Blog Post

If you have been thinking of making the move to a new, single story, maintenance free home in Virigina, this is a must read for you! Is it time to get rid of that big house and yard? Is it time to simplify your life and do what you want to do? All our homeowners have been right where you are right now. And they will all tell you this was the best decision of their lives! Here is something that may help you make this smart decision.  

This is an excellent excerpt taken from the book, Rightsizing, a SMART Living 365 guide to Reinventing Retirement, by Kathy Gottberg. The perfect analogy of rightsizing your life and eliminating the unnecessary.

“If you have traveled overseas several times, you can relate to this as in many ways it offers us a lesson in rightsizing.  So keeping in mind that the goal of travel (just like the goal of life) is to enjoy the journey as much as the destination, here are a few thing to think about the concept of letting go.

Tips for Rightsizing Your Home

1. Experiencing every part of the trip is as important as arriving at the ultimate destination.  See people at airport loaded down with luggage that they are struggling to move? Having only a few pieces of luggage to mind in transit allows you to sit back and enjoy even a busy airport – not to mention a busy life.

2. The more stuff you take with you the more you have to manage along the way. I do consider my laptop as important as my tooth brush, but it does come with some responsibility. Clothes the same thing too… when you take fewer pieces that go together, it takes the guesswork out of what to wear.  Make sure you take only those things that hold importance. 

3. Never forget how the Peak-End rule affects your memory.  Most people will remember the PEAKS of their vacation along with the ending, far more than all the rest of the details.  So include several “Peaks” that will stick out long after you return and plan something special in the end. Why make ourselves crazy planning too many activities along the way which will be soon forgotten. Then add in the experience of dragging along too much stuff, and your memory of the trip will be one of struggle rather than fun. 

4. Relationships are always more important than stuff. Who we go with and those who we meet along the way often affects our travels more than our destinations. People have the ability to affect our emotions, so it’s important to remember that people you encounter along the way will make the “peaks” of your vacation and your life, stand out. 

5. There is no way I could ever take enough stuff with me to make me feel safe if I don’t already have that mindset.  Unfortunately I think most of us take so much with us when we travel (or experience life) because it makes us feel more safe and secure. (if I take my special pillow I’ll sleep better) Instead of feeling confident we can handle any eventuality, we pretend to shield ourselves. In the words of Helen Keller, “security if mostly a superstition.  It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure.  Life is either a daring adventure or nothing”

6. Clutter in your head can ruin a good vacation as much as too much luggage.  Ever gone on a trip when you are worried or distracted by a major concern? Not easy, but attempting to let go of worries before you leave might be one of the best things you can do to have a good trip.

7. We need far less, far less than we think we need. One of the best things about travel is the very real experience of how little we need to experience and appreciate life.  After living out of a suitcase for several weeks it feels decadent to come home to a closet full of clothes, a pantry full of food, and a house full of stuff. Again, I think most of the items we accumulate are dedicated to the pursuit of comfort and security.  While those are not bad, if they hold us back from experiencing the sweet nectar of life, then they become a crutch rather than an aid. 

Consumption and clutter are very real obstacles to happiness that can often be avoided.  So regardless of whether you are planning a trip or looking to right size your life, it might be smart to take a good hard look at the baggage we all carry around with us every single day and decide if it’s worth taking along.”

REMEMBER, rightsizing is never about sacrificing.  It’s about finding a place to live where you can be free to experience the life you’ve always wanted to live.  Rightsizing requires action.  And we are here to help you navigate that process and take the first steps. No matter where you are now, rightsizing is a journey to a more fulfilled life.   Enjoy the ride!

Click here to learn about the Cornerstone Concierge Program to get you to your destination easier and enjoyable.