‘Rightsizing’ One’s Life Can Mean A Lifestyle Upgrade

(Reprint from Asbury Today August 2008)

As part of their long and successful lives, many older adults discover that the extra stuff they have accumulated over time can actually be a barrier to the rewarding lifestyle they want to lead. The answer for a growing number of adults is to “rightsize” their residences and possessions in order to upgrade their lives.

It’s a dilemma that older adults can easily find themselves in — after working hard to get a bigger house and the ability to buy more things, those items now no longer suit their desired lifestyle. They may have a garage full of fancy lawn care equipment, but no longer wish to care for the lawn themselves. Or they may be keeping up and paying for utilities in multiple guest rooms, which are never all used at the same time. In other words, where they live doesn’t match how they want to live.

“Life changes no matter what age we are, and what we want out of life also changes,” said Andrew Morgan, director of sales and marketing for Asbury Methodist Village in Gaithersburg, Md. “One example is the older adult couple who finally have the freedom and the financial ability to travel extensively. But they also have a large house and yard with no one else living there to maintain it while they are away. So which do they make the priority?”

“There are definite advantages to rightsizing your life, especially if it adds value to other aspects of your lifestyle,” said Morgan. “We work with people to start a conversation about whether they are living for your passions or your possessions. Are they considering intangibles such as making new friends and new connections, exploring new places and experiences, freedom from maintenance chores and providing for your future security? Or are they just focused on caring for their home?”

Morgan suggests adults take a look at their lives today and 10 years into the future to decide what lifestyle best suits them now and in the future. Just looking at new and different lifestyle options can help determine if a person’s residence is rightsized, or if there are better alternatives. Considerations include costs associated with maintaining unused space and possessions; the desire and ability to continue ongoing upkeep of property; and what the home contributes to the desired lifestyle in terms of well-being and fitness, social atmosphere and life goals.

 A second step in rightsizing is taking a look at a person’s possessions to determine if surplus items can be de-cluttered to better organize what is really necessary and useful in their life. Morgan said a few keys to rightsizing possessions are:

§  Make the decision to stop maintaining living space and items that are either not used, or used only sparingly during the year.

§  Inventory and organize possessions to cut down clutter, providing easier access to the items you use the most.

§  Realize that you don’t have to discard sentimental or favorite items, but instead can make them more of a focal point by clearing other items out of the way.

§  Sell surplus items and use money raised on enriching lifestyle pursuits.

§  Giving back by donating unwanted or seldom-used items to charitable causes.

§  Determine which items are most important to keep in the family, and how those items can be enjoyed now instead of being stored for later.

§  Seek advice and assistance from companies that specialize in rightsizing.

 “The happiest and most fulfilled older adults I know are the ones who have made a decision that their lifestyle is more important than the collection of things they built up over the years,” said Morgan. “After people rightsize their lives, they often express that they wish they had done it sooner. They are relieved that their energy and efforts can go toward what they enjoy, instead of tasks they have to do around the house.”

One of the biggest discoveries people who rightsize their lives make is that they aren’t comprising the way they live, they are actually improving it. Morgan pointed to the fact that senior living communities are making it a priority to build residences with quality features and touches that rival most new home construction.

“Our goal as a community is to offer stylish residences that fit more manageably into any lifestyle,” said Morgan. “We don’t want your home to be the biggest demand in your life. We think you can better spend your time on your passions — be that friends, family, fitness, culture or continuing education. The reason to rightsize is to enrich your life in a more engaging setting.”

Asbury Methodist Village offers a wide variety of residential options, in addition to providing amenities and resident-driven activities designed to encourage an atmosphere of wellness and social activity. Information on the Asbury Methodist Village lifestyle is available by calling (301) 216-4100 or (800) 327-2879. The Marketing Office is located at