While a recent Washington Post article is hugely informative, citing statistics and lots of observations of people involved in the downsizing-advice business, the illustration that accompanies the article was disheartening. It shows an "older" man, shoulders hunched in resignation, leaving his home with a suitcase, being shown the way by a white-haired woman (maybe his wife?). The illustration also included his dog (only the top of the dog's head appears in the lower left corner of the photo).
DownsizeToday.com is about presenting stories of many happy, relieved-as-hell downsizers. It's about putting a different face to the downsizing trend.
Sure, we all know it's sad to accept the fact that we're not able to carry on in our large homes (in which many have raised their families and host them twice annually for holiday celebrations). It's overwhelming to get rid of life's accumulated treasures. In many situations where downsizing needs to occur, people are moved not to a fun new lifestyle, but into assisted living.
What we want to do is put a different face on downsizing. We want to inspire you to do it sooner rather than later, so that you still have enough energy to do it and enough energy left over to enjoy the heck out of reinvention.
It's about getting out from under the chores and expense of maintaining a large (and often deteriorating) older home and moving to a smaller, simpler home where you have the freedom to explore new friendships, new neighborhoods, new places to vacation.
Potomac Concierge and many of the other resources quoted in the article are all well and good advisers, and they provide a world of good to the people who need their services.
I'm all for getting help during the process. And I'm all about helping people see the light and start the process before growing older and crankier and less able to start the process and reap the benefits of changing the dynamics of your life. Yes, it's overwhelming to downsize. You can fall into "analysis paralysis" -- but do not despair. Take baby steps. The first step is the hardest. The first step is deciding that you want a refreshing change, a renewed sense of self. The second step is acknowledging that the housing market WILL shift and you will no longer be able to sell your house at top dollar.
But THAT, dear reader, is yet another story. To be continued . . .
In the meantime, contact us for a free 30-minute consultation. we will listen, ask questions, provide a bit of advice and direct you to resources in your area who can help you along every step in the process.
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