Downsizing Can Be Challenging

Let It Go

My husband and I just downsized our house. Turns out downsizing is a challenging proposition. It seemed like a good idea at the time. But it turns out moving to a house half the size of your previous one is very stressful. I have had to learn how to let go of “things” and possessions and most of all perfection.

The reason downsizing can be challenging is it’s complicated. It’s not just about the stuff you surround yourself with. It’s about letting go of your expectations for your life. It’s about letting go of what you thought was the perfect forever picture of your life. And when it all becomes overwhelming, it’s about just passing things on to others instead of trying to hang on to them.

Stress

The stress that comes with downsizing can be overwhelming. My son reminded me I had to just focus on the next step until it was completed. Then I could move on to the next. I was trying to eat that elephant all at once, and I had to remind myself to eat it a bite at a time. Our process was to find a new house first, sell our current house, get rid of as much of the extra stuff as possible, move, and settle into the new place. We are finally on that last step.

Illness

Unfortunately for us, this process came with one more complication. My husband came down with COVID and then gave it to me. So, our downsizing became very challenging. But that’s how life is. It’s always throwing you a curveball. The trick is to get really good at pivoting and moving forward, no matter what.

Take Care

So don’t forget to be good to yourself, no matter what life throws at you. Take time to rest, eat well, and pamper yourself when you can. Here is a free self-care workbook you can use to incorporate this into your life. You might also enjoy this blog post about pampering yourself.