We’ve all heard the property agents’ adages: “starting out” when we buy our first house, and “slowing down” or downsizing once the children have left the nest. But do we really need to upsize in between? It’s not just about the houses we live in; it’s also about all the stuff we accumulate, the goals we set, and the stressful lifestyles so many of us end up living—plus the number of children we have and the animals we bring into our lives.
Sure, it’s great to have a large house, a growing family, lots of pets, beautiful possessions, stylish furniture, and all the mod-cons money can buy. But there’s something to be said for moderation. If you’re stressed because of any form of pressure related to your current lifestyle and commitments, now is the time to re-evaluate and do something that will allow you to live a simpler life.
Your Home
While it makes sense to find homes that fit our needs, many of us choose houses that are bigger than we need, often for status reasons. But status often comes with added stress—a fact many of us realize too late.
Just a couple of decades ago, large families—often including extended families with multiple generations living together—lived in homes that were smaller than many of the mansions that house smaller families today. Now, there seems to be a trend of “bigger is better,” regardless of a family’s actual needs. Of course, lifestyle is important, and if you have older children, it’s crucial that they have privacy. This will, naturally, determine how many bedrooms and bathrooms you need in your home. If you work from home, it’s important to have a dedicated space where you can be productive. If you socialize often, a separate dining room or an entertainment patio may be a priority.
If you want and need a large home and can afford it without adding stress to yourself and your family, that’s perfectly fine. But remember, your family and children—if you have them—should come first.
Your Family and Children
Having touched briefly on the importance of family and children, it’s crucial to balance quality time with all the other challenges of family life. For example, if you’re working extremely hard all the time and are perpetually stressed, your relationships—whether personal, business, or social—may suffer or even break down. The same applies to the activities you choose for your children. If you’re all over-scheduled, you’ll miss out on valuable downtime, which is essential for relaxation and good health.
Creating schedules that work doesn’t take rocket science—just good, down-to-earth common sense. Sometimes, our jobs place serious demands on us, leading to stress. That’s why it’s essential to ensure there’s also time and space to relax and unwind. This is equally important for our children. There are countless sports and extracurricular activities they can participate in, but the danger lies in enrolling them in too many. This could reduce their downtime, causing stress at an early age. Extra-murals can also be expensive, which may create additional pressure for you to earn more money.
It’s a good idea to discuss sports and activities with your children, helping them be selective about what they choose to do. You might find that they’ll appreciate your efforts to help them lead a simpler life, too.
Similarly, club and gym memberships can cut into family downtime. Instead, consider jogging or walking outdoors together and focus on healthy eating at home. While a significant percentage of North Americans are obese and generally unhealthy, only a small fraction of those people will get fit by purchasing a gym membership. Expensive home gyms rarely help either. The key is to focus on a healthier lifestyle. If you lead a simpler life, you’ll have more time for this.
Your Pets
Domestic pets are precious and often integral members of the family. But being an animal lover isn’t enough—you also need to ensure your home is equipped for pets and ultimately pet-friendly. You must also be sure you have the time to care for any pets you decide to bring into your home, especially larger dogs that need regular exercise and attention.
It’s not just the cost of acquiring a pet that should be considered but also the ongoing expenses of feeding and caring for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, or small animals like rats and hamsters. If your home isn’t pet-friendly, you may find that some animals quickly damage furniture and soft furnishings, adding to your costs.
Your Possessions
Although not everyone is a hoarder, most of us tend to accumulate possessions over time. If you’ve lived in one house for a long period, you may not even realize how much you’ve accumulated. Items ranging from pots and pans to clothing and shoes get tucked away in cabinets and cupboards, even if they’re seldom—or never—used. Ironically, people who move more often tend to shed possessions more easily because of practical circumstances.
Marketers of “stuff” are often very skilled at convincing us to add items to our shopping lists. We’re frequently led to believe that these “things” will make our lives easier. While some items are undeniably helpful, it’s wise to question whether you truly need the latest food processor, solar-powered flashlight, or fancy garden tool kit—or any other gadget that catches your eye. Even upgrading existing possessions like computers and cell phones can create strain, especially if they come with a hefty price tag or require a learning curve.
Your Commitment to a Simpler Life
Ultimately, living bigger, stronger, and faster can place us on a virtual treadmill or merry-go-round that just keeps speeding up, making it harder to get off. If you’re struggling to keep up, and stress is taking its toll on your life, it’s time to live a simpler life with fewer demands. Reflect carefully on what you truly need versus what you think you need. By doing so, you’ll end up acquiring fewer possessions and working less. This, in itself, will help you live a much simpler and more fulfilling life.