Smaller IS Better

When you've looked at something from both sides, you have perspective. I've lived in houses with space more than a couple of thousand square feet and later, slid into a condo with much less than a thousand. Which is preferable? You know the answer when you're walking behind a broom or a dust cloth. Urban small is the new trend. We are all well aware that the breadth of a diamond doesn't mean it has quality. Quality of life is its sparkle, and you don't get much of that pushing a vacuum around house floors that you rarely tread. My move to a small, very small, but elegant place  with great people, was the best one. Lots of you, I know, are asking yourselves if you should leave the big family house and opt for a nice condo somewhere in a convenient setting. My advice is: go for it. A, the biggest and hardest lesson in life is that "you can't take it with you". B, is that your big empty house is wasteful. Big  house space wastes environmentally, and personally, and I am not talking investment. "Big" wastes your precious time. Go for life quality, not  quantity. I learned getting rid of all of my "treasures",  left  more time to enjoy the ones that mattered: family and recreation. When I had the bigger house, there were many nice rooms but most of them, most of the time, just sat there needing dusting. When I did get around to doing it, the job was drudgery  Sure, it was nice to walk amongst the memories, but the maintenance made for imbalance. I was loaded down with keeping up something I didn't need - or want, latterly.  Down-sizing is scary, but once the "stuff" goes, the rest is delightful. It's the idea of doing it, that deters. Mother's china and grannies silver are memories, and thus, you never lose them.The new small urban condo-style homes are  luxurious and  offer huge amounts of natural light and an opportunity for socializing and for easy gardening on your deck or patio. My kitchen, living room, dining area and laundry are all close in what's called a  Great Room and truly, it is great! Everything is not more than an arm's-length or so away, and that saves steps that can be applied to a walk or run outside, later. Cleaning and dusting become an if-I-can-see-it job. Floors are no longer carpeting that needs shampooing but still isn't truly, clean. Someone else now does the windows and hallways and main gardening  gratis. Cooks and bakers can hone their habits and men who grieved giving up their work shops, soon get used to spending energies on the golf course. People sail or fly off to exotic places knowing their homes are watched over. I'm not saying condo life is ideal in every aspect, but the size factor is complete gain. Being in a different version of neighbourhood  has morphed to group events that take place right in the tower or town house row or trailer recreation centre in which you live in your downsizer. Crafts and hobbies and volunteering are only a step away. If you don't already realize it, you deserve a break and to learn that smaller IS better.