SMART PLANNING
Downsize Your Space, Maximize Your Life By Emma Castleberry for Aging at Altitude
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s we get older, we often find ourselves needing to simplify. We want a smaller space, less maintenance hassle, and less stuff to worry about. Sometimes, this prospect can seem daunting or even negative, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, taking a more minimalist approach will likely leave you happier and more fulfilled because you have more time for the things that matter. Here are some tips for preparing for this new phase of life and enjoying it.
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RIGHT-SIZING: REDEFINING THIS NEW CHAPTER “Downsizing is such an impersonal term,” says Jessica Champlin, chief revenue officer at Boulder Creek Neighborhoods. “It kind of assumes that anyone seeking a new way of living just needs to have less space.” At Boulder Creek Neighborhoods, they prefer the term “right-sizing” instead. “Right-sizing into a home that meets your needs for now and into the future means that your home is a way to support your lifestyle dreams instead of being
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a burden to them,” says Champlin. As people enter different phases of life, including seniority, they need a home that supports their different needs. “That may mean less square footage,” she says, “but it often means so much more: folks seeking main floor living, wanting space for hobbies instead of space for small children, needing floor plans that work with their way of living, regardless of size. It’s really not about having less square feet, it’s about having the right spaces that work for them.”
LET GO OF THE STUFF “Having too much external clutter will only create more internal clutter in our lives,” says Beth Blacker, chief of Chaos to Calm at It’s Just Stuff. Decluttering and getting organized is a crucial part of senior years, but it isn’t always an easy one. The process of sorting through a lifetime of accumulated goods will likely be an overwhelming one, so don’t try to do it in a rush. “Give yourself time,” says Blacker. Also, take a relaxed approach when sorting through your belongings. Often, while decluttering, we will come across sentimental
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