Rightsizing your home may be the obvious thing to look forward to, someday, but many people hesitate. This may put you in the position of encouraging someone you love to get the job done.
Helping someone else simplify their living situation goes beyond physical labor. Downsizing or rightsizing carries a significant mental and emotional toll as well. Preparing for a new life adventure involves emotional support and careful planning to preserve cherished memories while leaving the physical evidence behind. Is someone you know ready to rightsize? This article includes tips for providing encouragement, decluttering possessions and navigating a move.
Helping Loved Ones Rightsize Their Home
A journey begins with a single step. And rightsizing is no exception. Broach the topic with loved ones before a move is imminent–a year or two ahead of time isn’t too early if you anticipate objections. Keep the conversations casual. Ask pointed questions like, “If you could take home maintenance tasks off your plate, how would you feel?” or “Would you move to a downstairs bedroom if you had one?” Help them to imagine what life could be like living a low-maintenance lifestyle in Winfrey Estates.
However, objections to moving could be heart-based. Leaving a familiar environment, and the memories made there can frighten some people. They don’t want to leave their friends and neighbors behind. Or, they may worry about the moving logistics. That’s when you can introduce them to close, connected communities close to you or their current neighborhood.
If you feel ill-equipped to handle the emotional appeals of your loved ones, phone a friend. Professional advice from a moving specialist could help you navigate this time. If you have the time, take it. Be gentle. Rushing the process only makes it harder for everyone involved.
Helping Loved Ones Declutter
If your loved ones have lived in their home for decades, things may have accumulated. The idea of sifting through possessions could create a mental roadblock, preventing them from imagining a new chapter in a new home. If you’ve never been in the trenches decluttering for a move before, here are some tips to make the job go smoothly and create a stress-free experience.
Start small. Begin the decluttering process with one closet or drawer. Then move up to larger spaces, one room at a time. When the job takes you to more complicated spaces like the basement or attic, tackle it in short increments.
- For reluctant loved ones, begin with something simple like paper documents. Few people attach emotions to old tax records, bank statements or magazine clippings. Grab a shredder and spend an afternoon transforming old documents into confetti.
- Ensure all important papers–powers of attorney, advanced directives, wills, etc.–are stored together in one location and key family members know where they are.
Assign every item to one of the following four categories: Keep, give, sell or trash.
- Recruit someone to receive sell items and post them for sale. Have a procedure in place for how this process will work before you begin the process.
- Label "keep" items that aren’t used regularly and store them.
- At the end of a session, move items for giving to the trunk of your car and remove trash from the house. Out of sight, out of mind.
To prevent burnout or becoming overwhelmed, never work for more than two hours. End each session with a drink or a treat. Give yourself a deadline to keep up the momentum, and a reward for each milestone. Say to your loved one, “When we get this room done, I’m going to take you out to dinner.” Or choose some other reward for a job well done.
Helping Loved Ones Move
Once the decluttering process is complete, some people see opportunities through a new set of eyes. All those objections to moving melt away, and they’re open to new ideas. When that happens, show them a list of low-maintenance communities, single-level living options or places where they can live a lock-and-leave lifestyle.
Once they choose a new home and community, set a moving date. Then, follow these tips to make the transition effortless.
- Hire a move manager or relocation specialist to help with the logistics.
- Start a notebook to capture all the little details of the move. Everything about the move goes into this book–a calendar with due dates, floor plans, measurements, paperwork, questions, everything.
- Take care of transferring utility deposits, forwarding mail and other change of address needs.
- Choose a reputable moving company to do the heavy lifting.
- Make a floor plan of the new home to help plan where large pieces of furniture will fit.
- Have a pet plan in place for moving day.
Winfrey Estates
Winfrey Estates & Epcon Communities collaborated on thoughtfully designed luxury single-level homes ideally suited for helping your loved ones start a new chapter in their lives. With floor plans ranging from 1,519 to 2,826 square feet and two to four bedrooms, our boutique community offers the perfect rightsize solution for active adults in this chapter of their lives.
If someone you know is ready to rightsize, take a trip with them to Winfrey Estates, community that combines amenities with low-maintenance living, giving the people who matter most to you more freedom to enjoy life on their terms.
Ready to help your loved ones embrace a new chapter? Contact Jalycia Golden at 346.762.1864 today to learn how we can help someone important to you start fresh in a new home near you. Click here to learn more: