When most people hear the word downsizing, they immediately think about moving to a smaller home.
I used to think the same thing.
A few years ago, I downsized into a 672-square-foot condo. At first, I thought the biggest adjustment would be learning to live in a smaller space. Looking back, the square footage wasn’t the biggest change at all.
The real change was much more personal.
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Over time, I found myself wanting less—not because I was trying to become a minimalist or because someone told me I should, but because I realized I enjoyed having less to manage.
It Started With My Home
When I first moved into my condo, I actually tried to recreate my old house.
I painted the walls the same colors. I took pictures of my living room before I moved so I could arrange everything almost exactly the way it had been before. The bookshelves that sat beside my television in my house now sit beside my television in the condo.
At the time, I wasn’t trying to simplify my life. I was trying to make the condo feel familiar.
Then something interesting happened.
As the years passed, I stopped asking what I could add to my home and started asking what I could remove.
One Drawer at a Time
This wasn’t one of those dramatic weekend decluttering projects where everything disappeared overnight.
It happened slowly.
One drawer.
One shelf.
One closet.
I’d pick something up and ask myself a simple question:
When was the last time I actually used this?
If I couldn’t remember, there was a good chance it didn’t belong anymore.
What surprised me most is that I never missed the things I got rid of.
Instead, I enjoyed the feeling of having less to organize, less to clean, and less to think about.
Why Empty Space Feels Different Now
One of the biggest changes has been how I look at my home.
Years ago, I thought every shelf needed decorations and every table needed something sitting on it.
Now I often feel exactly the opposite.
Recently I came across a Japanese design idea that encourages keeping surfaces as clear as possible. I’ve been experimenting with it in my own home, especially on my kitchen table.
It’s amazing how something as simple as an empty table can change the way a room feels.
Without the stacks of mail, the random papers, or the little items that tend to collect over time, the room seems quieter.
I wouldn’t have appreciated that twenty years ago.
Today I do.
Experiences Last Longer Than Souvenirs
One moment that really reinforced this new way of thinking happened while I was walking the Camino de Santiago.
Like most popular destinations, there were plenty of souvenir shops along the way. I was tempted more than once.
Then I’d stop and ask myself what I was really buying.
Another item to dust?
Another decoration to find a place for?
Another possession to pack if I ever moved again?
In the end, I bought very little.
I realized I didn’t need an object to remind me of the experience. The memories were enough.
Retirement Changed My Definition of Freedom
When I was younger, freedom looked like having more.
More space.
More furniture.
More possessions.
Retirement quietly changed that definition.
Today, freedom looks like opening a closet and seeing only clothes I actually wear.
It looks like not having boxes tucked away that I’ll probably never open again.
It looks like walking into my home and feeling that everything there still serves a purpose.
That’s a different kind of wealth.
Simplifying Has Financial Benefits Too
Although saving money wasn’t my main goal, it’s impossible to ignore one of the side effects of owning less.
When you stop wanting more things, you naturally spend less money buying them.
You don’t need as much storage.
You don’t feel the need to fill every empty corner of a room.
You begin appreciating what you already have instead of constantly looking for what’s next.
Your Retirement Doesn’t Have to Look Like Mine
One thing I’ve learned is that everyone approaches retirement differently.
My daughter loves decorating her home. Years ago, she decorated mine, and she did a wonderful job.
Today, I simply enjoy something different.
Neither approach is right or wrong.
Retirement has a way of changing priorities, and mine have definitely changed.
The Biggest Thing I Downsized Wasn’t My Home
If someone asked me today what I’ve downsized the most in retirement, I wouldn’t say my house.
I’d say my life.
I’ve downsized my wardrobe.
My possessions.
My desire to buy things I don’t need.
Most importantly, I’ve downsized the amount of stuff I have to manage.
For me, that’s made retirement feel lighter, calmer, and surprisingly more enjoyable.
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If housing costs are one of the biggest challenges in your retirement, you might also enjoy Why Housing Matters More Than Social Security, where I explain why your monthly housing expense can have a bigger impact on retirement than the size of your Social Security check.
If you’re looking for more ideas on living well with less, be sure to read The Art of Simplifying for the Golden Years, where I share additional thoughts on reducing stress, clutter, and distractions in retirement.