7 Unexpected Benefits of Downsizing Your Home

We Americans tend to fall into the trap of thinking that bigger is always better. But the truth is that downsizing your home can offer a new — and unexpected — kind of freedom. 

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to determine if downsizing your home is right for you:

• Are there rooms I never use anymore that have become storage spaces?
• Are housekeeping and home maintenance tasks keeping me from activities I enjoy? 
• Would downsizing be a good financial move?
• Am I ready to part with some of my belongings?
• Am I reluctant to downsize because of a sentimental attachment to my home?
• What kind of lifestyle do I want to live?
• What kind of neighborhood do I want to live in?

Reflecting on these questions can give you a better sense of whether downsizing your home is the right choice for you. But, before leaping to any conclusions, keep reading to take a look at 6 unexpected benefits of senior downsizing. 

1. Less Clutter

If you’ve lived in a home long enough, it’s likely filled with things that need to be fixed, finished, or organized. It could be a closet that needs to be cleaned out, a door trim that needs to be painted, or a scrapbook that needs to be finished. Downsizing your home offers a chance to refocus and reset, without anything cluttering your space — or your mind. 

2. Less Stress

Because it happens so slowly over such a long period, you might not even be aware of how much extra space and extra stuff can weigh you down. Making a brand new start in a home that’s easier to maintain can significantly reduce stress levels, which is one of the biggest perks of senior downsizing. This is especially true if you’re moving to a Life Plan Community like Winchester Gardens. A shingle came off the roof during a storm? Not your problem. The dishwasher is broken? Let someone know, and it will be fixed as soon as possible.

3. A More Manageable Space

Multiple bathrooms were great when your children were young, but are you still using that space? Even if you’re not, chances are you’re still dusting and vacuuming it. And what about your yard? Do you still enjoy pulling weeds, putting down mulch, and cutting the grass? (Not to mention shoveling snow!) 

4. More Free Time

Less square footage to maintain and less yard to take care of means more free time. Your maintenance-free lifestyle after downsizing your home allows you to recapture some lost free time and spend it on the things you enjoy doing, whether that’s traveling, exercising, taking lifelong learning classes, or trying out a new hobby.

5. More Social Opportunities

More free time means more time to check out all the social activities offered in your community, so you can enjoy meeting new people and building lasting, meaningful relationships. Whether you’re moving to a senior living community or a smaller home in a development geared toward those over age 55, you’ll likely find yourself surrounded by people at the same life stage as you are. Just like you, many of them will be interested in engaging socially and meeting new people.

6. Less Resistance to Change

For many of us, leaving the place we call home is the hardest part about senior downsizing. Your mind tells you all the reasons why it will be OK, but your heart isn’t buying it. If that sounds familiar, consider this University of Chicago study, which addressed a reluctance to make major life decisions and found that “overwhelmingly, the people who made a change were more content than those who didn’t,” 

7. More Peace of Mind

If you’re moving to a Life Plan Community, you’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing that, if your care needs should change, you’ll have priority access to supportive services in the place you already call home. 

Life After Senior Downsizing at Winchester Gardens

If you’re ready to downsize your home and enjoy a vibrant, active lifestyle, Winchester Gardens may be the perfect community for you. On our historic and beautiful 37 acres, you’ll find dozens of learning opportunities, staying fit, socializing, and relaxing. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your personal tour of our campus in Maplewood, New Jersey.