Downsizing vs Rightsizing
I recently learned to differentiate between “downsizing” and “rightsizing” which are not at all the same ideas. According to Right-Sizing.com the idea of rightsizing is a concept of working with what you have by making better use of your current space. It is a focus on the quality of the space needed to meet your needs rather than the size of the space you are currently living in.
Whether your ideal future home will be in the same place you have lived for many years or in a different location, letting go of “stuff” now can help a lot in enhancing your enjoyment and quality of life right now. Those of us who have owned and lived in the same house for 25+ years have generally accumulated a tremendous amount of “stuff”! Many from the “baby boomer” generation have accumulated so much that off site storage units are used.
Moving Doesn’t Need to Be Stressful
The process of letting go can be energizing, liberating and economical. It does not need to be experienced with a sense of loss or deprivation, but the exact opposite. For example, if you decide to only retain what brings you a feeling of joy, and things you really love and make use of, it will become easier to select those things which are no longer useful or that bring you pleasure.
Of course, certain files, house records, tax return information, etc. must be retained for specific periods of time. However, it may be useful to start now with the habit of annual tossing of such items no longer required to hold so they do not continue to accumulate through more years.
It is often difficult to let go of memorabilia left in drawers, closets or boxes in the garage. Sometimes a periodic review of what is still being stored will enable letting some things go, or perhaps offering many items to the family members who may appreciate and enjoy having them now. For example, grandchildren might like to have memorabilia of their parents or great grandparents.
Don’t Forget Charities
Giving items to charitable agencies in the process of streamlining that neither you nor any of your close family members would have use for or enjoyment of is an excellent way to feel good about the process. Most major charity groups will pick up donations and, of course, you can get receipts to use for tax savings for the next year.
It might suit you to have an estate sale or garage sale, either on your own or perhaps with neighbors who share the desire to retain less “stuff”. There are also specialists who plan, organize and perform such sales for people, and they can arrange for donation or disposal of what does not sell.
This “rightsizing” process will assure a higher quality of life and use of space – whether in your current home or in the next one.
