Jane spent many years in a five-bedroom home where she raised four children and built a life filled with music, family gatherings, and treasured memories. Looking back, she believes the timing aligned perfectly with the next stage of her life. Living alone in a home designed for a large family no longer felt necessary, especially when she considered how meaningful it would be for another family to create their own memories there.
Jane eventually downsized from her 2,400-square-foot home to a 577-square-foot apartment at Friendship Village. On paper, the change might appear dramatic. In practice, it became an opportunity to rethink how she wanted to live in this next chapter of life. Rather than focusing on what she might lose, she began to think about what she truly wanted to carry forward.
One moment in particular helped shift her perspective. Standing in front of a large closet in her home filled with miscellaneous items was a reminder for her of how easily belongings accumulate over time.
“I looked at that closet and thought, I don’t ever have to worry about this anymore,” she says. “It was like chains coming off. I felt an overwhelming sense of freedom.”
As Jane moved from room to room, she asked herself two simple questions: which items brought her joy, and which served a meaningful purpose in her life today. The pieces that answered those questions found homes in her new space at Friendship Village. The remaining objects found new homes with family members, neighbors, or local organizations. The process felt unexpectedly liberating for Jane.
“It was a mindset shift of realizing the physical presence of something doesn’t have to be the total sum of what it represents. One piece can still hold the memory.”
While Jane’s personal living space may be smaller, her world has expanded.
At Friendship Village, she jokes that her apartment may be 577-square-feet, but her true living space stretches far beyond her front door.
“When I want to host family or friends, there are beautiful spaces all over campus,” she says. “It feels like the whole community becomes part of your home.”
And perhaps most surprisingly, rightsizing created something many people don’t expect:
Time. “Letting go of things created room for new experiences,” she says.
Without the responsibility of maintaining a large home, Jane has more energy for the things she enjoys most. Her time is now spent connecting with neighbors, enjoying activities on campus, and exploring new interests.
Experts in aging transitions often emphasize that thoughtful preparation can make the rightsizing journey far more manageable.
Pat Lauria of Aging Renaissance recently visited Friendship Village and shared some helpful rightsizing tips. One of the most challenging steps to rightsizing involves sorting through a lifetime of possessions. Lauria reminds clients that this stage benefits from patience and support. She suggests bringing in experienced professionals to assist with this step including packing, organizing, and coordinating donations. This helps individuals remain free to focus on the belongings that hold the greatest meaning.
Additionally, Lauria shares one of the most important pieces to the downsizing journey for individuals is to celebrate the lifestyle that follows. This step can often get overlooked in the hustle and bustle of rightsizing, but it’s just as important to care for your emotional well-being as it is your physical well-being.
Jane’s experience reflects that perspective beautifully. Rightsizing, she believes, offers an opportunity to focus on what truly enriches this season of life. Possessions that once filled a house gradually give way to something else entirely: experiences, connections, and moments that continue to unfold.
As Jane reflects on the journey, she offers one final thought. “The hundred things you let go of leave room for surprise.” And often, those surprises become the most meaningful part of the next chapter.
