THE HUB Magazine - September 2022

DOWNSIZING

By CHARLIE UPSHALL

“Real happiness requires less than you think.” ~ Unknown

“Don’t let the past remind us of what we are not now.” ~ Crosby, Stills and Nash, “Judy Blue Eyes”

Does downsizing have to be viewed as part of life’s eventual downward trajectory, the slowingdown procession toward the eventual finality of it all, or can it be part of wise planning for a still vigorous future?

It seems like the time. So I have bought a smaller house on a smaller lot, one just over half as big, with only a quarter of an acre rather than an acre and a quarter. I didn’t want to leave the decision to downsize too long, past the point where I could handle the process and find it enjoyable. I did not want to be overwhelmed, and I wanted to have control. Presently, I am not forced to downsize and I am still capable of doing so (admittedly, not without amazing assistance and guidance).

I have been in my present home in Port Dover for 16 years. I was very excited when I bought it and it has been a wonderful place to live. However, my circumstances have changed, as a result of Juta’s death and then my knee replacements. My property is not being maintained well enough anymore, with gardens I don’t understand and steps to a lower level that I have great difficulty negotiating. Simply put, maintenance is more challenging and time-consuming than it once was.

I am somewhat comfortable accepting that I can’t do everything I used to be able to do. Now I am pleased to have chosen a property that I believe can be better suited to my needs, interests and capabilities. I wanted to stay in Port Dover; it is my home now. I wanted flat land, but I still wanted enough property that I have work. I’ll learn what I

need to about the many perennial gardens and I will enjoy keeping them in good order. I am still adamant about wanting to cut my own lawn and shovel my own snow (now to include a section of county sidewalk). I believe in the benefits of exercise and of being outdoors. I find lawn-cutting and snow shovelling to be relaxing, peaceful activities for me.

I am getting monumental help with interior demolition and renovation through the efforts of a friend and her connections. The goal is to have a place I can stay in happily for many years if I’m fortunate. I am trying to ensure that everything is done in a way that will avoid the need to make any further adjustments in the future. All the main floor area changes will be completed before I move in.

The plan is to design a new kitchen and eating space, redo the bathroom, add a laundry and eliminate one bedroom area. Another small bedroom will become an office/library. The living room will be opened up and built-in shelving added. The landing area at the side door will be enlarged with stairs to the basement moved and re-designed to better accommodate my balky knees. A bathroom will be added in the basement. It’s all very interesting and the entire undertaking will need significant time. I am able to give myself the luxury of not having to rush through the renovations, so it will happen at its own pace. Besides that work, there is much to be done with regard to selecting and purchasing windows, flooring, cabinets, appliances, etc. I am able to proceed at my comfort level. I am determined that it will all be an adventure, not a stressinducing nightmare.

After I move in, there will be a Phase 2. It will include some modest finishing of the basement, the addition of a garage and a deck rebuild.

While all of Phase 1 is taking place, my present home has to be prepared for sale and I have to get ready to move. The house is in good shape and likely no repairs need to be undertaken. My first step here is de-cluttering. Both Juta and I were collectors and accumulators, a lifetime of things, stored upstairs and down. Although the task of finding new owners for her personal belongings, some of the vast book collection, quantities of clothing and shoes, duplicate items of all kinds and never used purchases and gifts has been ongoing for years, sometimes it feels like it has barely started. Being honest with myself, there is still much that would be better used and appreciated by others and much for

which there is no need or suitable room in my next house.

I don’t have to completely de-clutter. I am choosing to seriously de-clutter (with some encouragement) as I shift my thinking and my habits. Einstein said, “Out of clutter, find simplicity.” The main point for me is that I am now accepting that I don’t want to keep everything from the past. I am learning that some of my possessions would benefit others more than me. If something doesn’t enrich my life now, it can be sent elsewhere. Now, with the upcoming move, is an appropriate time to do it. It will give me peace, getting me past thinking I’ll do that someday in the future. Just because something belongs to me, it doesn’t mean I have to keep it for the rest of my life. All that being said, neither does it mean that I won’t keep some stuff that I don’t need in a practical sense. Some items and written material trigger memories that I want to trigger from time to time. They serve a valuable, emotional purpose. Also, certain items that I put away are being rediscovered and their significance learned. Some will be put into places of prominence with this next step.

I view the entire experience as part of my upward trajectory, part of what is best to do at this time. I am not downsizing, but rather right-sizing.