1. It gives you more options.
Want to buy a motorhome and tour the country? Or live in the heart of your favorite city? Or move closer to family? All of these are possible, and a lot easier (and cheaper!) the less stuff you own! And the sooner you can put yourself in a more flexible situation, the more time you’ll have to enjoy a life of freedom!
2. Your stuff can have a second useful life.
What good is your stuff doing on a shelf collecting dust or sitting in a box? Wouldn’t it be better for it to go to someone who might actually need it? You’d be surprised how many people might actually be able to use your things that seem like they wouldn’t be of no value to anyone but yourself. And even if you end up just hauling your stuff to a recycling center, at least that’s better than having it end up in a landfill!
3. It saves your loved ones from having to do it later.
You know the saying: “You can’t take it with you.” By going ahead and getting rid of things you no longer need, you can save grieving family members from the burden of getting rid of piles of things that are tied to heartbreaking memories. Additionally, if you have certain precious items you intend to pass on to specific people, you can make sure they receive those items by giving them to those people yourself!
4. You won’t be the only one doing it!
No, I’m not saying you should do something just because other people are doing it. But the fact that more and more people are choosing to downsize and leave a simpler life means it’s easy to find others through blogs and social media who share your dreams! Making a major life change is so much easier when you have support network and a community.
I’ve found Facebook groups to be a great source of support and a good way connect with people who have experienced what I’m going through and can offer perspective and encouragement and assurance that you’re not alone.
You can find Facebook groups to join by typing keywords related to your situation in the search bar and then clicking “groups”. For example, you might try these searches:
- Full Time RV
- Tiny Living
- Downsizing
- Minimalism
- Estate liquidation
5. There’s no time like the present.
As long as you keep planning to downsize “someday,” you run the risk that it will never actually happen. Even if you’re still waiting on circumstances to line up, you can start taking baby steps now, and that will only fuel your desire and help you gain momentum that will eventually lead you to your goal.
