You almost didn't notice it at first. Your parent's yard, the one they always kept meticulous, has weeds creeping through the flower beds. The bird feeders are empty. Inside, the laundry hamper is overflowing, and there's a faint smell coming from a casserole dish that's been sitting on the counter a little too long.
Maybe you've been a gardener for forty years. Maybe you picked up watercolors after retirement and can't imagine a week without them. Or maybe your idea of a perfect afternoon is a spirited game of bridge followed by dinner with friends.
Let's be honest: nobody teaches you how to do this. You can find advice on packing for a vacation or organizing a kitchen renovation, but condensing a full household into a cozy apartment or cottage? That's a different kind of challenge, and it can feel overwhelming even when you know the move is the right one.