- I want to move, but when I think about sorting through all of my things and making hundreds of decisions about the fate of my belongings . . . I'd rather have a root canal!
- I believe that planning for a future move is an excellent idea. Where in the world would I start?
- Even though I swore I'd never leave this place, I can't stop thinking about Dorothy's condo - so secure, a new kitchen, gorgeous landscaping, and no more yard work! Hmmm . . .
- I plan on helping my parents move, but my mom has saved all her magazines since 1942 and my dad owns every tool known to man. Help!
- I'm lonely, but a retirement home with a bunch of strangers is not for me. With my luck, I'd end up next door to Attila the Hun.
- My son gets visibly upset every time I bring up moving and preparing the home for sale. I can't understand it since he hasn't lived here for years.
If you can relate to any of the above, you're not alone. Downsizing and moving can be overwhelming, yet it is often the road to a better, easier life. Imagine living in a condominium - no more backbreaking yard work, expensive house repairs, or frantic calls to the plumber because your hot water heater broke at midnight. Imagine living in a retirement home - finding companionship whenever you want it and feeling at ease because support and help is nearby. Yes, entering a community can be uncomfortable. Your new neighbor could be Attila the Hun. He or she could also be a retired movie star, a wonderful companion or the most fascinating person you've ever known!
Because moving is a major life transition, feelings and questions are sure to appear. For example, should I move now or later? And if I decide to move, how will all of my beautiful things fit into a two-bedroom unit or a one story home? Unfortunately, you may not be able to take everything with you. That means not only are you leaving the home you've lived in for decades; you're also faced with making hundreds of decisions about the fate of your belongings. It's enough to give the strongest person second thoughts!
This book is for you and anyone who has ever said, "Help!" when leaving a lifelong home. Although we have included information to help you decide if, where, and when to move, our main focus is helping you get through the myriad of details involved in downsizing and moving.
On these pages, you will find a comprehensive guide to sorting, dispersing, packing and moving your belongings. You will also find ideas about how to deal with moments when you become discouraged, sad or frazzled during the downsizing process. These issues are included, because we believe your emotional well-being or your "inner house" deserves as much careful attention as the contents of your home. As our title implies, those cherished belongings you are sorting through are more than just stuff. Each one evokes a memory and is part of the history of your life.
One of our clients summed it up perfectly when he said,
"It's more than just a hammer.
Every time I look at it, I see the
tree house I built with my son."
Whether your move is imminent or a possibility for the future, our goal is to ease your way. We hope the information, resources and encouragement on these pages will assist you in making decisions about your move and help you persist and prevail in your downsizing process. We also hope that, in the end, your most pressing question will be, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"
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