So you’ve retired, but life seems just as full as ever. There is no time to do what you would like, or even think about what you might do. Perhaps nothing has changed for you after retirement except that now you don’t work. All the chores that used to take up your ‘free time’ are still there, and because you have more time, they have expanded to fill it!
You need to de-clutter. Not only physically, but mentally. Let’s start with your possessions. The first thing to understand is: Possessions possess you. The more you own, the more time is taken up in servicing them,
- House. Do you really need to maintain a 4- or more, bedroom home just in case the children want to visit? Plus keeping the garden, garden shed, garage and the rest of the surroundings clean and tidy. Why not visit them?
- Car. No need for a ‘people mover’ any more. Why not a small hatchback or even a 2-seater sports model? Maybe you can do without a car and all that goes with possessing one: license, insurance, depreciation, parking, maintenance, petrol, cleaning, and so on. Try public transport, enjoy the walk to the bus stop or station, and the opportunity to get fit and meet people. If you need a car for a long journey, hire one. If it’s raining when you leave the cinema – take a taxi.
- Do you really need all that old furniture? What about the wood and glass that needs polishing, the carpets that collect dirt, the ornaments that have to be dusted, the valuable crockery inherited from your grandma? And what about all that furniture and other stuff in the garage that you are storing for your children? It’s time for a clear out.
- Do you need to own a boat with all the costs and time involved in keeping it on a mooring, and all the gear in working order? If you would like to go boating, hire one.
- Cancel all those subscriptions to work-related journals.
- And so on. It’s worth carrying out an inventory of all your possessions and commitments, then decide which are essential and what can go.
De-clutter your mind! It’s time to retire from all those committees associated with your work; from the school board – the children are in uni now, or working; from the professional associations; from the Community Watch committee – you are moving to a unit; from the local club board – you rarely go there these days; from the sports committees – you only walk and swim these days, and so on.
The relief after de-cluttering is amazing and the vast amount of free time you will gain can lead to a whole new and exciting life. How about becoming a Grey Nomad for example? Go for it!
Renaissance not Retirement 