The Benefits of Downsizing and How to Prepare
Monday, April 1st, 2019
Downsizing is the start to new beginnings. It’s turning the page and creating a new chapter of opportunities. It’s removing the excess and surrounding yourself with your most prized possessions. It’s filling your life with happiness, adding contentment in the everyday abundance of living with more. More time for the things that matter. More time to spend with the people you care for the most.
Downsizing also provides freedom. The freedom to decide when the excess is too much. The freedom to give in and say, “I choose to invest my time in activities that enhance who I am and maximize my time to do more of what I like.” Downsizing also allows us to be more globally conscious. By reducing unnecessary space, we lower our environmental impact. Instead of maintaining our capital investments at top market conditions we reduce our financial obligations. We fill our days taking the trips we dreamt about. We build new memories and, in the meantime, let our money work for us.
With the many benefits to downsizing, why does it appear to be one of the hardest hurdles to overcome? At the end of the day it’s about being ready to act on this new adventure. The question is, how do you know when you’re ready?
Getting your head wrapped around the idea of downsizing can be overwhelming. Yet, when we begin to weigh the benefits and simplicity that comes with the act of downsizing, we are only left with the potential to amplify the most out of our achievements and live life to the fullest.
Here at The Barrel Yards we’ve been fortunate to work with many residents on this journey. Prospects who have toured shared their stories, we are pleased to now call Residents. Below are a few tips we’ve learned along the way in preparing and getting ready for that next big leap!
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Consider your New Space
When preparing to downsize you must start with visualizing your new space. The easiest way to begin is to walk around your home now and go through your favourite rooms. What draws you to those rooms? Why are those rooms special to you? Is it the layout, the items in it or how you use the space? The very first step is knowing a relative idea of space size you want to move into. This will assist you with what you’re going to keep and what you wish to let go of.
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List Making
We all have a list in our head of items we own that we either love or don’t. Simply begin by sifting through your items and making a list of items you want to keep and items you want to giveaway. This will help create a more realistic vision of the space you will need as you downsize.
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Removing Excess
Let’s be honest everyone has items we’ve been waiting to let go of. Having the space to store them provides us more reason to never let go. This is your time! You can let go, remove, donate or trash anything because you’re on a mission to downsize. No guilt attached. Giving away to others allows you to have more!
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Ditch the Duplicates
This is an easy one. We’ve heard the stories of multiple wine openers and even dining room chairs & tables! Donate the multiples. Pass on to family or friends. Provide to someone in need. Go to a shelter they provide tax receipt for write offs.
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Enlist Help and Remember to Breath!
It’s not easy downsizing, as it takes time and effort to pack, donate, sell and giveaway. It can be a calmer experience when you enlist the support of family and friends. It can also be a fun journey to share with others. At the end of the day, take your time, follow the helpful steps above and remember to take a moment and breath. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
