Downsizing, To Move or Not to Move? That is the Question

@sueinmn I have a love-hate relationship with sewing machines! I have two older Kenmores and I always head towards sewing machine ads on Facebook or Craigslist. But why do I need more than the two? This is coming from somebody who used to have 11 old machines! When we moved here all of my fabric was sorted by color, into bins and stacked. We traded the neighbors a steel Shelf unit 4 an armoire, so now all my fabric is in that armoire. Except for the Browns and Southwest Fabrics. I need to start sewing more donation quilts, and use this fabric up. It will feel good to organize and see what you truly have. I couldn't believe how many pairs of scissors I have!

My husband has increased his inventory of hand tools since we moved here, and brought much in the way of hardware with him. It has come in handy as he rebuilds things, so it's hard to complain about that. But we both released a lot of things before and during the move, and had little sentimental value to things. There is no need for some of the clothes that we had. But I did keep the heavier jackets! He affectionately tells his son that he is setting quite a nice workshop for him when he has passed.
Ginger

Hi Sue,
You posted giving sewing machine away. Some senior centers accept them, and give them to an in need senior who sews. Same with left over material.
I was a big knitter back in the days. When I quit knitting all supplies went to the senior center, and everything was put to good use.
You. and husband live in 400 sq.feet, did you mean 1,400?
Are you in a mobile home?
I’m on a SLOW ROLL today. Doing laundry, and clearing papers out. My goal is to empty entire rooms out. It’s a chore for sure.
Glad your husband is doing his part, but I’m sure he will hold onto his college books.
Funcountess

Without the Brother machine I'm giving away, I will have 4 in MN & 1 in TX - but I do use all of them, so don't feel bad about it. My quilting fabrics are well-organized by type & color in shallow bins. I have to admit 400 + masks and 2 quilts this Spring & Summer have not made a noticeable dent in the supply, even though I have not bought fabric all year - so I'm on a fabric diet for a while yet! Planning 2 t-shirt quilt Christmas gifts using fabric I already have on hand will be my next challenge.
My other fabrics date back to my working days & the times of costuming belly dancers. Not doing either any longer, it is time to part company with that which I will never use. (Some I saved thinking I might have little granddaughters, but I got my precious boys instead.) I belong to a Textile group and the American Sewing Guild, so my treasures will easily find new homes. Maybe that will gain me enough space to set up a dedicated painting area - right now I have to put all sewing stuff away & cover the cutting table every time I want to paint, so I don't do it often.
Sue

Hi - Yes, we do live in 400 sq feet in winter - a one bedroom mobile home with great room & bath. It's just right - I can clean in 30 minutes. But we have to keep everything put away, all the time, or it becomes intolerable. Even my "big house" doesn't have quite 1400 sq feet.

Our senior center is still closed, so it's not an option for donations now, but we have a very active freecycle group in the community, and there are 2 active requests for a machine - one from a young Mom, so it will go to a good home. We have given away dozens of possessions to our neighbors over the past 2 years, and it's good to know items will be put to good use. The group rules allow me to decide who gets an item - not just the first to ask, so if I feel someone is just hoarding stuff, or turning around and selling it, I can give it to someone else. My kids use it too - much of the outdoor play equipment at both of our houses came from there.
Sue

Thanks for the recommendation Starchy. I'll look into that.

Hi sue my name Is dave and I hope I'm sending this message to right person. You stated you had some boxes that were the kids possions right? So if this is right what my mom and dad would do is everytime I would stop by as I was leaving there was 1 more thing before I left and my parents would come out with a present. The present was a box wrapped in newspaper with my stuff in it. It was not overwhelming for either of us and as they say how do you eat an elephant one bite at a time.

@starchy, Your post was written so thoughtfully and curious about the book you mentioned: "The End of Old Age", I checked out the reviews on Amazon. What was most curious was that reviewers either gave it a 5-star rating or a 1 rating. I'll be checking with our library to see if it is available. I'm interested in how others come to decisions of whether to stay in place or change locations and have appreciated the posts shared here. I can make pro and con lists all day long, separate what is of greatest value from unnecessary but have yet to come up with a device that guides me to conclude which I'll pursue for the next 2-3 years.

I hope you will be able to get ahold of the book. He stresses the importance of having a plan (a road map) in place ahead of time which sounds like what you are working on. If we just move somewhere new or retire from our career without a plan in place then we may end up feeling abandoned and stuck. For me, when I retired, my church community was a great support. I knew they would always be there and provide lots of interesting activities and connections so that I wouldn't feel bereft of my work colleagues. I also had a new grandson and I committed to helping with his care for a few months so that gave me a new role in life. However, the first day as I was travelling to his house to take up my new role, there were a lot of mixed emotions. If I hadn't had those supports in place, I might have continued working longer, just because I didn't have a "future" planned. Press on. It's so worth it.

I have had another thought on this subject. Is it possible to simplify without downsizing or moving?

Some examples:
Edit possessions and give away/sell that which we no longer need.
Clear out space in the house to make it safer and easier to get around (and easier to keep up.)
Do a comprehensive safety upgrade - replace door knobs with levers & fix all sticking doors, install extra handrails, safer bathing facilities, grab bars in bath (we incorporated attractive ones in a remodel several years ago.)
Possibly alter the location of living spaces like moving a laundry to the main floor.
Replace high-maintenance gardens with more easy-care shrubs & heavy mulch.

To take it even farther, create a second living space where someone can live in exchange for yard care & household tasks.

Has anyone considered or tried these options?
Sue

All really good ideas. For a while before we moved into our independent community, we lived in a condo that had been built for senior citizens. Wide doors and hallways, trigger door knobs, no thresholds, no shower sill, grab bars in bathrooms, wheel accessible everything. Easy to retro-fit other places like this.