Downsizing Replace: Nearly 5 Years Later

In November of 2020, we revealed a publish known as “What’s It Like To Downsize” after residing in our smaller dwelling for six months. We coated a spread of experiences – like the great issues about shifting to a smaller dwelling (proudly owning much less stuff! saving cash!) and a few of its challenges, particularly within the preliminary phases of downsizing (paring down! determining storage!). We nonetheless agree with every little thing in that publish, however it had solely been six months… and because it has now been over 4.5 years (!!!), we really feel like we’ve got a couple of extra so as to add in regards to the long-haul downsizing expertise. Let’s get into it.

I gained’t recap our complete resolution to downsize (you possibly can see the complete clarification right here) however the highlights are:

• We used to stay in a 3,150 sq. ft. dwelling in suburban Richmond, Virginia
• Now we stay in a 1,400 sq. ft. dwelling a couple of blocks from the Gulf of Mexico
• We now have 6 rooms (together with simply 1 lavatory)
• Our present home’s lot is 1/tenth the scale of our final home’s lot
• We don’t have a storage, attic, or basement (however we do have a pool/scorching tub/firepit)
• We wished a home that’s “walkable” & can now stroll to retailers/eating places/the seashore
• Our household downsizing motto has been to “stay with much less & be outdoors extra” (different motto: “spend much less time cleansing & extra time within the pool”)

After 4.5 years, we are able to nonetheless confidently say that downsizing was a fantastic resolution for us. We dedicate rather a lot much less time, cash, and power into homeownership (upkeep, renovation, furnishing, cleansing) than ever earlier than – which has freed us as much as deal with household, hobbies, nature, and a greater work-life steadiness. Financially it has additionally been helpful (we made an entire chart about saving $$$, as a result of though our home is in a hotter location, it’s rather a lot simpler to warmth & cool). You possibly can see that breakdown in our authentic downsizing recap.

We’ve additionally had our present dwelling longer than our first home, our second home, our seashore home, or our duplex at this level (time is wild!). So our downsized life-style is hardly a “blip” and we actually would have modified issues by now if it wasn’t match.

Forgetting You Downsized

Most days it’s simple to neglect that we ever lived with (or believed we would have liked) extra space. We’ve lived on this home lengthy sufficient to completely modify (each mentally and logistically) to having 1400 sq. ft. What as soon as felt like an “unconventional” or “totally different” life-style change feels regular and unremarkable. A lot in order that it’s a bit of tough to jot down this publish. We’ve grow to be a bit of blind to what’s fascinating or distinctive about it!

So why will we draw consideration to the “forgettableness” of downsizing? Effectively, for a few causes.

1. Transitions Are Short-term

First, we hope this reassures anybody going through an identical transition, whether or not by alternative or not. Downsizing can really feel difficult at instances, however the challenges don’t final eternally. As a result of identical to any transition in life – going to varsity, beginning a job, having a child – the adjustment interval is commonly the toughest half. So allow us to be an instance that, in some unspecified time in the future, you’ll be on the opposite facet. You’ll modify.

That’s to not say the adjustment is at all times quick or simple. And totally different elements could also be tough for various individuals. We loved paring down our belongings, in order that half wasn’t too tough for us (dare I say, thrilling?). However after shifting into our smaller dwelling, it took us 2-3 years to:

• work out furnishings preparations in a couple of trickier areas
• absolutely implement enough storage options (like including closets)

So there was an preliminary “sticking level” find the easiest way to retailer sure issues (or a literal ready interval whereas we constructed the storage cupboards or closets that we would have liked). However now that we’ve figured these issues out, every little thing has a spot to stay, and it’s much more autopilot round right here. Actually, if pressed to recall what we struggled with storing or what took the longest to determine, it’d take a 10-minute brainstorming session to truly keep in mind.

2. It Was The Proper Transfer For Us

Secondly (and extra personally), the “forgettableness” of our resolution tells us we did the proper factor. Downsizing isn’t for everybody, so the truth that it has grow to be so normalized for our household is immensely reassuring. We nonetheless have individuals over (our pool & proximity to the seashore is an actual draw). We spend much more time outdoors as a household. We clear the home collectively each Sunday in about half-hour (all 4 of us have our fav jobs). Six rooms whole (and just one lavatory) actually have a plethora of upsides.

That’s to not say we don’t typically really feel the constraints of a smaller dwelling (right here is the place I might argue that limitations aren’t at all times dangerous – like do we would like a home with sufficient house to retailer actually *something* we’ve got ever wished?).

To select an instance of a storage limitation, a couple of years in the past Sherry wished a couple of of these 6′ skeletons to hold from our second ground deck every Halloween. She proposed storing them within the crawl house (which might have labored – though skeletons below the home could be a bit of creepy if somebody ever came across them throughout an inspection or one thing). After some thought, Sherry ended up getting 4 smaller skeletons that fold on the waist and might simply be saved in a basket inside. The children get a kick out of repositioning them each October (rain chain Miley-Cyrus-In-Wreckingball scenes have been created) so there isn’t a scarcity of pleasure, and it hasn’t ever actually felt like a “sacrifice.” You modify. You pivot. All is okay.

