Downsizing - YouLookFab Forum

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Downsizing

suzieq

My husband & I are downsizing & moving to Mexico next year. Because home prices are high right now, my husband has decided to list our home for sale right after we get back from vacation at the end of July. This means I have a lot less time to sell my piano & other good stuff. Still, I have spent the entire pandemic decluttering & donating, including clothes we won’t need in that tropical climate (except for some clothes to get me through one more winter here). I don’t know how I managed to cut my wardrobe in half, but I did, & now I have only the items I actually reach for & wear. At the same time, the colors work well together, & it’s not a minimalist wardrobe. It took some real thinking, but now I’m actually happy.

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14 replies

Latest reply was from suzieq

rachylou

Veteran

That’s cool. You’re ahead of the game!

Synne

Veteran

Great job!!

Anonymous

Great job. Your home may sell very fast so have someplace for you and your stuff to go.. A friend is having to rent a small house until she finds her new home.

Style Fan

Veteran

This is an exciting time for you. I wish you all the best. I have a friend who moved to Mexico, and she loves it.

suzieq

Thanks. We bought a furnished place, so the only stuff we’re taking is what will fit in our suitcases. Luckily we have 3 trips there between now & when we move. This is the first time we haven’t been able to move everything we wish we could take. Oh well…

RobinF

Veteran

That sounds exciting! It is a bummer having to leave behind loved items though. We helped my mom down size a few years ago and it was really hard selling some favorite items.

Having a happy wardrobe is exciting too!

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Congratulations on cutting the wardrobe in half! I look down my clothing lists and wistfully wish there were fewer on there. But the ones that have been worn the most, are the ones I like the best. So it’s hard! Might I ask how many you have left, approximately?
And good luck with the house sale. Since you have already bought then selling in a good market will be great for your finances. That will be hard selling or donating loved things.
Really enjoy your posts.

Bijou

Veteran

Well done on your successful downsizing - dropping 50% of your wardrobe is a big ask. I cannot imagine leaving everything behind, but from time to time, life demands us to accept that at the end of the day it really is just 'stuff' and not super important.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Wow, that sounds like a successful edit! And how exciting to be planning such a move -- I love Mexico. What part of Mexico will you be moving to?

We are now putting our cattle ranch in Texas on the market. The market is hot enough that it seems the right time, as we want to simplify our lives over the next few years and my husband is aiming for retirement by 2024. The listing isn't even on the market yet and we already have two serious offers.

Anonymous

I am fascinated by this because while it comes naturally to my husband, I'm trying to re-ignite a more adventurous spirit in myself.

I have left things behind many times, and moved long distances a few times too, but not recently. Your post is reminding me of how revitalizing it was to do something completely different and how quickly I became so absorbed in my new life I never missed the things I left behind.

Best wishes to you!

suzieq

Thanks, everyone! I wish I could say that everyone could do this, but the truth is that it’s easier to cut one’s wardrobe in half when moving to the tropics where we won’t need any winter clothes. I guess I could cut it even further, but I love my clothes & will have enough closet space for what I’m keeping, thanks to being able to get a 3-bedroom condo.

We will be living in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico, which is south of Cancun & Playa del Carmen.

bj1111

Veteran

how exciting!

Eliza

Veteran

What an exciting time. Great feeling to have accomplished so much during the pandemic. You are fortunate to be able to start a new adventure and experience the joy of being unencumbered by an excess of stuff. While we have no big move planned yet, Mr E retires in 10 days and my wardrobe is shrinking. I want to streamline things and focus on travel as it becomes more possible. Congratulations!

suzieq

We’re going down there on July 4 & staying for 3 weeks. We invited some friends to come join us for the first week, & family may fly down later. It will be a lot of fun.