Baby Boomers
As you have most likely heard, there is an entire generation who are approaching retirement or are already there. These people, born between the years 1946 and 1964, are Baby Boomers and they are making their imprint on everything from health care to real estate. From now until 2030, 10,000 Baby Boomers each day will retire, according to seniorliving.org.
Along with this senior population comes the desire to right size or downsize.
Many times, this stage of life brings the desire and financial ability to travel more.
Baby Boomers want to be tied down less to physical belongings and the chores of a large home. Other times, physical limitations do not offer a choice. It is just not possible to care for a large home and yard. They do not want to pay to have these things done.
Another group may look at their belongings with some embarrassment. They don’t want family members to have to see and deal with years and years of accumulation.
As a baby boomer myself, I experienced this first hand. My parents were both from the Depression Era. They did not waste. They did not throw “perfectly good”
items away. As a result, we had a few things to go through when it was time to sell their house. Along with the fatigue of this chore came many emotions. One exhausting, but memorable day, I was working with one of my brothers. I found my mother’s wedding dress (in a small paper Dayton’s bag), and my brother found my dad’s Marine hat. It was a day to remember for sure.
Here is a great resource to help you begin planning a downsize.
Empty Nesters
Another group of people eager to right size are the empty nesters. After going through the emotions of sending their final child off to work, to college, or to marriage, there can be a desire to re-think their home.
A child’s bedroom can be re-imagined as a guest room, a home office or even a work out area. But before that happens, much decluttering and right sizing must occur.
Again, speaking from personal experience, children do not want much of what we save for them. And just what does a parent do with a letter jacket you paid a fortune for, filled with letters, pins and badges that were sewn on after each
achievement? I’m still trying to figure that out. Times 2.
Check out this great resource on coping with the empty nest!
Millennials
This is the name given to those born between 1981 and 1996. They are currently between 25 and 40 years old. This group changes jobs often. As a result, moving is a normal part of their life. They aren’t interested in things, as much as
experiences. They do not want their mother’s or grandmother’s china, or any china.
They are practical and do not want to be tied down to material things that take
space or time to maintain.
My 2 children and their families both moved in the past year. Both families had plenty of possessions, with 3 small children at the time. They had pictures, memorabilia and décor from college, first apartments, etc.
Both women decluttered and purged a great deal before and after the move.
They both expressed their desire to have this new house less cluttered than their previous one.
Getting Started
As you see, right sizing is something that many are doing, from age 25 to 95. It all begins with a plan Here is a helpful resource to get you
started.
How to Downsize in 5 Steps | Home Transition Pros
It can be an overwhelming undertaking. If you need help with any part of this process, I would be excited to assist. I come with much experience, both personal and professional. Together we can even figure what to do with that letter jacket!
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