Moving is stressful in any situation. Moving to a smaller space - downsizing - brings on a whole other set of emotions for most people. While many of us dream of what it might look like to simplify our lives when the kids are gone or perhaps moving to a retirement community for days filled with golf and gardening, often we are downsizing for reasons that are not so ideal.
Whatever your situation, facing your feelings is the best place to begin. It is absolutely appropriate to feel fear, sadness and even some forms of depression/exhaustion at the prospect of losing space.
We work our entire lives to provide all the home we can afford for our family. If the circumstances are such that you no longer can afford your existing home, try to refocus the move from a failure to an opportunity. This very well could be the opportunity to re-prioritize your life and fix your finances. If you need help with this concept, we highly recommend anything written by Dave Ramsey. He has a great way of putting finance in perspective.
Downsizing your space also means downsizing your stuff - furniture, linens, clothing, keepsakes - there are tough decisions to be made. Since you will need to clean and de-clutter your current home for sale, these two goals can work to your benefit. Take a look at our other article on preparing your home for sale (link here to other article on website). It is safe to say that this will be a difficult task for you, and we recommend that you start immediately. There is no time like the present.
Spend a few days walking through the rooms in your home and identifying which items can go and which ones youíll want to take with you. One easy way to do this is to use Post-It™ notes to mark which items you can part with, and which ones you can't (use two different colored notes to differentiate). Upon further reflection, you may realize that some of the possessions that you thought you couldn't live without are not so important after all.
Another important activity during this emotional de-clutter is to check your feelings for each item. Does the item make you smile or have you been keeping the item out of guilt or the idea that you 'might use it one day'. Check the emotional baggage associated with each item. Items that make you feel guilty should be the first to go. Try on the idea of moving to your 'fresh start' with no guilt, only freedom.
If there are some items that you just can't yet part with - Grandma's rocker for instance - storage for a while allows you to separate yourself from the object and move into your new space. If you still long for this item after a few weeks, you can find a space for it in your new home. Recognize that at some point you are going to have to deal with your stuff and make tough decisions. Check out our recommended link storage providers in the Oklahoma City and Edmond areas.
Another coping technique for these emotions is to work with your Realtor to determine some amenities that will make your smaller home seem like less of a ìtrade downî. For instance, finding a smaller home that has granite countertops or a luxurious spa tub can ease the transition. You will feel less like you are stepping down and more like you are trading out. The little things can make a difference and your experienced and knowledgeable Vis-Aí-Vis Realtor® will help you find these extras.
Most importantly, understand that a house in only a place to live. Separate your personality and your identity from your real estate by understanding that you can make a "home" in any environment and within any square footage.
The little things can make a difference and your experienced and knowledgeable Vis-Aí-Vis Realtor® will help you find these extras