You can get some practical tips in our guide to decluttering and downsizing to help you make the move to a new location, including the independent or assisted living community at The Gardens in Springfield, MO. But we also know that major life moves have considerations that go beyond practical tasks you can add to a to-do list, which is why we're offering this brief guide to taking other factors into account, including your own happiness.

Balancing a Realistic Approach With Personal Preferences

As you begin a journey to downsizing, it may be time for some real-talk conversations with yourself. By moving into a smaller space, you're likely giving up some amenities you have now. That doesn't mean you won't be able to live a vibrant and enjoyable life in your new location, but as you consider all the things that might change, it can be easy to become overwhelmed.

To avoid falling into negative thought processes about these changes — and to help ensure your move is full of all types of joy — consider what you really need and want and whether your choices are realistic.

For example, you might really love your living room furniture. It's not uncommon to cultivate a living space that includes bits of your personality, history and family. You might have a special chair that's just your size and the exact color and pattern you love. Perhaps you have a sofa and love seat that complement that chair perfectly, a vintage coffee table from an aunt, a unique lamp someone brought home from Europe and a curio cabinet full of all your favorite things.

It's tempting to want to bring all these pieces with you because you love them and they make you comfortable. But practically, this may not be possible. Instead of bemoaning the fate of your living room furniture, consider how you can take part of that comfort with you. Your new space might accommodate the special chair and love seat, for example. Perhaps the curio cabinet won't fit, but you might be able to install a few shelves to display some of your most favorite items.

Consider the Big Picture

It can be easy to get caught up in the way life is in any given season and hard to imagine what it might look like in the next. When downsizing, that can lead to worry about how you might do the things you do now — even if that doesn't make that much sense.

For example, if you're planning to downsize into an assisted living apartment, you might get stressed about how much of your kitchen items you can fit in the new space. While our residents enjoy having kitchenettes in their apartments and can make themselves snacks, beverages and some meals in that space, they also have access to delicious dining options and food that's prepared for them. This is the type of detail to consider when downsizing — perhaps, on the one hand, you're sad to get rid of some of your kitchen items, but on the other hand, having access to healthy, hot and delicious foods without having to wash any dishes or clean up the kitchen again can definitely spark joy.

Don't Be Afraid to Stand Your Ground

Of course, everything doesn't have to be a compromise, and it's important to know what your must-haves for happiness are. Just be prepared to think outside the box to meet those needs.

For example, if you love to play piano and know you won't be happy if you can't play at least several times a week, living in a smaller space that doesn't afford you access to a piano isn't a great choice. Some options to consider include trading your well-loved baby grand for a smaller piano or even a keyboard that fits in a smaller space. Or you might consider whether you're moving into an assisted living community that has a piano and allows residents access to play it.

If something is very important to you, don't allow other people to talk you out of it, and don't think you can't make it a part of this next chapter of life. While you may need to be realistic about some of these wants and needs, you can do a lot in a small space, and residents in independent and assisted living communities often find they get so much more than they planned for when it comes to amenities, activities and fun-filled days.

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