It’s natural to derive comfort from your belongings. Material items often represent memories, experiences, and people that you don’t want to forget. This is especially true for seniors who have often collected a lifetime of things that hold special value. Sometimes, though, these belongings become more stressful than sentimental. If you find that you are swimming in stuff, it might be time to start downsizing. OurSenior.net shares the following six reasons why seniors may need to develop a downsizing strategy.
1. You Want to Adopt a Minimalist Aesthetic
Throughout the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, a maximalist aesthetic was all the rage for home décor. Tides have shifted, though, and minimalism is trendier than ever. If you want to adopt a simpler look for your home, downsizing is the best way to do so. You can start by identifying items that you no longer need or use.
2. You’re Considering Selling Your Home
Perhaps you’re thinking about selling your home. If so, downsizing may make it easier to attract buyers and market the property. It’s difficult to stage a home effectively when it’s filled with tchotchkes and clutter that obscure the appeal of its interior. Selling your home is also a wise move if you’re interested in moving to a house that’s more senior-friendly. Swapping out stairs for a single story, for example, can reduce the need for exertion and minimize the chance of falls.
3. You Want to Buy a Newer, Smaller Home
Once you’ve decided to sell your home, you’ll need to research home prices online. Be sure to look for properties that are the ideal location and size. You should assess how affordable the area is by looking at average home prices. Consider whether you can find a home in your price range that will allow you to downsize comfortably.
Once you’ve settled into your new place, reduce the stress involved with general maintenance by using the Frontdoor app. It can remind you when routine maintenance is due and connect you directly with local contractors who can get the job done. You may also contact Realtor Dulce Monahan at 386-200-9114.
4. You’re Planning for an Easy Move
Moving is inevitably a stressful event, but downsizing can massively reduce the stress that it entails. The less stuff you have to move, the faster and easier your move will be. As you look through your possessions, take a critical look at any paperwork you’ve been holding onto.
Now is a great time to digitize what you need to keep and shred the rest. Once the important items have been scanned, you can use free PDF tools to edit, split, and merge them to create a digital filing system. Click here for more info about these tools and how to get started merging related documents.
5. You Need to Sell Your Old Business
Your move might also necessitate the offloading of business assets. If you’re relocating far away from your business or you’re planning on retiring, it’s the perfect time to sell your business and reap the rewards of your hard work. You should always obtain an objective estimation of a business’s value by consulting a professional business valuation provider. A business valuation expert will account for inventory and real estate when calculating the worth of your company.
6. You Don’t Want Loved Ones to Inherit Clutter
The concept of Swedish death cleaning might sound morbid, but it’s an incredibly effective strategy for downsizing belongings. The goal of this approach is simple — eliminate the burden of clutter that will be left behind for your loved ones. Indeed, many families are faced with years’ worth of belongings to sort through, which can cause stress. Seniors can eliminate this prospect by downsizing mindfully.
Discover the Joys of Clutter-Free Living
Clutter is often treated as an inevitability, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, you can break free from the hold that belongings have and discover the joy of downsizing. Seniors who are moving, selling their business, or retiring should develop a strategy for reducing their stuff.
Save money on the things you need so you can use your savings on the things you want! Check out Our Senior Discounts to start saving today!
