The Downsizing Baby Boomer

Nobody ever had to persuade me into believing that less is more. Being at the tail end of the baby boomer generation, I never fully understood how having less could possibly be a good thing, until recently.  Seems that my husband and I had worked a lifetime trying to achieve a certain lifestyle.  So, how is it that by the time I had reached my mid 40's (a few years ago when our youngest was finally off to college), I suddenly found myself wanting less?  How could it be, that just after the prime of my life I was already in the mindset of a senior citizen?  Perhaps the thing that was really becoming old was not ME, but me just being a homeowner for so many years.  I purchased my first home back when I was 23 years old.  After a long progression of moving up, up, up - today I would gladly trade my 5th home for something smaller and easier to maintain.

....all these years later, I would give anything to have my starter home back and return to the simple life.  Less to clean, less gardening, less to furnish, less to pay in utilities, less taxes, less to mortgage.  Yes indeed, less is more.  The theory is that by having less to maintain and pay for you end up with more time on your hands, more money in your pocket and fewer pressures of working hard in exchange for a more affordable lifestyle.

For years I thought there was nothing wrong with wanting the best that money could buy. Yes, there's truth in the old adage, be careful what you wish for.

As a Realtor, I usually witness my past mindset through working with others who want, more, more, more. It amazes me how few people whom I had met in the past were ever perfectly content, yet there's a part of me who totally understood.  Who doesn't want more?  Maybe this all comes from living in such a materialistic society ...up until now. I think things are changing.  Perhaps for different reasons, I may be in the company of many homeowners these days.

Yes, reality has reared its ugly head, as everybody has been effected by this national economic crisis in some way.  If not directly, we're watching what's happened to others. Suddenly, more people who are NOT experiencing financial troubles are feeling fortunate and perhaps more content.  These days, anybody who still has a job and can still make their mortgage payments knows somebody else who is less fortunate.  Are we becoming a more humble society, less judgmental about what others have or don't have?  Is there really anybody out there anymore who is trying to keep up with the Jones'?  Maybe I am too old and secure to not really care if people judge me by the house I live in or the car I drive.  I don't need those kind of people in my life anyway.  I once lived in a Stepford wife community - where people can be so shallow.  Never again!         

There's a psychological game we play with ourselves - to see how much we can achieve in life.  When we finally reach a goal we set new ones.  But, this time I've decided enough is enough, ...or, maybe what I have is more than enough. I am pleased to have been able to give my children a certain lifestyle.  But, now the time has come for me to consider a downsize so I can fully enjoy life.   

I fall within the ranks of other baby boomers before me who have realized that less is more.  Less is more time effective. Less is more affordable. Less will afford me other luxuries like traveling, spending time with family and yes - working less to experience life's simple pleasures.