By: Mike Longsdon

When it comes to your golden years, where you spend them is an important decision. Many seniors find they no longer need or want the space of their large home and the expenses associated with it. Making the move to a new home that better suits your needs is a smart move for a better quality of life.

It Requires Saying Goodbye to Clutter

A move to a new home forces you to take a serious inventory of your personal belongings. Saying goodbye to clutter reduces stress and anxiety as you feel less overwhelmed by stuff. Once you make the decision to begin the sorting process, you will feel energized and confident in your ability to make decisions about what stays and what goes. To get started, gather three boxes and mark each with:

●     Keep

●     Donate

●     Toss

Making decisions about items to which you have an emotional attachment is hard. Experts suggest leaving family heirlooms for last and to not feel guilty if you decide to let the items go. If the items are no longer bringing you joy, then ask other family members if they want them, sell them, or donate them to a local charity.

Consider utilizing baskets for better storage in your new home. Creating order among your personal items is surprisingly liberating and leads to a calmer, more tranquil living space. Better organization also makes it easier to find the items you need.

It Can Trim Your Expenses

Downsizing to a smaller home can save you money when it comes to monthly and yearly expenses. Utility bills, personal property taxes, and lawn maintenance costs are often greatly reduced, depending upon the size and location of your new home.

Senior living options include condominiums, retirement communities, and assisted living facilities. Many of these options include attractive amenities, and they take care of maintenance issues so you don’t have to.

“Having fewer financial and maintenance-related responsibilities will allow you to focus more on your happiness and less on your home,” HomeAdvisor explains. When searching for your new home, take special note of the amenities for seniors, either onsite or nearby. Special features like entertainment, walking trails, and group activities can get you engaged with others, resulting in new friendships.

Home Sweet Home

Transitioning to your new home goes smoother when you’ve done your homework. Deciding where you will live is the biggest decision, followed by the decluttering process. Both decisions can lift a weight off your shoulders and ease your anxiety.

Preparation and planning is essential for moving at any age. Waiting until the last minute only increases your anxiety and results in hasty decisions you may later regret. Start decluttering the moment you decide to make a move, even if you are still hunting for your new home. Simply getting started may be all the motivation you need.

While the moving process is often stressful, the end result can benefit your overall health. With less clutter and costs, your new home opens the door to opportunities that reduce isolation and enrich your life.

Trust Your Instincts

No one knows you better than you. If your instincts start telling you that your current home is just too much of everything — space, expenses, and responsibility — trust your gut and start searching for a new home.

A smaller home offers peace of mind so you can focus on other activities. There’s no more worrying about maintenance issues or who is going to mow the yard. So, celebrate your golden years by taking on more fun and less responsibility. Consider downsizing for better health, less stuff, and a more enjoyable life.

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