Downsizing is often framed as a positive and liberating experience. You are starting a whole new chapter of your life! However, it can also be stressful — particularly if you have lived in your current home for a long time. Stress has a big impact on not just your mental health, but also your physical wellbeing. For older adults and seniors, managing stress is especially important.
Discover a few easy ways that you can downsize efficiently while keeping your stress levels in check.
Start Early
One of the best ways to reduce stress when moving is the start packing as early as possible. Decluttering and packing items as you go allows you to make mindful decisions about what you want to keep and what you don’t. It also reduces anxiety levels as moving day approaches.
Pack a Neutral Room
The process of throwing out some of your things can be overwhelming, especially when you have a lifetime’s worth of items to sort through. Start with a neutral room that isn’t emotionally charged, like the bathroom or kitchen drawers. Tackling these spaces kickstarts the process without confronting the sentimental value of something like a bedroom or boxes of mementos.
Enlist Helpers
Recruit your close friends and loved ones to help you with decluttering and moving. This is especially important if you feel daunted by the tasks ahead. Having people at your side will allow you to get things done faster and can help keep things fun. Some even opt to hire moving managers to help them with the process.
Allow Yourself to Feel
Downsizing can evoke a lot of emotions, including anxiety, sadness and even grief. These feelings are perfectly normal and should be acknowledged. Having a close friend or family member with you while you declutter can help provide much-needed emotional support. If you feel intense sadness that interferes with daily activities for more than two weeks, speak to your primary care doctor for guidance.
Remember Why You’re Downsizing
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to remember all of the great reasons why you’re downsizing. A smaller space will give you more freedom from laborious housework and less clutter to clean, organize and generally worry about. By buying a new home that is more suitable to who you are today, you’re gifting yourself a better environment that will grow with you into the future.