5 Keys to Downsizing Gracefully

5 Keys to Downsizing Gracefully

• START EARLY & CREATE A VISION.

Visualize yourself doing what you love, in a new environment.  You can have your new world any way you want it – you just have to know what that is.  Ask yourself: “What’s important to me?”  Write out what your new life will look like.  Be creative.  Be patient. Take baby steps.

• FIND A PARTNER TO HELP YOU WITH THE HARD STUFF.

For some, the “hard stuff” is heavy lifting of furniture and large boxes.  For others the “heavy lifting” might be just getting a grip on one’s financial picture.  Sometimes, the hard stuff is envisioning the steps you need to take to find that perfect home and let go of the one you’re in. Still for others, it’s whatever it takes to keep a sunny disposition. 

Find someone who will help you with what you find is the “hard stuff”. You might even want a different person in each of these categories – but don’t go it alone.

• TAKE STOCK OF YOUR FINANCIAL SITUATION.

Gather all of your financial records and ask a professional (like a Certified Financial Professional – CFP) to assist you in formulating an understanding of what you’ve got and what your financial life ahead could look like.  Knowing this information will streamline the process of choosing your next home.  

Once that’s complete, if you really want to get a jump on moving forward, find a Mortgage Broker (one who’s recommended by someone you trust is best) and get pre-approved for a mortgage. But even if you won’t need a mortgage on your next (and smaller) home, knowing your financial situation is still a critical early step.

• DECLUTTER WITH INTENTION:  TRASH | DONATE | SELL | KEEP.

Go back to Key #1: Recall the vision you created.  What does your new home and lifestyle look like? What does it feel and smell like? Did you notice that you won’t be able to bring everything with you that you currently have in your larger house?  Isn’t that a good feeling? Starting fresh with less “stuff” will give you room to breathe, room to be creative, and time to do the things that you’ve been dreaming of.

Step into one room in your current house. Open one drawer.  Pull everything in it out, decide which pile those items should be placed into (Trash | Donate | Sell | Keep) and put each one there.  Once everything from the first drawer has been dealt with move on to drawer number two.

Repeat the process.  If you only get one or two drawers done the first day, come back to that dresser the next.  As you make progress, go to Key #5.

• CELEBRATE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 

Small or large; difficult or easy: always celebrate progress. Remind yourself that you’re getting that much closer to your new life.  Take the next step, then applaud and repeat. 

For more guidance of moving on to your Happy Place, visit www.JudeCreamer.com