How to Downsize Without Becoming a Small Person

 

If you travel light you will be better equipped to travel far.

Inthe last few years, many writers and speakers are saying that decluttering and downsizing are essential to living a happier and simpler life, especially as we age. Author Gina Greenley is not alone in urging people to let go of what they don’t need and don’t use.

“Much of what we acquire in life isn’t worth dragging to the next leg of our journey” — Gina Greenley in Postcards and Pearls: Life Lessons from Solo Moments on the Road

If reducing your material things, your carbon footprint or even the size of your house is on your agenda, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to reduce your size as a human being as a result.

Packing things into boxes to pass on to our children and grandchildren doesn’t mean we have to reduce our activities, friendships, hobbies or new interests. Getting rid of a closet full of things you don’t use can make your life easier. Giving up a full, absorbing life can do the opposite.

While life changes can cause us to reduce our involvement with the world, there are concrete steps you can follow to live large and be happier than ever.

Pursue sustainable activities. Go after those interests with which you’re likely to stick. If you enjoy hiking, toss out those old maps you used in the 1980’s. Buy some lightweight hiking boots instead and plan a trip to the mountains.

You don’t have to try the steepest trails. Look for some new places to hike and keep a list of hikes you’d like to take. Look for groups that lead hikes and invite friends to hike with you.

Staying involved in the activities that are really interesting to you will broaden your world and bring more fun, unexpected people and events into your life.

Make an investment in your closest friendships. Sometimes our involvement in the world makes us weary and we have a tendency to close ourselves off from others. This makes our social lives smaller.

It’s important not to do this with your closest friends. You need them and they need you. You’ve probably known many of your friends for a long time and each person makes a unique contribution to your life. Those with whom you have the closest, most honest relationships deserve your time and attention.

Involving ourselves with people who listen, ask questions, provide help and support when we need it and encourage us to take risks can help us remain fully active in life.

Devoting time and energy into these connections can help you stay active and involved with the outside world.

“After all these years, I am still involved in the process of self-discovery. It’s better to explore life and make mistakes than to play it safe.” Sophia Loren

Keep an arts and culture to-do list. This is one way to remain involved. Make an ongoing list of movies you want to watch, even it it’s on Netflix. This is also true for books and art shows you want to see. Read arts and culture reviews online to keep up with what’s out there. Then make it a point to see what interests you.

Getting out and participating in cultural events broadens your view and keeps you active and involved.

Learn something new every year. Make a list of topics, skills and activities you’d love to know more about. It may have a wide variety of items — everything from organic farming to salsa dancing to graphic design — but it’s a good place to start.

Choose one item from the list every year. Next year may by the year you learn everything there is to know about photography or playing a musical instrument. When you’re considering what you want to learn, you may draw a blank at first, but once you start, you’ll find yourself unable to stop. Don’t overdo it. Try not to choose more than one subject a year as you may get overwhelmed and give up the activity entirely.

Get to know someone new. Even though our closest relationships are the ones we need to nurture regularly, it’s also good to make new friends. Meeting new people helps us maintain broad interests and stay connected to the outside world.

It’s enriching to connect with different people who have a variety of interests. Even a casual conversation can spark creativity and inspiration.

Bringing people into our lives regularly keeps our interests, our ideas and our worlds expanding.