Is Your Home Working for You?
We love our homes! Just think back to when you purchased your very first house. Feel the emotions of excitement and the thrill of leaving an apartment for the independence of home ownership. For many, that journey may have begun 30-60 years ago. Those memories are an important component of our life histories. The houses worked for us as long as you kept up with the maintenance both inside and out. But what has changed are the owners of the home!
Over the years our surroundings become a part of us. We sometimes feel that our home and neighborhood are synonymous with who we are and how we view our place in the world. We know the neighbors, the stores, the restaurants and our places of worship, which in most cases are within a short distance of our homes. Thinking of venturing out from our homes to a new environment is daunting. The number one fear holding most of us back from a move to a new apartment or community is the fear of change! Change is so difficult for most of us. Some embrace it but that is rare. Like an onion, we need to peel away the fears and anxieties we associate with change so that we can take a realistic view of our surroundings.
The home that once provided comfort and security may no longer match our physical and psychological needs. Many of our homes have challenges and obstacles which can cause pain, discomfort and isolation. Stairs to the second floor or laundry in the basement may present a challenge to our bodies. Home maintenance which once seemed enjoyable is now too overwhelming to consider. Isolation results from situations where even driving can be difficult. So maybe it is time to put away the rationalizations, procrastination and fear and move forward to a quality of life that you deserve! Take a good look at your life. If you find that the home you love so dearly is now becoming a challenge that you can’t overcome, consider changing your lifestyle by choosing to address your housing needs for who you are in 2009! The senior communities today offer so many different choices so that you can enjoy a lifestyle which matches who you are at this very moment. The memories of your home will go with you and will always be part of you are. So take a good look at your quality of life and pay attention to your needs as they present themselves at this moment. We too often put our needs aside and avoid change at all costs. You worked hard to be where you are so look at where you’ve been with fondness and where you are now with kindness. You cannot help others if you don’t first take care of your own needs. If your home is no longer working for you, embrace change and know that your new surroundings can be the beginning of a healthier more vibrant chapter of your life!
Tags: fear, maintenance, moving on, procrastination