Smaller Spaces May Edition

Smaller Spaces Newsletter

Anney Fagan I met some really interesting people at downsizing seminars I held at Parkwood Place and Amica at Beechwood Village recently. The audiences of retired lawyers, professors, executives and others were impressive, yet downsizing had them stumped for a variety of reasons.

Understanding someones fears about downsizing can make a huge difference in our ability to help them through the process. Beliefs and assumptions about cultural norms could be what is standing in the way of a smooth transition for people you know--perhaps even you hold some beliefs about space that could stand to be challenged.

I hope you enjoy the read!

Anney

Anney Fagan

Owner, Act Together Moving Services

Why Do We Need So Much Space?

According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), the average size of a Canadian house in 1945 was just over 800 square feet; in 1975, it was 1,075 square feet; and by 2000 it had almost tripled to 2,266 square feet.

When we look at house sizes around the world, we see that our standards are ridiculously high here in Canada. In Japan, the average size of a home is 1,021 square feet--less than half the size of Canadian homes. People in the UK on average live in homes that are just under 1,000 square feet.

Smaller spaces work well in Japan.

The huge size increases in Canadian homes in the last one hundred years is really interesting. Canadian family size has decreased, so why do we need more space?

I think in part it has to do with social status. Society places a value on how much living space one has, so we use our square footage as an indicator of wealth and prosperity.

If you know someone who is struggling with their downsizing, start up a conversation about what space really means to them. Does moving into a smaller space mean they will feel like they are sliding down the social scale, or are they more nervous about having to get rid of a lot of their things?

If you can gain a deeper understanding of their resistance to downsizing, you'll be better able to help them through their transition.

Get Rid of Stuff, Help Women Around the World

Do you have some things around the house that you'd like to get rid of?

Would you like to donate them to help improve the status of women in our community and around the world?

On June 23, the Soroptimists International chapter that I belong to is throwing a huge garage sale. All proceeds will go towards club projects ranging from providing mammograms to low income women, to sponsoring self-esteem workshops for teenage girls, to providing micro credit loans to women locally and internationally.

Soroptimists

Soroptimists is 100% volunteer run, so all the money we raise goes right back out into the world to help women be at their best.

if you have some things that you'd like to donate, such as kitchen items, tools, sports equipment, small pieces of furniture etc. please let me know and I can arrange for pickup. Email Anney or call (250) 588-7754.

Ladies: if you're interested in finding out more about Soroptimists, please ask me! We are looking for women to join our chapter so we can help even more women locally and internationally.

Thanks!

Allow us to bring calm, care and expertise to your move.

Enjoy past issues of

Smaller Spaces

March Newsletter

April Newsletter

"What a big job settling her mother's estate, and moving contents out of Canada! She spoke to me of how respectful you were with her. She said you were her angel."

Read what else our clients have to say on our website!

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