Lifestyle

Transformative Downsizing: A Couple’s Journey and Tips for a Simpler Life

Byforwomenmagazine January 22, 2026January 18, 2026

Transformative Downsizing: A Couple’s Journey and Tips for a Simpler Life

Bidding farewell to most of their possessions was a challenging yet life-altering experience for Jacqui Lewis and Arran Russell, who have shared their insights in a new book.

Do Our Possessions Own Us?

Jacqui and Arran embarked on a journey to answer this question when they moved from a large designer rental in Sydney to a cozy cottage in Palm Beach. Their new home was a quarter the size of their previous one, charmingly retro, with a sunny garden and ocean views.

Embracing Meaningful Living

The couple advocates for a life that embraces what’s truly meaningful and lets go of the rest. They gave away or sold almost all their possessions, donating the proceeds to charity. However, the process was not as easy as they thought.

“I had thought this would be a beautiful experience, both cathartic and charitable,” writes Jacqui in their book High Grade Living. “In truth, it was grueling, sweaty, and devastatingly disappointing. No one wanted our things even though we had paid a fortune for them … It was a giant lesson for us in consumerism.”

The Upsides of Downsizing

Despite the challenges, there were upsides. Living without a dishwasher meant discovering the joy of washing dishes in a tiny sink while looking out onto a beautiful garden. There was more time together as a family to lie in the garden or swim in the ocean.

High-Grade Living

The experience is reflected in a chapter of their book, which also covers meditation, creativity, and relationships. The book aims to help those feeling anxious and overwhelmed to become more creative, grounded, and happy. “High-grade living” is about living in alignment with your higher self—discovering and embracing what is truly you and letting go of what is not.

Making Your Home Meaningful

Creating your high-grade home is an ongoing, individual process unique to you. For some, it means absolute minimalism; for others, it means developing a collection of personal and meaningful art, books, and objects. It’s a journey with a deep sense of purpose and alignment with who you are and your values.

Understanding Your Patterns

Take time to think about what is important to you and what drives your purchases. Ask yourself:

What ultimately brings you happiness?
What gives you contentment?
How easy is it for you to embrace simplicity over complexity?
What do your purchases reveal about you?
How does this inform your future choices?

Audit, Edit, and Refine

Our homes are our sanctuaries and should serve as inviting retreats from the outside world. Ask yourself:

How does your home feel when you walk into it?
What ambiance does it offer?
Is it comfortable and inviting, or is it a mess?

To improve your home’s impact on your daily life, begin with an audit, edit, and refine. Assess your surroundings and ask:

What is triggering a materialistic response?
Could you be consuming or hoarding to mask anything?
Are you culling too violently or controlling too much?
Which rooms are inviting and provide calm and tranquility?
Which rooms feel hectic?
What kind of home do you want to have?

Remember, there is no right or wrong kind of home. High-grade living is about creating the home you actually want, allowing your best self to shine through.