Everyone’s Doing It! Downsizing for the Better
Whether you simply want to eliminate clutter or move to a smaller home now that the kids have moved out, downsizing has increased in popularity in recent years. But, if it’s your turn to downsize, you may find it challenging and unexpectedly emotional. Here are some tips to make the process easier. Start early. This process cannot be rushed and will not be a quick one, so don’t try to squeeze all of the preparation and packing into a few days. This process can take weeks — or even months — and that’s completely normal. You’ll want time set aside to go through everything room by room, one item at a time.
Create ‘keep’ and ‘toss’ piles. When going through your belongings, create a pile for items you want to keep and items you want to either donate, give away, or throw away. While creating a maybe pile may feel worthwhile at the time, it will only end up leaving you with more clutter. Plus, indecision prolongs the process. Get rid of duplicates. You’ve collected a lot over the years. If you have two can openers, five sets of bed sheets, three cookie sheets, and an endless supply of spatulas, it’s time to clear out the duplicates that you don’t need or use. Consider donating everything that’s in good condition — someone surely could make good use of it.
Take time to reminisce. There is fun to be had in sorting through old memories. Allow yourself time to stroll down memory lane. Welcome laughter, smiles, and tears. You can even invite your loved ones over to help and share in the stories as you pack up the items you hold dear. Don’t let decluttering and downsizing be a daunting task; take it one step at a time. Even if you aren’t moving anytime soon, it’s always a good idea to cut down on the amount of clutter you hang on to!
3 Reasons to Return to School Later in Life
of the developments. One of the best ways to stay informed and increase your technological skills is to return to school. While enrolled in a college, you’ll gain access to computers and programs that will help you improve your use of technology. It’s affordable. You may think that you’d never be able to afford to return to college, but you’d be surprised. The University System of Georgia allows seniors over the age of 65 to take classes for credit at any public college tuition-free. That means you can attend Georgia State, the University of Georgia, and many other colleges for free. Georgia Tech’s graduate-level courses are even free for anyone over the age of 62. You don’t have to pay an arm and a leg to continue your education. You simply have to apply and enroll.
Keep your brain active and healthy.
It’s no secret that as we get older, our cognitive skills start to decline. Maintaining an intellectually and physically active lifestyle goes a long way toward preserving your cognitive skills, and one of the best ways to stay intellectually active is by returning to school. You’ll be using your mind to problem-solve while also learning new information and skills and ensuring that your brain is still getting its necessary exercise. Stay up to date with new technology. Technology has come a long way over the last few decades. Things that you would have only thought existed in science fiction have made their way into our everyday lives, and it’s important that we keep up with all
If you read our cover article, you may be reminiscing and reflecting about your time in school. Maybe you’re even considering returning to school. It might seem strange returning to a classroom full of young adults, but there’s actually been a growing trend with seniors and older adults attending college courses. If you’ve been thinking about returning to school, there’s never been a better time. Just check out some of the great benefits that seniors and older adults receive by attending college later in life.
2
Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator