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Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question
Aging Well | Last Active: Mar 23 9:13pm | Replies (473)Comment receiving replies
@zep, You make me smile! Wellll, good dirt leads to good results, yes? Autumn and May Night Salvias are 2 of my mainstay perennials as well as yarrow, Shasta daisies…oh, don’t get me started..lol
My all time favorite though is a soft curving spread of New England Asters which die back in winter but make the most striking light purple burst of color in the fall. They are a stunning backdrop for fall mums.
So,I’m not wanting to play one upmanship of course because this is a place of sharing not competition, right? But, if you think pollinating zucchini flowers with Q-tips is “kinky”, what would you say to starting your own celery and carrots by cutting off the ends of several fresh-from-the-grocery stalks, placing them in a shallow dish of water and watching the tops sprout???? Beyond help? Needs to get a life? Must be realllly hungry? VBG stands for very big grin but I like “guffaw” even better!
Thanks @lilypaws, Laughing because “hoot” is one of the first words little Texans are taught. Think it is a pre-requisite for kindergarten here. Hugs
@starchy, Thank you so much for your thoughtful, very encouraging downsizing post. Each of the reasons you used in making your decisions are the priorities for me as well.
I’ve been giving considerable thought to making a move for a couple of years. While my original plan was to move into an independent sr. living establishment which also provided “graduated care” as needed, the covid virus has me rethinking that. The virus has had devastating effects on nursing homes and while different from what I’d been thinking of moving to, that has made me be so thankful that I am still in my own “stand alone” home.
One of the appeals for me was the “built-in” social opportunities in a senior facility. What has it been like for you socially in moving from the suburbs to the city?
Like you, I am still young enough and healthy enough to make my own decisions and want to spare my out-of-state family the time,effort and hardship of having to deal with all connected with a move later.
Already disposing of and donating things in this pre-planning stage has also made me very aware of making new purchases.
What you wrote needs to be read and considered by every consumerism driven adult.
“One of the effects of downsizing has been to make me consider very carefully before buying anything at all because every single thing that we buy will have to be disposed of eventually and much of it will end up being garbage. The planet can't cope with much more garbage.” Wow! I love this! Can’t express adequately how encouraging it is to hear from someone who has made the move that you have no regrets about your decision. Thank you.
Replies to "@Zep, You make me smile! Wellll, good dirt leads to good results, yes? Autumn and May..."
@fiesty76 - that's great! Making someone smile makes my day.
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Thank you for your kind words.
There was one social thing that made it easier for me to leave my old home. For a number of reasons, I had never developed really deep friendships with my old neighbours. My kids never went to the local schools. Most families on the street were either younger or older than we were. My husband had long term health issues. I was often busy working long hours, etc. My neighbours were nice people and we were friendly but we never developed those deep connections so I didn't feel the wrench of leaving them behind.
I actually find socializing much easier now because I don't have so far to travel. I used to have to drive about half an hour to the subway. Now I just walk a block to the station. My friends and I meet close to the subway line so it's simple for all of us. I have reconnected with some long ago friends who happen to live in the new neighbourhood and, because of the change of location, I am able to spend more time with a couple of volunteer organizations that are full of lovely people.
My main source of friendship and community is my Unitarian church. It's easily accessible from my new place and there are always activities, volunteer jobs and social events going on. It was my fallback when I retired. I never worried about what I was going to do with all my "free" time once I quit working.
Of course, the time will come when I won't be able to just hop on the train so easily and I have thought, like you, about the benefits of "built in" social activities. I agree that well run seniors' homes are vastly preferable to little old folks living in isolation but Covid has definitely pointed up the disadvantages of nursing homes. Over the years, friends and I have often talked about a "Golden Girls" arrangement. There is a lot to be said for co-housing for people who have some money to invest in it. A few friends buying a place large enough to each have a private "bed sit" with a big common area for eating and socializing. Built in card parties and movie nights. Lots of money saved by only having one structure, one laundry room, one furnace, maybe one vehicle, etc and eventually maybe one support person to help out. It's a thought.
Meanwhile, the goal is to stay as healthy and strong as possible for as long as possible. As someone I know often says, "Healthy, healthy, healthy, dead".