“My mama always said you’ve got to put the past behind you before you can move on.” 

That quote came from the movie, Forrest Gump, which is still one of my all-time favorite movies.  It’s amazing how young Tom Hanks was in that movie and today, like me, he’s a bit older!

The relevant part of this story is how Forrest managed, despite his disability, to adapt and adjust to his circumstances. Life was always changing for Forrest and he managed to keep his compass straight by what his mama told him.  It’s good advice for all of us. 

I constantly ask myself, how am I adapting to my changing circumstances especially as I age?  Sometimes, not as well as Forrest but I am aware enough of my circumstances to ask myself, “What can I do better?”

Lately, I’ve been asking myself, now in a downsized home, what can I do to purge belongings?  COVID-19 presented me with an opportunity to spend time in my “shrine to the past” also known as my garage.  By now, there are no grandchildren to pass down my kids’ old clothes, toys and books as I envisioned. Nor does there seem like there will be any with at least one of my sons.  Plus, they remind me, they have no room to store their once prized possessions.

I’ve come to terms with what I can’t control relative to old visions.  Rather it is up to me to look at what I do have favorably.  Holding on to “stuff” just didn’t seem to make sense to me and as Forrest’s mom advised him to move on, I had to leave the past behind me.

So, I purged over one weekend. Out went the skis, poles and boots (bad back, can’t chance that).  Out went old office files (paper is now a thing of the past).  Out went items I thought I might need (been thinking that for the past couple of decades).  Out went once-upon-a-time beloved books (I really won’t read them again, there’s the internet).  So on and so forth.  At this point, two weeks later, I’ve almost forgotten what else I purged!  Why then did I then hang on so long?

I stand refreshed now, in a garage that with another minor push, will allow me to once again, park my car inside of it.  I can’t wait to roll on into the garage for the winter months.

So, downsizing can be a pain in the neck or back (I did have help to minimize that).  Yes, there was a bit of grieving for what once was but this purge was also an accomplishment.  I faced my fears, my inertia and simply did what felt right and what was needed.  I have no regrets.  If anything, I feel lighter.

So, if you are thinking about downsizing to a lighter and brighter, more manageable house, here’s a video I hope you enjoy! Watch Video Here.

If I can be of help, please reach me, Margaret Kapranos, Senior Real Estate Specialist, SRES Realtor at 415-608-5070.

My website at MargaretKapranos.com is also an overall informative site for Seniors under Senior Resources.