Downsizing can be a little too overwhelming.  It is a process that involves a lot of changes. It usually means leaving a home full of memories, a familiar neighbourhood, and friends.  It also involves decluttering and the decisions of which furniture, family treasures and items of sentimental value to let go of.

You’ve probably heard of the Kübler-Ross model, popularly known as the five stages of grief.  Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross said that dealing with change is a similar model to serious trauma, and we believe it is a useful model to understand the downsizing and transition process.

Based on that model, here’s the Stages of Downsizing:

  1. Immobilization / Shock Stage*. This is too overwhelming! There’s just so many things to do. What do I do first?
  2. Denial.  This is not happening to me, I don’t need to downsize.
  3. Anger.  I’m angry about the process! Why me?
  4. Bargaining. I guess I’ll try a little bit and maybe have a look at what other places may be out there.
  5. Depression. Where has the time gone?
  6. Testing*.  What are my other options? Who can help me?
  7. Acceptance. It’s time to move on and I will enjoy myself so much more without all these maintenance issues.

*This model is extended slightly from the original Kübler-Ross model, which does not explicitly include the Shock and Testing stages. These stages however are often useful to understand and facilitating change.

You can’t move ahead quickly enough, but you can’t push yourself any harder than you are as you process the emotions.  But identifying which phase you you are in, may help you though your transition.