tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post2200441204291991972..comments2024-03-28T13:57:29.949-07:00Comments on Thoughts from a Bag Lady In Waiting: Downsizing: a difference of opinionLinda Myershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05706455533282204519noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-81892728575912816412017-07-02T11:14:31.558-07:002017-07-02T11:14:31.558-07:00When we left home ownership, my husband really str...When we left home ownership, my husband really struggled with giving up the dress shoes. He had been such a well dressed person at work, and it was tough letting go of that. It does pick up steam after you realize it's just stuff.Allisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02475433199308666648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-2646713941496640612017-06-29T15:54:30.351-07:002017-06-29T15:54:30.351-07:00Once we started the downsizing project it picked u...Once we started the downsizing project it picked up steam. We're in a smaller yet still spacious house, perfect for growing older in-- no stairs, a pool which we love, a smaller yard to care for, a friendly neighborhood. Affordable taxes.Reduced utility bills. We USE every inch of this place.. no "extra" areas for accumulating. We don't seem to miss the stuff we gave away,sold, or donated.We had too much anyway!! Now, life is about experiences, not things.We no longer collect stuff, our art collection is complete and gives us joy, I don't accumulate magazines and books like I used to.I kept only the ones that fit in the small wall unit in this house. When we travel I never buy anything to bring home. I have enough.I only want the experience and the memories... <br /><br />Ken had a harder time giving up some of our space and the larger yard, but now, into year 4, he's happy with the space we have. We took a year and lived in a house up North where there was NO GARDENING! And wildfire danger. Ken agrees being in a town with more resources and services is important. And that made him grateful for the "smaller" yard we have here in town, where he can garden to his heart's content. <br /><br />It can take a couple of years to get the hang of all this-- but you and Art are experienced at change !! You've made a great start by having your park model here in Arizona.. Madeline Kasianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01322242227493558613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-8299555985082196322017-06-27T13:56:11.753-07:002017-06-27T13:56:11.753-07:00Dear Linda, having moved nine years ago and having...Dear Linda, having moved nine years ago and having lived in that 1870 home for 32 years, I, too, had accumulated a lot of "stuff." Decluttering is not easy--bags to throw in the trash, bags for Good Will, bags to keep, bags to give away to family or friends. Sorting all that means making a lot of decisions and that's tiring, but oh, so worth it.<br /><br />Your plan seems sound to me--downsize or lighten the load and then look for a smaller place there in Washington or elsewhere. It's a new adventure and it looks like your husband has begun the journey with you. Peace.Deehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00612299013780771262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-64248621218925121742017-06-27T13:10:32.837-07:002017-06-27T13:10:32.837-07:00HI Linda,
Your story sounds very much like ours. T...HI Linda,<br />Your story sounds very much like ours. The only difference is that you are like me and my wife is like Art.<br />Pothen. Pothenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13739932573692769321noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-45310285493161343822017-06-27T12:17:05.916-07:002017-06-27T12:17:05.916-07:00Getting rid of stuff is not easy, but so necessary...Getting rid of stuff is not easy, but so necessary. My parents were packrats and, after they died, it took us two years of working on their house every weekend to clear it of clutter. I'd rather throw away, donate and give my stuff as I choose myself instead of having relatives do it. Bob and I delivered a lot from our home of 29 years in Los Angeles before moving to Arizona seven years ago. Our "downsizing" was a little different -- less stuff in a larger house! But it is built for older people -- no stairs or step down. I still need to do some decluttering and giving away of heirlooms from my grandmother. If not now, when? I won't have more energy next year or the next!Dr. Kathy McCoyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02903015507894951725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-7768736211525135992017-06-27T01:41:01.482-07:002017-06-27T01:41:01.482-07:00Sounds like you're on the right track -- a tra...Sounds like you're on the right track -- a track I need to get on. Think I've been held back by the three things you listed since I've been alone. Must remember to take pictures of some things and see if that helps. I don't plan to relocate, but have said the kindest thing oldsters can do for their kids is sort through and dispose of things before dying. joaredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09999395062839739698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-85741407138171656612017-06-26T19:33:24.633-07:002017-06-26T19:33:24.633-07:00Art doing it on his own is HUGE. Next step for us ...Art doing it on his own is HUGE. Next step for us was to pile up all the "kid stuff" and say, "take it or it is going". Letting them choose helped the process along. WE were encouraged to get rid of so many things. I liked Laura's idea of scanning all pictures. When my brother asked me if I wanted a photo of our great grand parents, I whipped out my phone and took a picture. Thanked him and moved along !Janettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10054888725603183006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-17142792349583965472017-06-26T12:51:30.328-07:002017-06-26T12:51:30.328-07:00...and at our house we just got the permit to buil......and at our house we just got the permit to build the new storage barn! It's actually not that bad, as it will put the Airstream, tractor, and Paul's truck under cover. We're both systematically going through stuff. The garage is now full of stuff that we want to go. Last week I sold a bed and a dresser. I'm motivated to have a yard sale and get rid of it all since my car is now parked outside, but I'm glad to have a place to pile things we want to get rid of. Once it hits the garage I've let it go!#1Nanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04214011945298439939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-31019084111582806032017-06-26T12:21:48.248-07:002017-06-26T12:21:48.248-07:00Baby steps but actually those are pretty good step...Baby steps but actually those are pretty good steps in the right direction. Hope you can keep it going. Arkansas Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14156004753267665579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-6335093391285881122017-06-26T04:40:10.772-07:002017-06-26T04:40:10.772-07:00I have no problem downsizing and getting rid of st...I have no problem downsizing and getting rid of stuff for some reason. My first husband accused me of not having a sentimental bone in my body so I guess I am meant to think of it as some kind of defect. I literally feel this weight on my chest when I am around piles of stuff.