Is Your Home Feeling Lonely?

It’s a question that many people are asking themselves...

First your children moved out, and when they did you may have converted those extra bedrooms into an exercise room, a craft room, the ultimate den or the perfect guest room; but how often do you really use them? Now you may be dealing with the loss of your spouse and those unused rooms are daily reminders that you are living in an empty house.
Too much unused space can lead to feelings of loss and loneliness.  Surrounding yourself with these constant reminders of your isolation can leave you in a depressed and unhappy state.  If you find yourself feeling this way then this is an indication that you may be living in a home which is now too big for your needs.  For most people living alone, the thought of cleaning a multi-level, 3 or 4 bedroom house with 2 1/2 bathrooms can be overwhelming and depressing. Not to mention a far cry from how you pictured your retirement!

Downsizing is a perfect solution to reducing such things as clutter, cleaning, yard maintenance, unnecessarily high utility bills, property taxes, and the feeling of loneliness and isolation which living alone can sometimes bring. Downsizing also enables you to use the built up equity in your home to put toward improving your retirement lifestyle.

If you don’t want to waste any more weekends mowing the lawn, weeding the garden and tack­ling the never ending to-do list, then a condo or apartment could be the right fit. This type of living also puts you in closer proximity with your neighbours while still giving you lots of independence and freedom.

Perhaps you are tired of vacuuming, dusting and having to prepare your own meals? There are many mid and upscale retirement assisted living near you, where these services are provided. This type of living also provides you with a built in social network, companionship and a greater sense of community.

If you feel like the echoes and empty spaces of your house are making it feel more like a museum than a home the answer may be as simple as downsizing to reflect your new lifestyle needs.

You have options; it’s your retirement, so make the most of it!

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