Embracing Simplicity: A Guide to Downsizing Your Lifestyle
Have you ever thought about downsizing? Is it something you have considered but haven't fully explored? Downsizing should be a process, not an event, so it's best to start early. Moving is stressful enough, but when your move involves major downsizing, it can feel overwhelming. Whether you're buying a smaller home or having one built, this guide will walk you through the key steps to simplify your lifestyle and embrace the joys of minimalist living.
Creating A More Simplified Lifestyle
Have you ever thought about downsizing? Is it something you have considered, but really haven’t wrapped your head around what that may look like? Downsizing should be a process—not an event—so it’s best to start early. Moving is stressful enough, but when your move involves major downsizing, it can feel overwhelming and that is why you need a plan. Don’t worry, we’ve got some ideas for you! Whether you’re buying a smaller home or having one built, you’ll be ready to live out your tiny home dream.
What’s You’re Downsizing “Why”?
Ask yourself first, is this something I really want to do? If the answer is yes, what does minimalist living look like to me and how small do I want to go? Can I save money by downsizing? Are there hidden costs to downsizing my home? Will I still have the space I need? What type of lifestyle am I most interested in? Do I need to sell my current home? Is it financially feasible? No matter what your reasons for wanting to downsize, if after answering all these questions, you still want to pursue your dream of small home living, then we have some pointers for you.
The Art of Letting Go
Approach your home downsizing and decluttering efforts in steps and phases, either by category or by room. When looking to get rid of “stuff”, ask yourself, does it spark joy? While the question is a thought-provoking challenge, you may need a few more questions to really hone-in on your belongings’ value. It can be hard to let go of “stuff”—especially when you’ve been carrying it around for what feels like a lifetime. But your future self will thank you when you’re enjoying life in your smaller, uncluttered, junk-free new space. Take inventory of what you have. Sort, sell & donate what you can’t sell, and keep what you need, not necessarily what you want. If you can’t bear to live without it, keep it without guilt.
Imagine A Minimalist Lifestyle
You have now finished organizing and decluttering everything you possibly could. Now for the fun part. Get out there and find your new home. Take your time. What area and style of home appeals to you? Once you have your “a-ha moment”, and discover your small haven, before committing, measure the new space and scope out opportunities to increase storage so you know exactly how much space you’ll have for your belongings. The number one trick for adding storage is to take advantage of vertical space. Get creative with floor-to ceiling shelving units, add hanging pot racks, door organizers & furniture with hidden storage. Get creative! Have fun with color palettes and envision it being your space.
Enjoy the Process
Once the decision is made, and you’ve committed to taking that next step, remember to breathe. Change can invoke many new feelings and emotions. Enjoy the process. As you settle into your new place, find ways to make it yours. One of the benefits of downsizing and rearranging your space – you have more room for what is new for you! This can be people, a project, a hobby, grandchildren, anything. If you create space, you allow room for the creation of something new. It is worth the effort.
As you embark on your downsizing journey, remember that the process is just as important as the destination. Enjoy the transformation as you create a more simplified and fulfilling lifestyle. Downsizing opens up new opportunities for living more intentionally and making room for what truly matters. Whether it’s spending more time with loved ones, pursuing new hobbies, or simply enjoying a clutter-free environment, the benefits of downsizing are well worth the effort. Embrace the change, savor the process, and look forward to the fresh possibilities that await in your new, streamlined life. If you need help in your downsizing journey the team at Sterling Homes is here to help! Reach out to our sales team today to get started.
Author: Luiza Paul