You Should Downsize...
At a certain age, people love to give confident advice.
“You should downsize.”
✅ Less space.
✅ Less work.
✅ Less stress.
Sounds tidy. Almost too tidy.
But what if that advice is incomplete?
And what if rushing into downsizing actually creates more stress instead of less?
That’s exactly what I want to talk about—because a recent, very honest conversation with my mom completely reframed how I think about downsizing. Not just for myself, but for my clients, their families, and especially anyone quietly wrestling with this decision right now.
👉🏻 If you’ve ever thought, “Is downsizing really the next step… or just the expected one?”—this is for you.
The Moment That Changed How I See Downsizing
I recently sat down with my mom. She’s in her seventies, sharp as ever, and we had one of those conversations that starts casually and ends up sticking with you for weeks.
She talked about the realities of aging:
Being sore more often
Hands hurting
Shoveling snow, yard work, stairs, house maintenance—it all adds up
From the outside, downsizing seemed like the obvious answer.
But then she said something that stopped me cold:
“I actually like my house.”
She likes pulling into her driveway.
She likes her neighbors.
She likes her routines, her memories, her sense of independence.
And that’s when it clicked: downsizing isn’t just a real estate decision—it’s an emotional one.
Mobility Changes Everything
Here’s something I’ve become especially aware of lately: mobility matters more than age.
Stairs that never bothered you before can suddenly feel like obstacles.
Snow clearing becomes risky, not just annoying.
Maintenance shifts from “exercise” to “liability.”
Downsizing too early can feel like giving something up.
Downsizing too late can feel rushed.
The sweet spot?
When the decision is proactive, not reactive.
Why Timing Matters More Than Size
One of the biggest mistakes I see is people waiting until:
A fall
A health scare
A sudden life change
At that point, the move is driven by urgency, not clarity.
When you plan ahead:
You have choices
You can compare options calmly
You control the timeline (instead of the stairs controlling you)
Real estate decisions are always better when they’re made from a position of strength, not stress.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Downsize
If this conversation is floating around in your head (or your family group chat), start here:
Do I still enjoy living here day-to-day?
Is the house supporting my lifestyle—or fighting it?
What parts of this home would I miss the most?
What parts of my daily routine are becoming harder?
If I moved, what problem am I actually trying to solve?
If the answer isn’t clear yet—that’s okay. That doesn’t mean you’re behind. It means you’re thoughtful.
Why I Made This Video (and This Blog)
I made a video walking through this exact conversation because I know how common it is—and how rarely it’s discussed honestly.
You can watch it here 👉 [link to your video]
If this resonates, I’d love for you to watch, share it with a family member, or even use it as a conversation starter. My goal is to get this message in front of people before they feel pressured into a move that doesn’t actually serve them.
(And yes, if you’re wondering—200 views is the target. Help a guy out. Think of it as downsizing confusion prevention. 😄)
Final Thought: There’s No Gold Star for Downsizing Early
Downsizing isn’t a milestone you need to hit by a certain birthday.
It’s not a race.
And it’s definitely not one-size-fits-all.
The right move is the one that:
Preserves your independence
Reduces stress in real life, not just on paper
Fits how you actually live—not how people think you should
If you’re thinking about downsizing, right-sizing, or just wondering what your options are, I’m always happy to talk it through—no pressure, no push, no “you shoulds.”
Sometimes the smartest move…
is simply having the conversation.
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