A retiree’s guide to downsizing on your timeline

Your home is much more than a physical structure that has sheltered you and your family from the elements. It’s sheltered you from life’s storms. It’s where you’ve felt safe and comforted as you raised your family and made memories.

But as we get older, some of us will come to realize our needs are simpler now. We may no longer need the big house, big yard and seemingly endless stairs. If you’ve been toying with the idea of downsizing, but the thought of packing and moving stops you in your tracks, there’s good news.

You don’t have to move tomorrow to start getting ready for it today. By beginning a slow-but-steady approach to this potential move down the road, you can prepare yourself for a less-chaotic — even exciting! — journey to your next home.

Start today

Acknowledge today that, someday, you’re going to move. This mindset can help:

• Reduce your stress. Having a measured pace regarding your eventual move helps you avoid the anxiety of having to make last-minute decisions.

• Get you emotionally ready. This slower pace gives you time to say goodbye to your house. Take pictures and document them. When the time comes to move, and if you’ll have a smaller yard, take a perennial plant or two from your yard to transplant to your new place. Have an artist friend? Have them draw or paint a picture of your home you can display in your new home.

• Prepare you to make well-informed decisions. Thinking about moving today gives you plenty of time to explore housing options and lifestyle factors so you can come up with a plan you’re happy about.

Begin decluttering

Unless you’ve always been a minimalist, you probably have a lot of stuff. It can be hard to sort through your things, but starting early gives you time to decide what to keep — and to make peace with what you’re giving away.

You probably have a system for housecleaning and laundry. Come up with one for decluttering so it can become part of your routine.

Here’s a suggestion. Set up five categories in boxes or bags:

• 🔒 Keep: Essentials and sentimental items
• 🎁 Give: Things that family or friends may need — or would want and love!
• 🫴 Donate: Belongings in good condition for a nonprofit organization
• 💸 Sell: Valuable items you no longer want
• ♻️ Recycle/trash: Broken or unusable items. (Check to see if your city has an electronics recycling center for broken appliances, etc.)

• Then …

  • Spend 10-15 minutes a day decluttering. Brief, consistent efforts will help you establish the habit.
  • Start with one small thing at a time like a drawer.
  • Declutter areas like the pantry or bathroom to build confidence and momentum before tackling bigger areas or sentimental belongings.
  • Remove items as you go. This will help you see progress from your efforts.

Your generosity can help others while freeing up space for you. Less stuff makes living in your house easier. It also means that if the perfect new living situation pops up, you’re ready to act.

Picture your new home

When it’s time to move, think about:

• The floor plan. Get a copy of it, or visit your potential new home. Knowing the size and layout helps determine which furniture and belongings will fit comfortably.
• The storage. Know what storage is available, and if it will be big enough for your things.
• Accessibility. Is the home or building easy to get into? Is there a step-free front door or other modifications?
• Common spaces. If you’re moving into a senior living facility, are there common rooms for socializing with other residents or entertaining your guests?

When you do move, if you need extra help, consider hiring a company that specializes in moving older adults to their new homes. Their services range from decluttering, to sorting, packing and arranging your new space, to managing the sale of your valuable items.

Look on the bright side!

As you begin thinking about your someday move, congratulate yourself on the steps you’re taking now.

When you move — five years or five months from now — focus on all the pluses of downsizing: lower maintenance, (hopefully) lower expenses, a safer environment, and, depending on where you live, more time to be with loved ones or meet new friends.

Start today. Start small. And take comfort in knowing you’ll be ready to move when the time is right.