What you value in a home is highly individual and changes over time. As you go through different seasons of life, your priorities may shift to meet your changing needs.
Perhaps you chose to leave the comforts of your family home in early adulthood to live in a place where you would have access to a college education.
Maybe you enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life. You love living in close proximity to art, music, and culture.
There may have been a time when you had young children and chose a home based on which school they could attend or where they could play in the backyard.
If you are considering a move, it is important to take an honest look at what’s important to you.
Taking the time to define your priorities can have a tremendous impact on your quality of life both now and in the future.
What is Rightsizing?
Simply put, rightsizing is the conscious choice to create a life that aligns with your goals, priorities, and values in the best way possible at every stage.
For some, this may mean moving to a smaller residence, while others may decide they need more space than they currently have. It could also mean choosing the simplicity, convenience and opportunities that come with joining a senior living community.
How do you decide which is right for you? Here are three big questions that can help guide your reflections.
What are your goals now and in the future?
By the time you reach retirement, you’ve likely devoted many years of service to your responsibilities, career, and family. Now, you have more freedom and flexibility.
How do you want to spend your time, energy, and financial resources? What will make life more fulfilling for you?
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Volunteering
- Attending cultural events
- Fitness & recreation
- Spending time with friends
- Gardening
- Learning something new
- Attending a study group or book club
- Swimming, biking, hiking, or golfing
- Music, art, or writing
- Traveling
- Spending time with family
- Studying history or researching your genealogy
Does your current home support your goals? Do you spend more time on yard work, maintenance, and upkeep than you’d like? How would your living situation need to change for you to pursue these goals more easily?
How does your current home support your core values?
Living in alignment with your values allows you to be the most authentic version of yourself in all aspects of your life. There are no right or wrong answers, but it’s important to be honest about the things that matter to you.
Here are some things to consider:
- Having a strong social network of friends
- Finding purpose and fulfillment
- Taking care of my mind, body, and spirit
- Financial security, having predictable living expenses
- Making my own choices
- Feeling a sense of belonging
- Feeling true peace of mind about the future
- Protecting my estate for my loved ones
How would your living situation need to change for you to align your lifestyle with these values? If your current living situation supports your values, how will you protect those values in the future as you age?
How will your home meet your needs now and in the future?
- Physical health
- Will your home continue to meet your needs if you have changes in your health or mobility?
- If home maintenance and care tasks become difficult, are you able to hire help or reach out to family and friends?
- Do you have convenient access to doctors and healthcare systems?
- Do you have access to nutritious meals?
- Mental well-being
- Do you have a support network and feel a sense of belonging in your community?
- Are you at risk for isolation and loneliness?
- Do you have something to look forward to each day?
- Do you live in an environment that encourages life-long learning?
- Does your home provide a place to connect with family and friends?
How Senior Living Can Fit into Your Rightsizing Plan
Many seniors are right-sizing their lives and moving to senior living communities to take advantage of the services and maintenance-free lifestyle.
Whether you want to travel the world, spend more time with your grandkids, or explore a new hobby, senior living amenities provide opportunities to focus on the things that matter most to you.
What would rightsizing do for you?
Contact us to learn more about the exciting possibilities independent living can uncover.