Living with less in your 60s

Living with less in your 60s has become a popular lifestyle choice for older people looking for a simpler and more meaningful existence post retirement. The idea is, that by intentionally decluttering your physical and mental spaces, you make room for what really matters in this last third of your life.

In this post I’m going to be talking about my own journey towards living with less in my 60s and exploring the concept of minimalism. I’ll outline the benefits that I’ve found and provide practical tips on how you could try it for yourself.

So, let’s start by defining what I mean when I’m talking about living with less, or minimalism.

The concept of minimalism: Be more with less

First let me just say that minimalism is not about deprivation, or living in a white, empty space. It’s a deliberate choice to focus on what brings genuine joy and purpose to your life. It’s about freeing yourself from unnecessary personal possessions and the mental clutter that goes with them. This then allows you the space to fully appreciate and enjoy the things that really matter to you. 

Unfortunately, we live in a consumerist culture where value and meaning are given to material things. It’s not surprising therefore, that we come to believe that what we own defines our worth. We buy things because they make us feel and look good, and by the time we reach our sixties this can amount to an awful lot of stuff!

The idea of minimalism is that, by learning to live with less and seeking self-worth through internal rather than external validation , you can gain freedom from the constant urge to have more. This creates the room for you to focus on what that really brings us  joy; things like relationships, experiences, knowledge or travel.

Simply put, living with less means removing everything that distracts us and focusing instead on the things we value most.

My journey towards living with less in my 60s

I’ve always been a fan of uncluttered décor and a simple aesthetic. My houses have always been primarily white, with simple modern furniture. Similarly, my wardrobe choices tend towards the classic: simple cut, neutral colours with not a frill in sight. But this was always a minimalist style choice rather than a philosophy.

To be honest I was a bit of a shopaholic, particularly on the clothes front. I never thought I ever had enough clothes. There was always room for one more suit, a must have handbag or a perfect pair of shoes. The only constraint was how much I could cram into my four double wardrobes and chest of drawers. Seasonal overflow was consigned to storage bags under my bed, and I kept on buying. Looking back now, I see that buying stuff felt like my reward for the stress and hard work of my career.

My turning point came when my husband Tim was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. Everything about our life changed, including of course my ridiculous spending habits. Tim obviously had to give up work because of his illness, and I left my career to take care of him. Money was tight! I somehow managed to hold onto our house by the skin of my teeth so that Tim could stay in the place that he knew best. Once he went into a care home though, and it was obvious that he was never going to come back, it was time to stop defying financial gravity and sell up.

Downsizing and living with less

I sold my big four-bedroom house with double garage and moved to a tiny two bed Victorian terrace. It was a really tough thing to go through. We had lived in our house for twenty years, most of my son’s life, and had built up many, many happy memories there. Selling it and moving out felt like yet another huge loss to add to all the others we had already endured. But you do what you have to do, and you move on.

The move forced me to go through a physical decluttering process where I got rid of two thirds of my possessions: furniture, books, clothes, stuff. No question about it, it was hard. My son and I had to choose between items of significant emotional value knowing that Tim would never return to claim any of his things. The hardest thing was the garage. Tim’s ‘man cave’, was stuffed full of motorcycle paraphernalia from his racing days and survey equipment from his career as a land surveyor. Sorting it and getting rid of it was hard, and I have to admit that I cried buckets.

This forced decluttering was my first step towards learning to live with less in my 60s. Yes, it was really painful giving up so many things, but that was mostly from an emotional perspective. From a practical one, I didn’t need any of this stuff. I made sure that I kept all of the things from my past life that really matter to me. I found homes for significant personal items that I had no space for, with friends of Tim’s who would value them for that association.

Four years on from the downsize

It has taken time, but I can now, from a distance, appreciate the benefits of that painful processes. The burden of caring for that big house and all its contents have been lifted, and I feel freer and happier as a result. I’m also glad that we did it before Tim died, so that I didn’t have to deal with both events at the same time. I’ve also realised that living with less in your 60s means that the burden of sorting through masses of stuff when I die, will not now fall to my son. I’ve already done the heavy lifting for him.

Anyway, four years on, here are the benefits that I’ve experienced from living with less stuff: 

The benefits of living with less in your 60s

1. Reduced stress and anxiety

Having a smaller house to maintain and less stuff to worry about has certainly alleviated my stress and anxiety. As an example, no longer having to trim a twelve-foot-high hedge twice a year is definitely a plus.

With fewer possessions to manage, I feel less overwhelmed and can dedicate more time and energy to self-care and personal growth. 

2. Increased freedom and flexibility

Living with less gives me the freedom and flexibility to pursue my dreams and passions, like writing this blog for instance. I’m no longer tied down by stuff, financial burdens, or the need to constantly keep up with the Joneses. 

3. More money

This is a big one. By moving to a smaller house my monthly outgoings are significantly reduced. I pay less for council tax, heating, and maintenance. I also no longer rack up credit card debt buying stuff I neither need nor want. 

4. Less environmental impact

By buying only what I really need I reduce the amount of stuff I throw away to a minimum. 

5. Easier to clean

Hooray! I have less house to clean, less stuff to dust. My time can be spent on better things.

6. Own better quality things 

I no longer buy on impulse. I save up, wait, and buy the thing I really want rather than the one I want and can get right now.

If you are interested in living with less, here are my key tips for giving it a go: –

Practical tips to start living with less in your 60s

Declutter your physical space 

Start by decluttering your physical space. This can be a huge task for those of us in our sixties who have accumulated a lifetime of things, all with associated memories. Assess each item you own and ask yourself if it brings you joy or serves a practical purpose. Donate or sell the items that no longer serve you. This will create more space and a sense of lightness in your home and heart.

Don’t try and do it all at once 

Take your time. Go one step at a time and be patient. It can be really hard to let go of things that have an emotional attachment. I know, I’ve been there. Take your time, keep the best and find a good home for the rest. But, make sure that you don’t chuck everything out and regret it later. Remember, always be true to your values and do what is best for you.

Simplify your commitments 

We often overcommit ourselves, leaving little time for relaxation and self-care. Learn to say “No” to activities and obligations that don’t align with your values or bring you joy. Prioritise your time and energy for the things that really matter to you. Your time is a finite resource, use it well.

Cultivate mindfulness 

Practice mindfulness to appreciate the present moment and avoid mindless consumption. Before making a purchase, consider if the item aligns with your values and if you genuinely need it. By cultivating mindfulness, you consciously make choices that support a minimalist lifestyle.

4 of the best blogs on Minimalism

If this article has made you want to give living with less in your 60s a go, then here are 4 of the best minimalist blogs that will give you more information: –

1. Be More With Less
2. Zen Habits
3. The Minimalists 
4. Becoming Minimalist 

Conclusion

Living with less in your 60s is not about depriving yourself. It’s about consciously choosing what adds value and meaning to your life. By decluttering your physical and mental spaces, you can create an environment that promotes clarity, reduces stress, and increases your freedom. 

Over the past few years, I’ve come a long way on my personal journey, but I’m still very much a work in progress. There are two things that I still buy often and on impulse: books and knitting yarn. The yarn I have made a commitment to stop buying until I’ve used up most of my stash, and the books I’m working on. I get all of my fiction on Kindle now, but still prefer my non-fiction in physical form. I sold 16 big boxes of books to webuybooks when I moved house, but I’m starting to build up my collection again. For me though, books are about learning and growing and that’s something I’m determined to keep doing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. I would love to hear from you in the comments section below.

Sian. X

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