The Emotional Side of Letting Go: Why Right-Sizing Is About More Than Space

It is very shocking to me that the emotional toll it takes on you as you RIGHTSIZE catches people off guard. On paper, yes, it looks like a logistical process. When you’re in the planning stage, it’s about going through “stuff,” cleaning the house, and looking at communities. There is some excitement to the planning part.

When you’re in the act of RIGHTSIZING, it changes. The reality of actually moving on from the home stirs all sorts of emotions. I have seen people get emotional over

• Old report cards,

• clothes,

• pictures,

• magazines,

• and plenty of other things that have long been stored away.

What’s Actually Happening

This can be summed up pretty easily - you’re not just moving things, you’re shifting a life. The laughs that were had, the memories that were made, and the lives that were lived are all part of the home. That comes with a lot more weight than people expect.

Why It Feels So Heavy

This can effect people differently because it’s tied to identity, memory, and routine. Those are things that cannot be packed into a box. Homes are tied to people and people are tied to memories. Imagine all of your memories made in the home and with the stuff in it as an object - Isn’t that heavy?

What Helps

There are plenty of things that people have tried with me over the years. Some have worked, some have not. That’s because there is no way to know what triggers people’s emotions. In general though, the important things that are always present include:

• Recognizing that this is essential for your parents

• Do not rushing through it.

• Don’t minimize the gravity of the situation for convenience or brevity

• Acknowledging the process actually becomes easier to move through it

• Have fun! Remember, this is not a doom-and-gloom time. It’s the start of a new chapter in your parent’s story!