Before You Need to Decide Anything:
Preparing to Prepare

Few seniors like to think about leaving the family home. But sometimes, the unexpected happens, and an immediate departure is necessary.

“But I’m healthy and happy!”

You may be – now. But a lot can happen, sometimes in a very short length of time.

Consider an injury, a health scare, or a partner’s illness or death. In such instances, most people feel rushed, emotional, overwhelmed, and scared.

This isn’t that conversation. This conversation is for those of us who are:

Still independent.
Still enjoying their home.
Still mowing the lawn, tinkering, and managing just fine.

What if you interviewed yourself?

Imagine meeting someone new, someone your own age. The two of you are about the same age, and start talking about downsizing. And that makes you think about your own situation.

Why is this even crossing my mind right now?

• Are the bills manageable, but only because you’re paying closer attention than you’d like?
• Does your body bounce back… eventually?
• Are you maintaining bedrooms that serve absolutely no purpose?
• Does the yard look more like a nature preserve than a lawn, mainly because mowing is not your single source of quiet time anymore?

Logic might say: This is a lot of work.
But what really matters is the emotion behind it.

If you’re honest with yourself, what’s the driving force behind this?

What would you miss… or not miss?

Be blunt. This is just between you, and, well, you!

• Would you miss the house itself—or the memories tied to it?
• What would be harder if you moved?
• What would be easier?
• What would you be relieved to stop doing?
• Would a change help you financially?

Look at Your Home With Fresh Eyes.

Pretend that you invited your new friend over. What would they see?

• Is the kitchen still doing its job the way it did when you proudly remodeled it… decades ago?
• Are the carpets in great shape, or just very committed to their era?
• Are spare bedrooms frozen in time?
• Have projects been delayed because “it’ll be quick” was wildly optimistic?
• Do you find yourself spending most of your time in just a few rooms?

Our homes hold our lives and our memories. This makes it hard to see them objectively. And that’s normal, and completely fine. That’s why you’re here. This isn’t about judgment. It’s about awareness.

Don’t do this alone.

Talk to your family. Let them know you’re not moving; you’re just thinking ahead. Reassure them you’re planning so that if the time comes, decisions won’t be rushed or made in crisis.

They’ll appreciate it more than you realize.