The ORANGE Cone Zone.
- Cindy Murphy
- Jan 6
- 6 min read
Episode #11: Roadblocks. Speed bumps. Detours. Oh my!
This week, the "Living Smaller & Loving It!" blog examines the many roadblocks that can arise during the downsizing process.
Announcements are listed at the bottom of the blog post. Be sure to check them out!
As we know, downsizing does not necessarily mean you are planning to move. Still, it means you are ready to eliminate the excess in your life — thinning out the abundance of stuff and bringing happy order to your environment.
Let's start at the beginning: "Why are you downsizing?" Is it to sort through, pare down, and declutter the excess in your home to make it easier to care for and navigate through? Do you want a new, fresher, updated look for your home? Or perhaps you've found a smaller, more manageable home and now have a tremendous need and desire to pare down.
The path to living a simpler, less complicated life through downsizing may start with the best intentions, but can, without much warning, take a sudden, unexpected turn. Things will inevitably pop up (The Orange Cone Zone) that interrupt your progress, but don't let those interferences derail you; identify the "why" and get back on track as soon as possible. We'll address some of the reasons good intentions go sideways and share solutions to regain control of your situation and begin making progress again.
Here are a few reasons for interrupted progress:
The "why-how" is not clearly defined. Goals are not identified. "This is what I want to accomplish." Clearly stating and setting goals, then incorporating them into a downsizing plan, is KEY. No goals. No plan. No progress. No success. Reminder: goals must be specific, realistic, and attainable, or discouragement and even defeat will creep in and derail everything. Click here for our blog post on Making a Downsizing Plan.
No written plan in place, no roadmap to follow. An effective downsizing plan is a crucial accountability and tracking tool that lists goals, tasks, and completion dates for tasks or phases of the plan. The difficulty lies in finding that honest desire to move forward with an achievable plan to make it happen. Keeping your plan where it can be seen and reviewed daily is also helpful. As tasks are completed, check them OFF and do a happy dance!
Desire lacking; half-heartedness. Back-and-forth, hot-and-cold about intentions and outcomes. If there is no genuine desire to succeed, there simply won't be success. Click here to read our blog about committing to the process.
An overly aggressive time frame. Frustration sets in; simply not enough time allowed to complete everything. Taking on too much and not having a realistic view of tasks. *
Becoming overwhelmed. Working through a narrow window of time and being "behind the eight ball" before you even get started is not a fun situation to be in. *
Self-sabotage. Excuses for not staying on track and allowing outside forces (people, places, and things) to interfere and influence efforts and outcomes.
The Time Squeeze.
*There are many reasons why time squeezes occur, but from our professional experience, the number one reason, besides procrastination, is the fast sale of a house. Closing dates can come quickly, so to avoid the scramble, plan ahead and begin working on tasks like sorting and paring down, and even packing items that will be moving with you. It's the old leg-up advantage that will give you peace of mind when a contract is accepted.
Procrastination.
The second most common enemy of time-stealing is procrastination. Knowing what needs to be done, or should be done, and doing it are two different things. If you know you are a procrastinator, it's all the more reason to allow extra time to complete your downsizing plan. Get creative by coming up with ways to beat this enemy; for example, do the tasks you absolutely dread first to get them out of the way. Be patient with yourself, but not so patient that you put tasks on the back burner and get nothing done.
Additional Tips and Observations:
Downsizing tasks vary in difficulty, so be reasonable about your capabilities and stamina when estimating how long they will take to complete. Be realistic and assign time accordingly.
Ask for help if you need it. There is nothing wrong with asking for help when you need it, whether it comes from a family member, a friend, or a professional. As professionals, we act as coaches and collaborators. We may provide professional advice, but we do not make decisions for our clients; instead, we promote teamwork.
There will be times in the downsizing process when you may become overwhelmed; take a break. Adding a little distance between you and your tasks can keep you from going bonkers and giving up. If your emotions become too much, it's time to stop, take a breath, and maybe talk to someone about what you're experiencing. You are feeling what you're feeling for a reason, so don't ignore your emotions. We have held many hands throughout the years and know how overwhelming the downsizing process can be. Slow things down and take care of yourself, and when you're ready, pick up where you left off.
