For many, retirement is a time of transition and deep reflection. As we move into a new chapter, this shift can bring to light both the positive and negative aspects of our daily lives that we may not have taken the time to think about before.
There’s nowhere this may be more noticeable than in your home. Maybe you have an extra-large living room suitable for hosting, unused bedrooms where now-adult children once lived, or belongings that once made sense but now sit collecting dust. When the nostalgia clears, many come to one simple question: Is my home a good fit for me now?
If you find yourself asking this, rightsizing may be the answer.
What Does it Mean to Rightsize?
Rightsizing is the practice of increasing or decreasing the size of your home or your number of belongings to best fit your current life stage. Although we may not know it, most of us rightsize multiple times throughout our lives. When going off to college, buying a first home, or moving in with a partner, we must make decisions to better adjust to our new lifestyle, including either parting ways with belongings, adding new belongings, or even choosing a new home entirely.
Rightsizing vs. Downsizing
Unlike its sister concept, downsizing, rightsizing doesn’t necessarily mean reducing your belongings to fit in a smaller space, remove clutter, or save money. Instead, rightsizing emphasizes balancing functionality and lifestyle. This more flexible approach is often less intimidating for those who struggle with change or are in the midst of stressful life transitions, such as moving or retirement.
For example, in the case of a crowded closet, downsizing experts may recommend getting rid of the oldest or least-used clothing and maintaining a smaller wardrobe size to save space. In contrast, rightsizing recommends careful consideration of other details that impact your wardrobe size, such as your current climate, the size of your home, or important memories attached to the clothing. Based on what you determine, you can add objects, remove objects, move objects elsewhere, or change your home entirely as you see fit.
Top 5 Rightsizing Tips
Check out these tips for rightsizing from Heidi Lane, Certified Senior Move Manager with Discover Goodwill.
The Key Benefits of Rightsizing
1. Reduced Home Maintenance & Stress
A poorly rightsized home can turn what should be your personal sanctuary into a source of daily stress. Too much space can make cleaning and home maintenance a time-consuming task, while too little space can feel cramped and cluttered. Likewise, owning too many or too few items creates day-to-day inconveniences that make life more difficult. Rightsizing eliminates many of these challenges by streamlining household maintenance, simplifying routines, and creating a calm environment.
2. Simplified Finances & Predictable Costs
Rightsizing doesn’t just benefit your home — it also benefits your wallet. By implementing rightsizing’s philosophy of detailed planning and lifestyle curation, you can select a home and belongings that best match your financial goals. A rightsized home avoids the trap of spending excessively on maintaining belongings or spaces that get little use, thereby saving money on key services like housekeeping, landscaping, and maintenance.
3. Improved Safety, Access, & Walkability
Whether you’re aging in place or making the transition to a senior living lifestyle, safety is one of the greatest priorities for older adults who are at a heightened risk of falls and other health emergencies. An excessively cluttered, excessively large, or otherwise unsuitable home can increase the risk of falls. The rightsizing process is a great opportunity to take note of potential hazards, remove clutter, implement accessibility features, and make other safety improvements.
4. Freedom to Travel Without Worry
Many rightsize not to improve life inside their home, but outside of it. After being freed from the obligations of work, the last thing many retirees want is the obligations of home upkeep. With a smaller space or fewer belongings to maintain, you can jet-set as you please, whether it’s exploring new places or visiting far-away friends and family.
A Practical Guide to Rightsizing: What to Keep, Sell, or Donate
If you’ve been in your home for a long time, you’ve likely accumulated many belongings over the years – some functional, some sentimental, and others that go unused. Between these collections of things, it can feel intimidating to begin the process of rightsizing. We’ve put together some simple tips to get you started:
- Set a Goal: Contrary to what you may think, the rightsizing process begins long before you sort the first item. It starts when you decide the why behind your rightsizing. This goal will set the framework for the entire process. Common goals include:
- Reducing clutter to simplify household maintenance & chores
- Sorting items & measuring furniture to prepare for a move
- Identifying new opportunities to simplify daily life
- Consider Asking for Help: If your home is large, rightsizing may be an especially long or daunting process. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Enlisting the help of someone else can make a multi-day rightsizing spree more manageable. Consider asking a close friend, family member, or even a professional for help.
- Tackle the Easier Areas First: Rightsizing isn’t just a physical task, but also an emotional one. It can take time to become comfortable with the idea of replacing or disposing of belongings that are meaningful to us, but that doesn’t need to halt your progress. As you reflect and process your feelings, consider working on areas that may not have as much emotional significance, such as bathrooms, closets, or home offices.
- Sort Every Item as You Go: During any period of change, it is easy to get caught up in possibilities. Many end their rightsizing process with a large “maybe” pile of items they might have a use for later on. Challenge yourself to avoid the maybe pile by sorting every item you come across into piles or bags to keep, sell, donate, or gift.
The Decision Framework: Space, Spend, Social, Support
If you find yourself stuck, we recommend keeping in mind the key tenets of a successful lifestyle: physical wellness, mental wellness, and financial wellness. Simplified into the four S’s – space, spend, social, and support – these core ideas can help you think more deeply about what to hold on to and what to let go of. As you sort each room of your home, ask yourself the following questions:
Space:
- How much space do I really need for comfort and enjoyment?
- What are the potential tradeoffs from too much or too little space?
- Will I be able to manage this amount of space in the future?
Spend:
- How do my home and lifestyle choices align with my financial goals?
- Can I identify any opportunities to save money by changing my lifestyle?
Social:
- Does my current home support the connections I value?
- Does this home provide me with opportunities to form new connections?
- Is there anything in my current environment that prevents me from forming new supportive relationships?
Support:
- Am I in an environment that will help me thrive long-term?
- Does my current home and lifestyle allow me to seek further support if needed?
- What changes can I make to provide the support I need right now?
Related: Rightsizing 101
Revel Communities Amplifies the Benefits
The senior apartment homes at Revel communities are designed with seniors in mind, allowing you to discover not just a smaller space, but the right space for your needs and lifestyle. With a variety of floor plans, each with a range of storage options, Revel empowers you to hold on to the memories and belongings that matter while letting go of what no longer fits. Meanwhile, on-site housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and more can simplify daily routines, helping you get the most out of your rightsizing efforts while enjoying the many benefits of independent living.
Take our 30-Day Activity Challenge Today!
Rightsizing your home clears the way for a lifestyle focused on what truly matters. Now that you’ve created the space to thrive, it’s time to fill your schedule with purpose. Use our 30-Day Activity Challenge to kickstart your new chapter with daily goals designed to enhance your physical, social, and mental well-being.
Why Revel Offers Transparent Value
“If you’re considering independent living, Revel Communities offers a unique approach that maximizes the benefits of this lifestyle. With resort-style amenities, restaurant-style dining, social events, and wellness programs, Revel allows seniors to live in comfort while enjoying the lifestyle of their choice.
Residents are free to form new friendships, pursue new interests, and create new memories in a vibrant, luxurious environment. “
