When we get to this next chapter of life, everybody seems to start using the same word: downsizing.

But what does downsizing actually mean?

Does it automatically mean you need a smaller house because the kids have grown up and moved out? I don’t think it’s that simple.

Maybe you don’t want a smaller home at all.

Maybe what you really want is a single-story home because you’re tired of the stairs. Maybe you want a smaller yard because you don’t want to spend every weekend maintaining it. Or maybe you want a home you can lock up and leave because this is finally the chapter when you want to travel.

And maybe, believe it or not, you actually want a bigger home.

More families are considering multigenerational living. A larger home with enough room for you and your adult children to live together might make more sense for your family than moving into something smaller.

Or maybe you’re simply going to be home more and you want space to enjoy it. You finally want that home office you’ve never had. Maybe you’d love a home gym, craft room, media room, or a guest room where the grandkids can spend the night.

That’s not downsizing in square footage.

Maybe it’s right-sizing your life.

Start With the Life You Want, Not the Size of the House

Before you start cleaning out every closet, giving away furniture, remodeling everything, or putting your home on the market, ask yourself a different question:

What do I want my next chapter to look like?

Where do I want to live?

Do I want to be closer to my children and grandchildren?

Would I love to finally live near the beach? Maybe up in the mountains? Or perhaps I love my community and simply want a home nearby that works better for me now.

Do I want less maintenance?

Do I want to travel more?

Do I want more room for family?

Would a single-story home make everyday life easier?

And just as importantly:

What isn’t working about the home I’m living in now?

Maybe it’s the stairs. Maybe it’s the yard. Maybe you’re paying for and maintaining rooms nobody uses anymore.

Or maybe the house isn’t the problem at all. You may love your home but wish you lived closer to the people and things that matter most to you.

Those answers tell you a lot more about your next move than simply deciding you need fewer square feet.

Make a Dream List and a Must-Have List

Before looking at homes, I’d make two lists.

First, make your dream list.

Don’t worry about price, square footage, or what’s currently for sale for a minute. Think about the life you want.

If you could design this next chapter, what would it look like?

Then make your must-have list.

The dream may be an ocean view, while the must-have is a single-story home.

You might dream about a huge kitchen, but what really matters is having enough room for the whole family to gather for Thanksgiving.

You may dream about traveling six months out of the year, which means your must-have could be a low-maintenance home you can easily lock up and leave.

Knowing the difference between what you’d love to have and what you need to have can make your next decision much clearer.

Maybe “Downsizing” Isn’t the Right Word

I think we sometimes put too much emphasis on downsizing.

This chapter of life doesn’t automatically have to be about having less.

It can be about having what works better for the life you want now.

For one person, that’s a smaller condo they can lock and leave while they travel.

For someone else, it’s a single-story home with a manageable backyard.

For another family, it could actually mean buying a larger multigenerational home.

There isn’t one correct answer.

You aren’t just deciding whether it’s time to leave your house. You’re deciding what you want your life to look like next.

And when you think about it that way, this can actually be a pretty exciting chapter.

Your next chapter is still an open book.

Before somebody tells you it’s time to “downsize,” take some time to decide what you actually want to write in it.

Denise | Home Joy by Denise

Imagined by me, created with a little help from AI.