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Gayle's Blog

Upsizing

20/1/2018

22 Comments

 
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I had quit working my 9 to 5 the previous year. About this same time, I started feeling like I needed to move. It wasn’t that I wanted to move as I had been in the same home for fifteen years so there was a lot of accumulation of ‘stuff’ that I would need to sort through. But the feeling just wouldn’t leave me – it was time to move.  Being 65 and having quit working, it did seem like the ‘normal’ thing to do at this stage of life was to ‘downsize.’ However, I was still feeling young and vital, and not quite ready for a retirement village although I did go look at a few which confirmed this wasn’t my move.   I felt open to whatever the next stage of life was going to bring.

I started to look at houses, duplexes, townhouses, apartments. Every agent I contacted quickly pegged me as a retiree who was downsizing.  I had to convince them to show me everything that met my criteria of being fairly new, in a nice neighbourhood, big windows, lots of light, and of course, in my price range.  Because I was willing to also consider moving to an adjoining shire, I soon discovered there were quite a few properties for me to inspect.
In the meantime, I was diligently cleaning out the attic and the closets, sorting things into the give away pile, the garage sale pile, the keeping pile etc. I contacted a local agent who I had known for years and told her that I was ready to put my house on the market. She was a woman about my age and her first comment when she arrived was, “Yes, we’re at that stage of life when its time to downsize.” I said I wasn’t sure about that – but it was as if she couldn’t hear me because she was so fixed on the idea that people downsize when they retire. When she brought her assistant around a few days later to help me complete the paperwork, she told the assistant I was downsizing!  Then the following week she brought her whole sales team around so that everyone in the office would know my house.  She told all of them that I was downsizing. I tried to correct that assumption – but I could tell they just weren’t listening.
Fortunately, while out inspecting other homes for sale I came across an agent who did hear me and she started showing me some lovely big homes. I immediately realized that after living alone for 20 years, I was ready to have a housemate and get into shared living. I also had a friend who was doing airbnb and really enjoying meeting people from all around the world who were visiting our area.  This sounded like fun and would provide some additional income. I found the perfect home in a matter of a couple of weeks (with the agent who didn’t have me locked into downsizing!) And the agent I had listed my house with had a buyer within ten days. So it was all done and dusted in the proverbial blink of an eye. I moved a few weeks later.

My new home has two master bedrooms with en suites – perfect for house sharing. It also has two other bedrooms that I rent out on a per night basis.  I’m listed with a nearby college and have students stay with me who come for courses. And I also let the rooms through Airbnb. I love having a house filled with people. Yes, renting rooms on a per night / per week basis is a fair bit of work – good thing I’m still feeling young and vital!

I have since become accredited as an esoteric yoga practitioner and have the space in my new home to give private and group sessions.  With a large lounge area, I decided to start a monthly book reading group. I have staged a few photo shoots at my house for different projects I’m working on. There’s more but you get the picture – I’ve found a beautiful house to call home and I’m making it available to as many people as possible to enjoy.
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I think how different my life would be as a ‘retiree’ who had downsized!! By upsizing, I feel like my life has expanded to include a lot more people and a lot more fun. 
22 Comments
Carmel Reid
20/1/2018 04:25:03 pm

What an inspiring blog - your decision to upsize has certainly brought you some great opportunities to connect with more people.

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Anne Hart
20/1/2018 06:21:51 pm

I love that you have turned expectations on their head and upsized and expanded your activities and interactions with people. You are definitely not a retiring 'retiree'!

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:09:18 am

I don't feel that any of my friends are the retiring 'retiree' type. Upsizing is just one way we can start to change this pattern. I'd love to hear how others are doing it.

Gayle
22/1/2018 09:07:48 am

Hi Carmel
Yes, I think it is a universal law that if you create space, it will be filled with something. We then have a responsibility to attend to what we let fill that space. Its a great pleasure to lovingly attend to this space in a way that pulls in LOVEly people and events.

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Deidre Medbury
21/1/2018 05:39:09 am

Wow Gayle this demonstrates how we can't presume or put each other into categories just because they have reached a certain age. It is so inspiring to read how you have so willingly expanded your lifestyle by upsizing, providing space to be able to offer such wonderful services.