Really, there’s a peace that comes with a resolute “nope, it gained’t slot in our home” that helps us stroll away from a number of issues with out a lot inner debate (and with cash remaining in our pocket). Additionally, a number of individuals stay with out 6-foot skeletons… which is kinda the purpose. The longer we stay right here, the much less incessantly we let our house limitations distract from the positives of downsizing. It’s only a reality of life that we’re joyful to stay with in change for the opposite issues we’ve gained.

Being Reminded You Downsized

Like I stated earlier than, this subsequent part appears like a direct contradiction to every little thing I simply stated. How can or not it’s simple to neglect we downsized… but in addition be repeatedly reminded of that reality? This fascinating dichotomy simply appears to be part of downsizing, so I believed I’d try to put it into phrases for anybody who’s considering a downsizing journey.

For the reason that day-to-day of residing in a smaller dwelling during the last 4.5 years has grow to be so normalized to us, there are humorous little moments once we’re reminded that our resolution isn’t everybody’s norm. A kind of humorous reminders could be when one other particular person asks us about downsizing and says they might by no means stay with out their visitor room & their double storage (we normally chat about how downsizing positively isn’t for everybody – and every particular person has various things they couldn’t stay with out).

Typically it’s simply this second of being in a bigger dwelling whereas visiting a buddy and noticing they’ve 12 closets or an enormous laundry room. It’s not a nasty sensation – it’s only a noticeable second of “oh yeah, some individuals have all this room! I’m wondering in the event that they suppose our home is bizarre, though we’re so used to it.”

To take this one step additional, comparability is a near-universal reality of homeownership, whether or not you’re evaluating your own home to a home throughout the road or a house that’s featured on the web or in {a magazine}. This isn’t particular to downsizing AT ALL. I’m certain lots of you in bigger properties have envied somebody’s much more spacious home in some unspecified time in the future. And you could even have felt a pang of craving for a smaller and extra easy dwelling, however don’t truly need to stay in a single. It may possibly simply be a bit of momentary feeling.

My most important level right here is that a number of little needs or yearnings can exist without delay in your thoughts, and people momentary pangs don’t imply you hate what you have already got or should change issues. Insert that quote in regards to the grass at all times being greener. So in case you’re fascinated by downsizing, it could be sensible to take inventory of how these comparisons actually make you are feeling over an extended time period (fleeting needs apart).

Should you’re somebody who can say “that’s so cool for them, however I don’t suppose I’d need to clear these 4 additional rooms” – you may actually be prepared (and excited!) to downsize. But when seeing these grander properties stirs up some form of burning want (versus being a passing second of “woah, they’ve a theater room!”), perhaps take a while to dive deeper and ponder if downsizing truly feels best for you.

Once we stroll into big open homes or showhomes, we’re very joyful to absorb all of the inspiration & recognize each element after which fortunately return to our cozy little home. Touring these “greater and higher homes” is enjoyable for us, and it’s additionally an train that reaffirms our alternative each time.

Once more, for us, residing with much less = needing much less cash = working/cleansing/sustaining/organizing much less = extra time for household/pals/hobbies/nature. There’s a huge “why” behind our alternative. So seeing somebody’s greater/nicer home usually turns into second to savor the readability we’ve got round our objectives. Is it lovely? Sure. Is it value spending extra time sustaining it and dealing longer hours to afford it? Not for us.

I’m particularly grateful for that readability given the big variety of properties round us. One distinctive factor about residing right here is the big selection of home sizes (and, shall we embrace, fancy-factor?). The properties in all of our earlier neighborhoods have been comparatively the identical. Some might need a more moderen kitchen or lavatory, a completed attic, or an addition on the again, however the variations normally weren’t greater than a renovation away from the home subsequent door.

In our present space, nevertheless, the vary is actually WILD. You could find lavish & giant waterfront properties value eight figures only a brief stroll away. Every single day we see every little thing from little cottages like ours to towering multi-family trip properties. Fortunately that big selection doesn’t make us second-guess something about our resolution to downsize. However I think about it could be tougher to deal with if we felt like our home actually was too small and we have been squeezed in there like sardines whereas these round us had all that room after which some.

All this to say, I might not select a neighborhood like ours in case you’re vulnerable to house-size envy or in case you fear you’ll second-guess your resolution to downsize. Sherry and I truly get pleasure from that our home “stands out” in our neighborhood as being one among simply round two dozen “authentic cottages” that have been constructed earlier on when our streets have been sleepy and sluggish (it’s a fantastic dialog starter!). However I believe a youthful me who was much less certain in my selections may’ve most well-liked to mix in and sustain with the Joneses a bit of extra. I believe that may’ve made this course of tougher. So… know thyself.

Would We Nonetheless Select Downsizing?

If it isn’t already obviously apparent, YES!

Within the nearly half a decade since making this alternative, we’ve solely grown extra steadfast in our resolution. We have been so centered on the logistical and monetary points of downsizing in our earlier downsizing recap, I don’t suppose we had actually digested these psychological points sufficient to elucidate them. We have been additionally solely 6 months in, and really a lot loving our new dwelling, new location, and new life-style – however it could not have been simple to see it from as vast of a lens as we are able to at present.

And now, 4.5 years after downsizing, any kind of honeymoon interval that will have occurred is over and we’re nonetheless very fortunately married to it. We’re amazed by how normalized it has grow to be to us, and the way simple it’s to brush off any “temptations” round us. Sherry says that like getting tattoos, paring down and simplifying is addicting. Besides I assume with regards to the occasional jonesing for big skeletons. However even that may prove okay…

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