can often become overwhelmed, like a storage facility, if we aren’t diligent over time in selectively parting with possessions as new ones enter the door.
Things to Consider when Downsizing
When the time comes to discuss DOWNSIZING, there should be several considerations, such as lifestyle preferences, neighbourhoods, housing types and requirements.
With a household change, there are several great ways to make this a happy and exciting experience rather than one where we bemoan aging and kids leaving home, or stress about needing to adjust due to diminished income. Change is good, and we simply need to get into that mindset, then start making lists to plan for a move:
- Neighbourhoods – is a European-like walkable urban experience with density, people, friendly amenities and walkability desirable, or a is quiet area with lots of greenery and nature preferable? Are there cultural experiences close by and transit infrastructure, or are there bike trails and waterfronts? Or all of it? Consider the idea of walking to a corner café to sit at a table with a newspaper and a cuppa, meeting new people and neighbours that are out and about, getting to know the proprietors of neighbourhood amenities and feeling like a part of your community. Or perhaps you can imagine having the choice to leave your home to go for a run or a long cycle along a dedicated trail, or even a paddle in your kayak on a nearby waterway as a raft of ducks swims by. Is shrinking your carbon footprint by walking and using transit a consideration, and is this something that would be viable in a chosen neighbourhood.
- Housing type – does one wish a view of ravines or cityscapes. Should the housing unit be multi-level or flat, with outdoor space or shared amenities, with ample parking, storage spaces, attached or detached? Do you have a hobby or collection that needs a designated space… cars, motorbikes, painting canvases, or sewing? Do you have accessibility needs that need to be addressed?
- Programmatic needs – will there be a need for extra bedrooms to accommodate family or guests, a kitchen space to cook in like a chef, principal rooms in which to entertain frequently? Do you have pets that need space to run around, or, if considering a condo, does that building permit you to have pets?
- Possessions – what does one really need to keep? What are your best pieces of furniture, your most special and sentimental pieces of art, your most essential tools and small kitchen appliances and favourite clothes?
These points should all be considerations in enrich one’s life by simplifying, improving, revising… making it feel luxurious rather than compromised.
Are you thinking about downsizing into a condo? Read my post: Don’t Be Unduly Swayed By Glitzy Condorama right here.
Decluttering is the Key
Many Europeans have fewer possessions, live their lives in smaller places in dense urban areas… and are incredibly happy. Happy because they don’t have to fuss with multitudes of possessions that break and need replacing, or sort through so many clothes that they can’t decide what to wear, or deal with rooms that never get used but still need cleaning and decorating. Many don’t list traffic jams as their daily frustration because they don’t need to drive everywhere. They just spend their lives looking impeccable whilst living in compact homes that feel tasteful and well appointed.
Listing favourite furnishings, art, appliances, and daily use items and reimagining them in a different space is useful. The list can be adjusted and revised, but it could be likened to making 3 piles – “keep”, “discard” and “maybe”. I can guarantee that you’ll never again think of those that make it to the discard pile, quickly purged to never be seen again. There are many ways to do this… my handy way is through my cleaning lady, who has a network of people that need things or are connected to distribution channels to donate items to others in need. Selling online can work, but may be cumbersome unless you price your items attractively to sell. In this way, you’ll know that they’re going to someone that wants them. There are shops that happily pay for vintage and mid-century furniture or art pieces.
When the Time Comes to Downsize, Work with a Professional
I have loved helping people with this purging process, assisting with review of financial and lifestyle benefits that follow downsizing. When presented with great options, their enthusiasm has been both refreshing and rewarding. Reviewing the financial implications of moving to a smaller home is a must, prior to embarking on the search, and reviewing all considerations is a worthwhile conversation in the planning stage. I have introduced clients to arrays of unique properties to explore merits and downsides of each, and, with careful consideration, have assisted them with stepping into new shoes and never looking back.
I’ll post future articles about how and where to get rid of that “stuff”, what to keep and how to supplement it, if necessary, how to scope a neighbourhood, things to consider in a condominium. Dealing with downsizing clients is a specialization of mine, and I welcome your questions and thoughts.
Feel free to reach out directly by calling 416-824-1242 or emailing robert@lifeofluxury.ca today.
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