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:19:52 am

Exactly right Deidre. We can't - or shouldn't - categorise people because of the age bracket they are currently in. Our bodies are constantly ageing BUT that doesn't mean that our thinking or way of being necessarily is.

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Susan
21/1/2018 05:17:52 pm

I for one am so glad you decided to 'Upsize' Gayle, as I / we may have missed the awesome opportunity it has been for the both of us to to be sharing your beautiful home together. As part of sharing your home with others it has also been of benefit to me as well, to have the shared experience of other guests staying in the house, which I have totally enjoyed and felt it has helped me to be more open. Thank you!

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:14:52 am

Hello Susan.......I never imagined that having a housemate would be so easy or so fun, and it may not have been the case with just anyone. But from the day you moved in, it has been like we were in rhythm, in the kitchen, the laundry, the garage - haha. And you are great about welcoming others into our space. Thank you.

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Annie Mack
22/1/2018 09:26:02 am

My husband Charles and I stay with Gayle on a fairly regular basis and each time we leave so much wiser for the experience. We are so very glad that you decided to up size Gayle! We along with so many others would have missed these golden opportunities if you had decided on a smaller apartment or home.

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:53:42 am

Thanks for the confirmation Annie. Yes, this beautiful and expansive home, expands everyone who stays here.

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Charles
22/1/2018 09:32:12 am

I second Susan's comments! As frequent guests, my wife and I are so glad you have room for us to visit. It is a beautiful experience to share someone else's space and energy. I also feel it is great to be yourself and defy what people think is 'normal', or what you 'should' do.

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:56:03 am

Hi Charles - Yes, there are a lot of beliefs (and myths) about what ageing and the retirement years will look like and how they will feel. We are here to be myth busters!

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Maggie
22/1/2018 09:52:15 am

Gayle; I just love it! We too have upsized, moving from England to North Wales with lots of beautiful views and windows through which we can appreciate them. Our home is now open to anyone who drops by; and it's just wonderful 🌹

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Gayle
22/1/2018 09:57:39 am

Hello Maggi - Maybe we'll start a trend of 'Upsizing'. I love being a pioneer.

PS I'm coming to visit you in 2019!

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Ruth Anderssen
22/1/2018 08:47:51 pm

Expanding and not contracting. . . Gayle you are turning the 'norm' for retirees upside down and inside out! You are providing a beautiful space for many people to visit and share life stories with - I get the sense that your are refiring and not retiring! In making the choice to move to a bigger home, you are ever expanding your relationships with such a wonderful mix of people -- a true example of living in brotherhood.

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Gayle
23/1/2018 06:13:14 am

Yes! REFIRING - not retiring.

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jade pattrick
23/1/2018 06:54:03 am

I love this blog Gayle. I was fortunate enough to share some of your "upsizing" journey. I am also very fortunate to have you in my life, because of your continuing inspirational presence.

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Gayle
24/1/2018 09:55:42 am

Dear Jade, you shared my Upsizing journey from go to whoa! You inspected nearly every house I did. It was sooooo supportive to have the extra set of eyes and ears during the inspections. I will always be grateful to you for your dedication to helping me find my next home. with love, Gayle

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Anne McRitchie
23/1/2018 11:04:34 am

Gayle, your blog should be required reading anyone training to work as a real estate agent. The lesson being don't put your clients into boxes through being too hasty to see them according to stereotypes. Any estate agent who truly cares for their client would listen to each client and treat each as an individual rather than making general assumptions which serve no one.

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Gayle
24/1/2018 09:56:42 am

You are right Anne. Car sales people could also benefit from this same lesson!

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Bernadette Curtin
25/1/2018 05:06:17 am

Gayle what a brilliant inspiration your upsizing is for us all as we age. No doubt there are many ways we can expand our life experiences as we age, and you have shown how making your home about people brings abundance in all its forms.

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Gayle
26/1/2018 01:46:34 pm

Thank you for these beautiful words, Bernie. "Making my home about people brings abundance in all its forms." I'm blessed by friends like you.

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    Gayle Cue loves writing about life, reflecting on every day miracles and pondering on the big picture. 

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