If you are reading this, it is likely that you have experienced the death of a loved one. This can be an incredibly difficult and overwhelming time where you may find yourself faced with the task of downsizing their belongings. If your loved one owned a home, you may be wondering what to do next.

Here are some things to consider when you need to downsize after the loss of a loved one:

  • Grief is a process that takes time, so give yourself space to mourn
  • Don’t try to do everything at once – focus on one task at a time
  • Seek help from friends and family members when you need it
  • Hire local resources to help you deal with the mess left behind
  • Contact a real estate agent to help you sell the house if you don’t want to keep it

Grief is a process that takes time, so give yourself space to mourn

Grief is never easy and often uncomfortable. It’s important to recognize that there is no right way to experience the process of mourning. The most beneficial thing we can do for ourselves during this time is to give ourselves the space we need to go through it, while leaning into supportive relationships with friends, family or a therapist. Grieving takes strength and perseverance, so make sure you pace yourself and ask for help when needed. Remember that grief often takes longer than expected, but it can be overcome with patience and understanding.

Don’t try to do everything at once – focus on one task at a time

One of the most important lessons in life is that it is always better to focus on one task at a time, rather than attempting to do everything at once. It can be tempting to try and accomplish multiple goals at once, but jumping from one task to another without being able to fully invest your time and attention will lead to mental exhaustion and unnecessary mistakes. By focusing on a single subject or job, you can ensure that your attention is undivided and you are putting all of your energy into doing something right. Taking the time to really understand something is far more valuable than dispersing your strengths over multiple assignments.

Seek help from friends and family members when you need it

Everyone has their own ups and downs throughout life. No matter how strong you may feel, there times when a little help is needed. It’s important to remember that friends and family are also here to lend us a hand.   It’s okay to reach out if we need it. Remember that many of us don’t like asking for help but sometimes it can be the best thing to do, even if it feels uncomfortable in the moment. It can give us comfort knowing that even in our toughest times we don’t have to face them alone. So the next time you need an extra boost, make sure you seek help from your friends and family members who will be more than happy to be there for you!

A Senior Move Manager can help you with Downsizing

Many of us are busy people with what sometimes feels like a million things on our to-do list. If you are grieving the loss of a loved one and feel like the years of accumulation in their home is overwhelming, contact a Senior Move Manager. You can find a Senior Move Manager near you by going to the National Association of Senior and Specialty Move Managers website. Not only will they leave your house organized, it will allow for the family to review what is in the house, make decisions about what they would like to do with those belongings (keep, sell or toss), and save them time going through the years of accumulation. A Senior Move Manager will also arrange for other services such as estate sale company, estate clean out company, cleaning services, and work with a realtor to ensure the house is ready for sale.

Contact a real estate agent to help you sell the house after downsizing

Selling a house can be daunting, especially if you don’t know the ins and outs of real estate. However, to make sure you get the best possible results from your sale, it’s wise to enlist the help of a real estate agent. With significant experience in the industry and access to important resources and connections, an experienced agent can provide insights on how to attract buyers for your property. A good agent will also give you information about current market trends that could affect how quickly your property is sold and for how much money.  In other words, hiring a real estate agent ensures that you get as much out of your home sale as possible.

Conclusion

Grief is a difficult and complicated process, but there are ways to make it more manageable. Give yourself time to mourn and focus on one task at a time. When you need help downsizing after a loved one has passed, don’t be afraid to ask for help from friends and family members or other local resources that will lessen the burden, support your downsizing efforts, and allow you to focus on matters that mean the most.  Contact us at Elder Transition Consulting if you need support.