<br /><br /> I have been asked to help a couple friends declutter. The first was not successful as she is an actual hoarder. The space under the bed was filled with old magazines and newspapers. When I hauled out the recycle bin, which seemed like a most logical step, she gasped. Oh, no, she had to go through all those in case of recipes she might want to try. I had to walk away.<br /><br />The second friend was moving and downsizing under unexpected time constraints. It wasn't easy for her, but she did much better than #1. She has now referred me to another friend who needs to get rid of piles of stored "stuff." I should start my own business, but that not being able to breathe thing would not be good for my health.Olgahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00692441479616299920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-77188610303820356192017-06-25T21:33:59.738-07:002017-06-25T21:33:59.738-07:00A little each day! As we have been painting rooms...A little each day! As we have been painting rooms and closets, I am amazed at how much we have collected in the 15 years of being in our house.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14054769074853733897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-59726151172026645372017-06-25T19:14:20.485-07:002017-06-25T19:14:20.485-07:00We will have to face downsizing at some point. We&...We will have to face downsizing at some point. We've talked about it. I think neither of us is ready. We are still collecting stuff, although we have slowed down on that too. <br />I agree that having Art identify what his fears are has kicked him into action. Mediation at work?Linda Reederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07665601809156707572noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-41213379316224127932017-06-25T18:06:03.317-07:002017-06-25T18:06:03.317-07:00I call it addition by subtraction, but it is not e...I call it addition by subtraction, but it is not easy.joehhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08520161706680568508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-17089012597158318832017-06-25T17:57:28.143-07:002017-06-25T17:57:28.143-07:00Well, it's like a lot of other things. You don...Well, it's like a lot of other things. You don't do it until you're ready. Sounds like Art is getting ready!Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08611148987085476580noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-80345851990739774542017-06-25T17:16:47.536-07:002017-06-25T17:16:47.536-07:00Good for you both. I think when we moved here in 2...Good for you both. I think when we moved here in 2008 from Colorado that the rightsizing we did has held. We do buy stuff but we don't have a huge place to store stuff, so it doesn't stick around for long. :-)DJanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07152183871573797791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-53302599479307355962017-06-25T16:07:05.380-07:002017-06-25T16:07:05.380-07:00Courage, dear! It seems the men have to mull over...Courage, dear! It seems the men have to mull over the idea before they take action sometimes. Much better to control the change to more manageable living now then to have it forced on you in a crisis.Bonniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06494190967174359622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-7445110538447578982017-06-25T15:36:24.621-07:002017-06-25T15:36:24.621-07:00A person has to be ready to downsize. Asking Art w...A person has to be ready to downsize. Asking Art what was troubling him probably helped him face the feelings that were getting in his way. I love that he went ahead and started while you were out! Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandmahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17223278142557533175noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-2285726239907762112017-06-25T15:31:41.801-07:002017-06-25T15:31:41.801-07:00Brilliant news about giving away things you don...Brilliant news about giving away things you don't need or use; a step in the direction of downsizing to a smaller home which will be all on one level and not as dangerous as your driveway when icy. This is a good first step.Terra https://www.blogger.com/profile/04396481049075747940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-44179905361188246512017-06-25T15:08:37.302-07:002017-06-25T15:08:37.302-07:00Hi Linda! Good for you for taking (and getting y...Hi Linda! Good for you for taking (and getting your husband) to take that first step. I get that it can be intimidating but once you get going it can be strangely intoxicating. That's why I call it "Rightsizing" instead of downsizing becuase downsizing carries all those negatives with it. Rightsizing on the other hand is a move toward something much more positive at this time in your lives. Yes, it will likely take some time but if you can make it interesting and fun, then so much the better. A couple of suggestions come to mind, start talking about different communities that offer features that you really like....for example, my husband and I just took up pickleball and it would be REALLY great to live in a community that had that close. The more you get excited about some sort of amenity you want to be closer to, the more you can start considering properties that have what you want. The second thing is to hang out with people who have already done what you want to do. We love to get together with friends and chat about all the things we get to do because we don't have to maintain a huge house and/or the cost of it. It's fun when you can encourage each other. As I think you know, I write about rightsizing on my own blog quite a bit so pop over if you want more inspiration. And don't give up! ~KathyKathy @ SMART Living 365.comhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12392736262783641661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-31326120431377684662017-06-25T14:30:03.663-07:002017-06-25T14:30:03.663-07:00Decluttering, downsizing, getting rid of stuff in ...Decluttering, downsizing, getting rid of stuff in the long run is a great relief and a lot of work in the short run, but well worth it. A new activity, once in a while, can be looking alternative places to live. No rush!Meryl Baerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13482532818278685217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-65684173775822605942017-06-25T14:08:01.849-07:002017-06-25T14:08:01.849-07:00It is a bittersweet but strangely rewarding experi...It is a bittersweet but strangely rewarding experience. Don't rush it. It takes longer thN you you think and probably requires three passes before you claim success. Great blog!whalechaserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13249468938978394571noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356815487392618550.post-73122168509440223922017-06-25T13:57:40.516-07:002017-06-25T13:57:40.516-07:00Hi! Love your blog! I don't follow all of the...Hi! Love your blog! I don't follow all of the Korando rules but this year we took two categories a day and sorted them. You put everything together of one category pick a number and go! .in the pens category we had 300 who knew our number we decided on was50 we Donated the rest, we are nearing the end of it and we have donated 37 boxes and bags so far! So many things we found we didn't know we hadAWmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14660894434476230217noreply@blogger.com