Sabotaging the downsizing process. This is a tough one to write about because a saboteur (we've worked with a few over the years) will repeatedly disrupt their own progress. Based on our experience, it can be challenging to work with a client like this because they are incredibly skilled at avoidance and at making excuses. It is hard to make consistent progress, and the client often abandons their downsizing attempt. A complete commitment to the process is required.
Outside opinions that interfere. Another challenging situation, but a very real one. An "interferer" can insert themselves at different stages of the client's downsizing process, causing indecision and stress. Typically, a loved one or close friend, this person has an opinion about most everything, and they will make it known to everyone. Handling these situations can be difficult, but it's essential to recognize what's happening and address the interference promptly. Opinions are fine when asked for. Don't hesitate to address the interference to keep progress moving forward.
We know how complicated the downsizing process can be, and no two clients are alike. When working with a client, we encourage and celebrate their progress along the way. Celebrating wins after each major goal is completed is a BIG deal and something to be proud of!
We hope your downsizing experience will be a rewarding one — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Making a plan, allowing enough time to get everything done, asking for help if you need it, celebrating the wins, and taking care of yourself are all elements of success.
Keep in mind: if you're having trouble starting or making progress on your downsizing plan, a consultation may be what you need. Please reach out by phone or email. We'll be happy to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
If you have questions or comments, or would like to share your downsizing story, please contact us via our CONTACT page on the website.
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"Living Smaller & Loving It!"
COMING UP Spring 2026: "Where to live in the Kansas City Metro" will feature a list of independent and assisted living communities. (At last count, there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 110 communities on both sides of the state line.)
For marketing managers: if you would like a feature link to your community, please contact us via the CONTACT page for pricing details. Your link will bring potential new residents to your doorstep!
COMING UP: A downsizing housing poll. We're conducting a poll to determine which types of living environments our readers/subscribers prefer for their retirement years. Here's a "did you know?" There is a relatively new movement among senior women who are co-housing with other senior women. The movement is gaining momentum in different parts of the U.S. Check out their "Senior Women Cohousing" Facebook page.
Poll participation will be greatly appreciated!
COMING UP: A RESOURCES page. This page will feature both not-for-profit and for-profit business resources for seniors. All listings will have direct links to the company's website for immediate contact. If you are a for-profit business and would like more information on listing costs, please use the CONTACT link.
Listed below are some of the for-profit businesses that conduct business with Seniors:
In-Home Health Care
Adult Daycare
Elder Law & Estate Planning
Dentist
Physician
Hearing/Audiology
Optometry/Ophthalmology
Podiatrist
Hospital/Clinic
Housekeeping
Insurance
Transportation
Moving
Personal Chef
Personal Shopper
Veterinarian
Realtor/Real Estate Services
Automotive
Junk Hauler
Home Improvement
Plumber
HVAC
Electrician
Estate Sales/Auction
... and more!
COMING UP: A "Living Smaller & Loving It!" merch store. Early-stage development, but great ideas are surfacing! Please check back...more to come. P.S. No CLUTTER merch offerings!
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STORIES, SNIPPETS, & SHARES
Our newest web page, "Stories, Snippets, & Shares" debuted on Wed, December 3, 2025.
Be sure to check out the page update available on January 7th, which features an interview with a daughter about her recent journey of downsizing her soon-to-be 93-year-old mother from a 2-bedroom independent living apartment to a much smaller assisted living unit.
Shared personal insights for both adult children and their parent(s).
Please like, comment, share, and subscribe; we appreciate your support.
Click here to explore the website, send a message, give us a call, or schedule a free consultation.
Visit and join our Facebook Group: Downsizing Simplified Living Smaller & Loving It! | Facebook
© Living Smaller & Loving It! Downsizing Simplified, 2026
This is comprehensive, easy to understand and follow — most of all, it’s liberating! Cindy is the best at this entire process.
Great advice for shedding the things that no longer serve us!