The subject of downsizing is one I have been involved with over the years, certainly. My parents moved from a house to an apartment, from an apartment to a smaller one (my mother) and then to a nursing home. At each time, of course, there were decisions to be made. But the interesting thing is that as I contemplate retirement (I am hoping to retire next June at the end of the school year), I want to see what I am going to do next. And I am planning on beginning a business that helps people organize any aspect of their life (mostly places in their homes, I hope) and help people make decisions about downsizing – what will make you happy to have, and what will make you happy to NOT have.
People have always asked me if I would be willing to come to their homes and help them organize. My response has always been, yes, but I am not emotionally attached to anything in your home, so you might not be happy with my suggestions. In fact, some of my friends get nervous when I am around (my friend Bernie was waiting breathlessly for me to leave on my one and only trip to his home. We are still good friends, but he’s happy he doesn’t live nearby).I asked some friends on Facebook to come up with a catchy name for my new business. My favorite was “get this crap out of my house.” But I don’t think I will use it as the main name, maybe the subheading? I plan on starting my own blog in the near future, and I’ll post that when I do.
On the premise that I don’t want my kids to wade through endless amounts of STUFF if I get run over by a bus one day, I go through my house every week to find things I no longer need to have. It is a wonder I have not been audited by IRS, because the amount of stuff I donate to my favorite place in Rockville is enormous. I donate things there (clothes, books, household items. small furniture) pretty much once a month. Downsizing in all its aspects makes sense as we get older. We no longer see the need for THINGS. The people we love are so much more important. [Please leave a comment here.]
ElderChicks 
You have it right !!! PEOPLE are much, much more important than things.
I agree…we certainly don’t need all those THINGS and it is really very freeing to let go of the stuff you don’t use/need. That said I still have boxes, unopened in my garage since my last downsize move 3 years ago!
totally agree….love the idea of weekly disposal of…stuff…
As a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), I would add that organization and de-cluttering are essential to our safety, comfort and well-being as we age. Removing hazards and getting our lives in good order bring peace of mind to the entire family. Best of luck to you!
I’m hoping to figure out a way (weigh?) to equate stuff I get rid of with weight loss. Could the 4 large boxes of books I donated the library’s resale shop somehow give me “credit” for 15 pounds? Now that would be a profitable business if anyone could make that work.
Oh how right you are! How much would you charge for a “get this crap out of my house” trip to my Ann Arbor (once downsized) condo????? Good for you for getting started early!
I love getting rid of things. I’m having a baby and the most anxiety producing part for me is all the stuff. The packaging I throw away from a pack of receiving blankets. The thought of pounds of wet wipes that will take up space at a landfill. The piles of plastic, worthless toys. And just all the space. We all have more stuff than we need. I’ve lived in a room with just some clothes and a mattress. I was no less happy then than I am today with my houseful of wares. In fact, it uncomplicates your life and gives you more time to get out and explore. That’s my 2 cents.
Not ready to downsize yet but that’s no reason not to think about what we really need and what we don’t! We are definitely ‘hoarders’ and our loft is full of boxes the children have left behind or that we haven’t unpacked since moving here, to this large, rambling home over eight years ago.
You have inspired me to make a start so that when the day comes, if the day comes, that we have to say goodbye to the family home, we can do so without hiring a fleet of lorries to take stuff away.
At the moment, with five children – three sort of still living with us here and grandchildren on the way, I think we could do with the extra space a good clearout would provide!
Love this site 😉
It’s such a good idea to keep on top of all that stuff as you go along. And think of all the people that can use in NOW instread of when it is motheaten, yellowed with age, and so-o-o out of date.
Hey Marylen Oberman!! I know your “crap”. Can I have first dibs?
Hello
I read your article with interest. I too am a teacher most likely in my last year and will retire next June. I am not that comfortable with “retirement” and I hope to come up with a plan soon that will keep me involved with others . I also like to clean out my stuff. Unfortunately my husband does not. Being with others is so much more valuable to me and I strive to connect with friends and family but don’t think it’s very easy. Sounds like you live in MD? Would love to explore your topic further. Thanks for sharing.