The golden years are supposed to be a time of relaxation, enjoyment, and newfound freedom. Yet, for many seniors, the mere thought of downsizing or moving from their long-time home casts a dark cloud of stress and can be overwhelming. It’s a daunting prospect, filled with emotional attachments, countless decisions, and the sheer physical effort of sorting through a lifetime of memories.

In fact, this “downsizing dread” is a major reason why so many older adults choose to stay in homes that may no longer suit their needs, even when retirement living, independent living, or other senior living options could offer a more comfortable and fulfilling lifestyle.

Downsizing doesn’t have to be an impossible task.

Downsizing Tips from a Professional

Lynn Colett, founder of An Organized Move in Venice, Florida has been helping Venice and Sarasota seniors downsize and enjoy retirement living since 2009. Based on her years of experience working with seniors, including residents of Village On The Isle, Lynn has a few best practices for seniors looking to downsize.

“First and foremost, we want to downsize with thought,” says Lynn. “We want to know where you are going, how much space you will have and how long it will take. Creating stress and chaos in your house will do numbers on you emotionally – so it’s important to approach this process intentionally.”

To that end, Lynn offers the following tips to Venice and Sarasota seniors looking to downsize.  

1. Create a realistic timeline. If you have a move scheduled, whether that be into retirement living or a condo or townhome, mark the date on your calendar and move backwards from there. If your move is in 90 days, divide the house into 90 sections and tackle one section each day. Then focus on what support you will need to meet this timeline.
2. Understand your new floorplan. To determine how much stuff you can bring, you must first know the space you will be moving into and how that space will function. Lynn recommends breaking this out into linear feet. For instance, a kitchen may have 37 linear feet of cabinets. To visualize what this looks like, tape out 37 linear feet on folding tables. Then place the items you intend to keep on the table.
3. Empty drawers and cabinets. To get the full picture of what you have, Lynn recommends emptying drawers and cabinets completely. From there, you can return only the items you intend to keep. When people shuffle through a drawer, they are less likely to get rid of things. Removing items entirely will allow you to better visualize what you have, remove any duplicates and determine what you need.
4. Use what you have and repurpose items. Lynn shares that people often live best with what they have. When moving to a smaller space, there are many ways to repurpose items. For instance, you can remove the top of a dining hutch and use it as a TV stand. It will pair with the dining room table and offer additional storage.
5. Tag items to keep, donate and sell. When going through your belongings, mark items you want to keep, donate and sell. These can be marked using different color tapes, or by creating piles on tables. However, do not leave piles of things on the floor as they can become a fall hazard.
6. Prioritize the items you want to keep. Lynn shares that some seniors may feel guilt about getting rid of things – particularly gifts or items their children made. However, downsizing is about keeping what you want. Not the things you feel you must keep as a treasure for someone else.
7. Give items to family members or loved ones. If there are items you love that don’t fit in your new space, find a loving home for them with a family member or friend who will cherish them. For everyday items you no longer need, you can also look to neighbors or grandchildren who may want them. You’d be surprised by the joy someone gets from receiving something as simple as a shovel.
8. Use moving boxes. When it comes time to pack up your belongings, use designated moving boxes. While you may think that using boxes you already have will be cheaper and easier, it is quite the opposite. Lynn shares that moving boxes are stronger and can more easily fit in the moving truck and elevator. This results in a more cost-effective and streamlined moving process.

Retirement Living: Creating Space for a Full Life

Whether you have already put down a deposit on a new independent living or senior living apartment or are still considering a move – downsizing is a necessary step. While change can be overwhelming, downsizing can create space for freedom and possibility.

Retirement living at Village On The Isle offers a unique lifestyle where you can enjoy the beauty of the Florida Gulf Coast without the hassle of home maintenance. Our residents have rich social lives and participate in a full calendar of events that include a mix of social, cultural, spiritual, educational, and service-oriented recreation. If you’re a senior looking to downsize and enjoy retirement living, we invite you to explore the exceptional lifestyle offered at Village On The Isle in Venice, Florida. For more information about our amenity-rich community, schedule a visit by calling (941) 202-4451