About to Become an Empty Nester? Some Tips for a Smooth Transition
The term ‘empty nesters’ refers to parents whose children have grown up and moved away or flown the proverbial nest. And while for some parents this is a sad time, for many others it’s a happy, dance around the living room in your underwear while singing at the top of your lung’s kind of a time.
Whichever side of the coin you fall on, there’s no denying that becoming an empty nester is an important life transition. And when you’re going through an important life transition, who should you always turn to? Mini Mall Storage, of course. We’ve got your back with the sage advice needed to navigate all of life’s biggest moments, including this sort of happy, sort of sad, but somewhat inevitable transition when your kids are finally ready to start lives of their own.
Life As an Empty Nester
The kids have moved out! You can finally eat popcorn for dinner if you want to. And now you suddenly have more time for yourself and can make decisions based on your own preferences rather than for the good of the entire household.
So, this begs the question… what to do next?
Do you stay in your family home, keeping everything as it is? Do you repurpose and redecorate your space to align with your own tastes and needs? Do you downsize to a smaller home now that everyone has moved out? It’s a decision that every parent will eventually have to make, and the answer really depends on your own needs, preferences, and lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at all three options below.
Keeping it All the Same
Depending on how often your adult children will be returning home to visit, you may opt to keep their rooms as they are. Keep the posters on the wall, the books on the bookshelf, DVD’s piled in the corner and the bed in place. They’ll love coming back to their old room when they’re staying with you, and you can always use the space as a spare room for any other guests you might have. If you don’t need the space for anything, this is the simplest option.
Keep things neat and tidy by offloading clutter and non-essential items, like baby items, old toys, school records and old clothes to a secure storage unit to keep them safe and sound for the long haul.
Repurposing and Redecorating
Not worried about having a spare bedroom or preserving your child’s old bedroom like a museum? Transform their room into something more functional for you! It could make the perfect home office, art studio, or craft room.
You’ll get to enjoy your home and make the most out of your space, and you can always keep all their old stuff in storage in case you’re not quite ready to part with it.
Downsizing to a Smaller Space
For many empty nesters, it makes more sense to downsize to a smaller home. You might not want to deal with the expense and upkeep of a large family home with a big yard, and you’ll be living there all by yourself. Instead of wasting space, you might want to opt for a cute apartment in a more convenient or desirable location.
No matter which option you decide is right for you, it’s the perfect time to declutter, get organized, and get clear on how you want your living space to look and feel. With the ease and convenience of a storage unit in a location near you, you can keep whatever you need to keep without cramping your style at home. Just reach out to Mini Mall Storage today to learn more about our storage solutions, calculate the size you need, or get started and book a unit.
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