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

Thank you. I took the advice of many “organizing” books and only kept what I loved from prior homes. Shedding the rest in itself was quite liberating and I’m happy that others are using what I no longer need. It was fun using furnishings and accessories differently than they had been in the past.

NOT FOR EVERYONE - At 70, just turned 78, I sold everything and moved to the Philippines in high density veterans area a few blockes from a VFW. Although many would be unable to adjust I have a livein caregiver for $400.00 a month and a maid 5 days a week for $200.00. There are hospitals that take tri-care and VA FMP nearby. It is primitive in some ways but many advantages. HOWEVER no medicare or private insurance. Tough on wheel chairs but there lots of them. There are thousands of veterans here and many non vets. To me its better than a "forget me" nursing home! I will send my email if any busted up old coots ask for it!

I had the same experience. I thought I’d feel sad and overwhelmed at losing so many of my treasures but it was actually therapeutic. There are a couple of regrets over things I let go of but I had no time to think as our house sold in two days. We had to vacate quickly. If you are considering a move, be prepared in case the same happens to you. However, overall I am happy with my decisions. Keeping only things I truly value gave me a new appreciation for them. Redecorating provided me with the opportunity to showcase them in a new environment and appreciate them all over again. It’s been both rewarding and uplifting!

I admire your courage. I’m so glad you feel positive about your move. I think it’s important to follow your intuition now, at an older age than ever before. Sounds like that’s just what you did. It’s my experience that we know ourselves better so I say “go for it”.

Love your new place. It seems to have a great deal of natural light but most importantly, and I need to hear it, is that you wisely said to get over the mental hurdles involved with moving or it doesn't happen...so very true. Good luck to you in this bright new chapter in your lives.

I’ve started downsizing my possessions, going thru every drawer in the home. Giving to charity as much as possible. Even gave the Gardner almost new furniture. I do not miss anything, but grateful I have the energy to do what I’m doing.
Downsizing is a personal decision, only you can answer.

This is my 39th move as husband was military and dad was navy then mom was single mother.
To move costs $12000 and I tried with a move from Texas to Georgia. Saw daughter. 3 times in 9 months yet she lived and worked 3 miles away.
Looked diligently for independent living VERY $200,000 plus expensive to get in and monthly fees $4000 take all social security. Only transportation for 12 miles to doctors appointments.
Age in place is what I am doing. Pay for lawn$80, house maintenance$$, trash pick up $45.00 month, someone to clean house $24 hour minimum 4 hours week, no public transportation no taxi have to beg neighbors or friends to take 25 miles each way for ride to appointments.
Not perfect and if I when expire from this blood cancer orders are to call UT health science center for willed body pick up.
4 children and all are uninterested in helping this mom….dictate YES (“go to an assisted living” building we don’t have time to take care of you and our adult children”……..

Dear Feisty 76, I applaud what you are doing. What do you do with all the family photos, especially from the late 1800s and early 1900? I know who the people are, the photos are labeled, but no one younger seems interested in these photos of ancestors. I am the only daughter of a daughter in a large family. My mother moved to the home farm to take care of her mother (my Grandmother), and I, growing up there, have become the repository for all the family history. Maybe check with my daughter's cousins??? All live on the E coast and I'm on the W. Packages can be mailed. I'll need to do some inventory and take photos of them to see who wants what. And I haven't done my taxes! You have given me a lot of ideas. Thank you!

I am trying to downsize-in-place!

I want to lighten the efforts of maintaining this museum/archive of my life, which has grown every year, and continues to grow.

I want to have as much of my energies as possible available for the work of my current life! And I want the space in our home to be filled with today's life, active and creative.

Books are o.k., if I can keep them within the available 50 feet of bookshelves. That requires annual weeding and consolidating.

Musical instruments...oh my...I cannot play all of them at once, and some I have not played in 30 years as I've moved on to other eras of music history. I'll never live to play all the music I want to play...but what will I continue to play? I'd like the instruments I've loved but no longer play to give their music to people who will also love them.

I think it's important to think forward, not backward. I have never missed the beloved mementoes I've sent to new homes. It's the memories that are precious, not the objects, and I still have the memories.

May I ask how old you both are?
My husband is 71 and I am 75. We finally decided that we would sell and move to a 55+ community here in NC. We are relieved to be here although between the research, pros and cons and executing the plan we are are utterly exhausted