I’m in that stage of life where I am keenly aware that my life could have a sudden change in the unforeseeable future. My hair is getting greyer, my steps are becoming slower and the body tells me those things that were pleasurable in the past are not now.
Definite downsizing is on the horizon, and all the so-called treasures of the past have to find new homes, mainly in garage sales and recycling places.
From my first starter home of 700 square feet to a new expanding farm home to my present condo, there were many must-haves which entered my life, not for the fact that they were needed, but the fact that they were wanted. Now these are taking up precious space because the place has to get smaller.
For basic living, only the essentials are needed, but when attempting to glamourize the home, extras enter, such as fancier dishes, nicer linens, up-scale furniture, and so on.
Do I really need all the things that surround me? It means more things to clean and more things to get rid of.
One of my downfalls is that I get tired of things in my surroundings, so a change from time to time introduces new energy. Sometimes I just change the little items, but sometimes, it is a major overhaul.
Recently, I heard of a professional couple with three small girls downsizing their living space to a ready-made tiny house of 700 square feet. Instead of two incomes coming into the home, the mother is going to stay home, as she felt her life revolved around having materialistic things rather than her family. Now she wants to spend time with her girls, whereas having a big home and her profession took time away from what the couple really wanted.
Maybe they will have regrets with their new experience, but they are culling their possessions to fit their new surroundings. They felt that bigger was not necessary better, and less was more. Time will tell if they are right.
