7 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY DOWNSIZING!

Most people realize that at some point they'll have to downsize and simplify their living. It's one of life's major transitions that received a negative connotation somewhere along the way.

Maybe it's because of the work involved. Maybe it's the assumption the project will come with too much stress and anxiety. But ask yourself this: When have you ever been afraid of a little work in life? Here are some great tips for making “rightsizing” easier.

We know what you're thinking: why “Rightsizing?” Truth is—downsizing is not a blanket process. It's going to be unique for everyone. It needs to be right for that individual or that couple. Rightsizing is the first step in moving to a smaller space. It means establishing a living space that meets today’s needs, which include comfort, safety and personality. It doesn’t have to be overwhelming or daunting. Just ask our residents…

“We are very comfortable and happy after downsizing,” said Susan Fischer, a resident of Lima Estates in Media, Pennsylvania. She and her husband sold their large five-bedroom home in New Jersey. “You know the saying ‘less is more’ and it really is true. You think you need everything and above, but you really don’t because there’s so much to do here.”

“Moving into a smaller place, you experience the most freeing feeling. We spent most of our lives collecting things to fill up rooms in bigger homes,” said Shirley White, a resident who moved into Matthews Glen in Matthews, North Carolina last December. “You don’t really need all that stuff because once you get rid of it, you will realize that’s all it was—stuff.”

Think of all the excitement (and liberation) that can come with this transition. It's an adventure to embark on such a project, and adventures always come with a little adrenaline rush. Remember those butterflies you felt before moving into your college dorm, your first apartment or your first home? It's a good bet that you'll get those same butterflies moving into an amenitiesfilled retirement community with countless activities! Here are seven tips for organizing and/or downsizing your life to make your cozier space work wonderfully for you.

1. Make sure what you keep is really something you can't live without. Is everything you own worthy of a space in your home? Look at each item and categorize it: practical and useful, beautiful and inspiring, or one of a selected number of things you keep because of the memories associated. Surround yourself with things that make your heart sing or make your life easier. Just OK is not OK—don't keep stuff that takes up valuable space!

2. Regarding the sentimental stuff: Sometimes it’s helpful to take a picture of an item and let the original go. Keeping antique furniture that does not fit your decor, style or taste for sentimental value will always stick out like a sore thumb. If no other family member is interested, keep the picture of it and donate it to a good cause.

3. Make use of all the space you have. Sometimes that means adding a shelf to a cabinet, so the space can be used better. Sometimes that means putting artwork on the inside of cabinet doors and/or adding hooks and jewelry hangers to walls. Find special sized wire wall storage or shelf baskets to organize or hang the most used items.

4. Make sure all furniture serves a multi-function. You may only have room for one table, which may have to double as a coffee table, task table, office workspace and meals table. Find a desk that can be closed at night to disguise work if it is out in the middle of your living space. Find a hall organizer to put at the front door with specific bins to collect keys, bags, coats and shoes. Sofas and chairs can also be converted to sleeper beds if you no longer have a guest room. Wicker baskets are attractive storage containers that can be slipped under things and stacked on shelves. Cubes can double as storage or extra seating.

5. Bathrooms should have only what you use each day.

In any bathroom, you should have one wicker basket to pull out for all your makeup, another one for all hair appliances and a drawer for brushes, combs and other essentials. Pull them out when using them and then store in cabinet or drawers the rest of the time. You know what you use regularly and like, so only buy what you need and discard the rest, and resist taking samples from hotels.

6. Limit the amount of space you're willing to give to any type of item: Keep only the books that fit on the bookshelf; keep only the greeting cards that fit in the appropriately sized box or what you designate to keep for that kind of memorabilia. Get serious about your closet. Statistics show that we wear only 20 percent of the clothing in our closet 80 percent of the time.

7. Limit your collections. You may love crystal and previously had room to display all of these wonderful gems, but it may clutter a smaller place. Box them up and tuck them safely under the bed where you could get to them easily. You can display a handful and rotate them out every few weeks. You can still enjoy them, but this way you really see them because the display always looks fresh and interesting.

Also remember the advantage of living at a retirement community where all the many amenities, gathering spaces, sports and fitness areas, and restaurants are an extension of your apartment. Consider limiting kitchen items, serving trays and platters because you’ll be cooking far less.

“We were used to entertaining at a large scale, often 30–40 people at a time. We had a lot of trays, bowls, four or five sets of dishes,” said Mary Alice Trotter, a resident of Park Pointe Village in Rock Hill, South Carolina, “We still love to entertain and enjoy people in our home, we just do it a little differently, hosting two to four people at a time.” Residents can also entertain large parties in their community’s upscale private dining areas which can be reserved for special occasions and celebrations.

“Living simply and minimalistic is trendy right now. It’s never too early to start downsizing,” said Susan Mooney, Vice President of Client Experience at Wayforth. Susan has been part of the senior move management industry helping clients maximize their living space for more than 15 years. “Does it bring you joy? Hold onto your favorites and let the rest of it go.”