Downsizing, organizing and moving… selling, giving away and saying goodbye to your treasures. Whether you’re ready to be done with a big house or life has made a choice for you, grief is a normal part of moving.
It’s easy to understand that grief when life chooses a path for you but it can take you by surprise when you choose to move and find that grief has tagged along for the ride.
Even when you’re excited about your new home and thought you’d looked at every aspect of the move, it’s inevitable that there will be aspects of your new arrangement that you didn’t anticipate. Or couldn’t. Understanding that grief follows change, allows you to give yourself the time to feel what comes up.
As you sort and pack, leave time for revisiting old memories. And leave room to be surprised by the things that bring up memories! Give yourself time to let go of the dreams that may or may not have come true in your old space.
Leaving behind old tools and possessions can feel like you’re leaving a part of yourself behind. Even when you’re ready to give up the responsibilities, letting go of the satisfaction you used to get from fixing, creating or entertaining is a big deal. Don’t let anyone tell you different.
Unpacking and finding that you don’t have space for a favourite object also brings feelings of grief. There are dozens of changes associated with downsizing. Do your best to remember that this stuff is real and happens to us all. Make space for yourself to feel.
Whether you’re choosing to give things up, or feel like the choice has been made for you, there will be grief.
Be gentle with yourself and know that it will take time to let go, to settle in and to find the rhythms of your new space.
xo