On January 1, 2011, the oldest member of the baby boomer population (those born between 1946 and 1964) turned 65. During this year alone, 7,000 more boomers will turn 65 EVERY SINGLE DAY!
As boomers age, we often find ourselves juggling career, family and the responsibility of caring for our elderly parent(s) and/or the liquidation of their estate(s). We begin to ask ourselves, “How long can dad maintain the yard and all of the home repairs? Now that mom is alone, can she keep up the family home with its 20 or 40 year collection of stuff? What if something happens and we are left with the clean-up? How and when should we broach the topic of downsizing?
Let’s begin by dropping the term ‘downsizing’. The word itself is a ‘downer’ and simply evokes a feeling of loss. Life is full of different stages and transitions and this just happens to be one of them. A much more appropriate and positive term is RIGHTSIZING – a time to acquire and a time to let go. We can choose to gift our treasured possessions to others NOW and enjoy their delight in receiving them. We can choose less responsibilities and more time with family, friends, and hobbies. No more storing things for others. We and our parents can choose less stuff and more freedom.
As one of my clients, a seventy year old retired professor, told me years ago, “I am cleaning up after myself so my kids won’t have to.”
Let’s start with our own stuff and encourage our parents to do the same. Letting go of stuff we don’t need, want, use, or haven’t the space for is cathartic. Sort, purge, pack “like with like” in uniform containers (preferably clear plastic) and clearly label the contents of each box. Just doing that makes everything easier to move should you decide to. Start early; take it in stages, and it will be easier. If you wait until you “have to,” the process is guaranteed to be a roller-coaster of emotion. Look at this new stage in life as an opportunity for new experiences and new memories. Letting go opens up all kinds of possibilities. It is not the end. It is a fresh start – at any age.