COTA Webinars - The Dos and Don'ts of Downsizing with Peter Walsh

Many older people choose to downsize as they age, whether its to save money or to clear up clutter. However, downsizing can often be challenging, with important legal, financial, and logistical aspects to take into consideration. Join COTA NSW for a helpful discussion about how best to navigate your downsizing - from finding a new home that’s right for you, to choosing what belongings to keep. Our panel of experts answer a range of questins about navigating this process.

[@thehealthjunkie8996]

What a wonderful conversation. Definitely like the idea of what Peter said making room for the life you want to live, I will hold on to the things for the life I want. Also haha mischievous like that one. Brilliant.

[@billlee1476]

Excellent podcast. So needed!

[@lolalavigne879]

I’m enjoying this talk I have been having hard time moving on but I realize I need to move on to my next chapter of my life

[@razsbags]

Livable Housing Design is so important to design for abilities of all ages.

[@bitrudder3792]

Peter sums up the challenge at 11:00-12:16.

[@razsbags]

Great to watch again.

[@Cake-6215]

Thank you!

[@anniedocken6528]

Joan Hughes, what is your AMAZING lipstick!??

[@starberrydrink]

Black Honey I think.

[@ElChupacabra77B]

I don’t understand why Peter Walsh is ‘not’ on Hoarders on A&E, or TLC’s Hoarding Buried Alive. He should’ve been part of these shows instead of being on Oprah, Rachael Ray, The Living Room, Space Invaders, et. al.

[@starberrydrink]

Actually-- matt Paxton mentions this was how he got his big break The producers of Extreme Hoarders Buried Alive Contacted peter walsh - who declined Matt Paxton was then recruited Each of these experts are very important: because everyone has a different life experience

[@ElChupacabra77B]

It looks like Peter Walsh blew an opportunity there.

[@bitrudder3792]

@@ElChupacabra77B - it seems that the show producers insisted on a spectacular and fast before/after which is a method that Peter fundamentally disagrees with. He strongly feels that people have to learn how to connect emotionally to the problem that led to their Hoarding in order to overcome it. I noticed that the show participants that had the best outcomes also were the best at connecting to those issues. The absolute best outcome was with a woman who had already been going to therapy for a while to help her with the problem...It’s just that she was physically in capable of coping with the size of the problem.

[@bitrudder3792]

Have a vision for life after downsizing that is positive, valuable, life-affirming and freer of encumbrances that most of your adult life. You don't know if physical challenges will be part of this time (ruining travel dreams, for example), but you can do what you can to be healthier, cultivate long term relationships with younger people, become a mentor by accessing life-acquired wisdom, continue to study and learn to do new things, whatever is important to YOU that can't be ruined by physical issues or loss of elderly friends (which is devastating an elderly loved one right now!) With those new visions in mind, build your future life NOW, imagine your physical stuff actively supporting you, never ever creating friction or barriers to accomplishing what is needed. Start doing this BEFORE you start the process of finding a smaller place. Let your dreams, interests and values refine the requirements of a smaller place. We've chosen to stay in a larger home longer than anticipated, post empty-nest, for economic reasons and to accommodate visitors, but it hasn’t stopped me from starting early on this process. I observe, think, take notes, evolve my thoughts on specifics. I declutter, mindful of the meaning I have given the stuff. It is always a process, and everyone has a unique pace. I still have the dreaded memory pile of boxes, 🤣, but annoyance may ultimately assist me there...I have used it with other kinds of clutter! I'm using reality checks on physical limitations as another tool. Whatever works! But it IS possible to declutter for your current life AND look forward to the next phase at the same time.