One of my favorite things to do is to talk with people about making a transition. I have met Red Hat ladies, spoken at libraries, been at churches, senior communities, Rotary, Kiwanis, everywhere!

My presentation is often called “I need help with my stuff.” Sometimes I call it, “How to deal with a lifetime of treasures”. It is the same thing.

People come thinking they will learn a step-by-step process for how to downsize. They even come armed with notepads and pens, ready to make a list. To me, “downsize” is a nasty word. I don’t use it. To “downsize” brings on connotations of painful choices, eliminating things that we want to keep, trying on a lot of clothes, overall, an overwhelming process. I get tired just thinking about it.

When we are downsizing, we are attacking our own procrastination. No wonder we put it off.

If you are looking for tips on downsizing, you can get books telling you to set categories like: keep, donate, gift, trash, recycle. They will walk you through the process. Instead of downsizing, you will hear me talking about “now-sizing”. It has a more positive meaning. You are setting yourself up so that your home reflects your lifestyle and interests today. You are also making your home more manageable at whatever stage of life you are in.

I want you to look at the bigger picture. Set a goal. Why do you want to downsize? What is your goal? Some ideas:

• Make my life easier (Less stuff means less work).
• Manage my affairs while I still can make the decisions myself
• Have control over what happens to my stuff

Once you decide on your goal, write it on a big piece of paper with a fat, black marker. Make several copies and put one on the door of every room.

Be in charge of your downsize.  Set a schedule and write it down. Then keep it.

Now, approach that mountain of stuff with that new goal in mind: this isn’t a sprint, it is a marathon. It is a new attitude. Let it become a new lifestyle.

A great place to start is with those items that you look at and say, “Someday I’m gonna…” fill in the blank: reupholster that chair, fix that table leg, refinish that dresser.  Be done. Set yourself free.

Next, if you see things in your house and fondly say “I used to…” fill in the blank: do flower arrangements, quilt, do woodworking, host dinner parties…” Smile at the memory, but then remember your goal, and let them go.

Message the kids and tell them this is their chance to let you know what they want. No grousing later if you got rid of something they wanted.

Each time you hesitate about getting rid of something, glance at the reminder on the doors and decide if it gets you closer to your goal.

There is power in now-sizing. Your items get dealt with in a dignified way. You make all decisions. But the most important thing is that you move forward.

Jean Long Manteufel writes a column each month about life changes associated with aging. Send your
questions to Jean@TransitionsWithJean.com or call 920-585-7769.