Community Chat

[Puzzle Piece]

Thanks to all.  Guess moving away from my other house into a city with many retirees has me living life differently.  I do volunteer work when I can and stay abreast of things at my fellowship center.  

I just don't want things like I did in the past.  Had to clean out the in-aws affects and tht was a doozey.  I won't burden others with my stuff when I'm gone. Never ever did I think I'd have this outlook or attitude.   

[SilleeMee]

As I grow older my interests are shifting away from the material world. What I find more important are things I can do to improve my health, for instance eating healthy, staying fit and being safe in my environment. How you feel on the inside will be reflected in how you look on the outside.

[Kalli]

@Puzzle Piece I feel the same. Never was a big fan of 

designer clothes or expensive handbags but I always loved nice jewelry especially the one-of-a-kind creations of the town goldsmith. Now in my retirement I find I seldom wear any of it. Weather permitting I go trailriding with my friends. 

I agree with those who've said that their lives have changed. I finally have the time to do whatever I want and I choose to dress comfortably and to spend my time outside with my animals. 

[Carmie]

I recently read a piece written by a woman in her 60's.

Her words really got to me...so true.

She wrote how freeing is has been to be older.  Men don't bother her anymore, she doesn't have to impress anyone or dress and wear make-up to fit in.

She can finally be herself and not worry about how others see her. 

I feel the same way.  I too have stopped buying jewelry, handbags and clothing just because I wanted it.

I realized those items don't really bring me any happiness.  I am still working on clearing out material stuff and I refuse to buy things that aren't really needed.

I never thought I'd feel this way, but I do.  Maybe it's part of growing up and being mature.  I doubt it is hormone related.

I wish I felt this way 30 years ago.

[Goodie2shoes]

Great Post ! made me think about how much "stuff" I really need. I use to travel, go to big gatherings/parties a few years ago before covid but most of the time now my big outing is to church every Sunday which I do enjoy. My closet is full and tops are double hung and I've run out of hangers. My expensive handbags are packed away and I only carry a small crossbody (Baggalini or INKWIP)  because they have the RFID protected card slots and I just don't carry much other than hand sanitizer, hand lotion. insurance card, drivers license and a credit card or 2. I've been retired since 2016 so I really don't need so many clothes. I've already given a lot of clothes to Goodwill and I have found some new places to make donations because something has to go. Just no more room and I have to start thinking less is better at this stage of my life. I will say this though, I am a skin care junkie so I have just about every Sunday Riley skin care product and use them daily. I get many compliments on my skin and have heard that I don't look 73 so I do enjoy those compliments

[Queen of shop]

@Puzzle Piece  If you can, google "Swedish Death Cleaning". It's an interesting concept to me that people in Sweden purposely start purging at 65-ish. Makes sense. Maybe, that is what you are going through and feeling. I dunno. Just something to think about.

I know I talk here a lot about my dear mom who almost lived to 100. Till the day she passed she was wearing makeup, all her lovely bright color clothes, getting her nails done and monthly haircuts. She loved using her good china and crystal too. She really enjoyed her "stuff". Go figure. LOL. I guess everyone is different. But I will say that I don't think it is hormonal.

Best Wishes

[jlkz]

@Kachina624 

You said it succinctly and elegantly.

Just a few minutes ago, showed DH the 50th birthday gift he had given me: an 18k gold Etruscan-design necklace.  I told him I am either selling it for scrap gold or having a simple bracelet made from the carved squares.

Facing 79, I really don't need it and wore it only a few times.  It would be perfect for a TV news anchorwoman !

Over time, I have given away more clothes and jewelry...and each time, it feels freeing !

Times change; circumstances change, so why wouldn't I: it is natural / normal and definitely not hormonal.

[wagirl]

I just don't need all that much anymore---just the stage of life I am in, I think. Plus things are so stupid expensive too. Maybe your stress hormone has settled  down??? My main volcanic level of stress has been gone for 1 1/2 years now---was divorced in March of 2021. It''s been great!!! Stress is a nasty beast. Used to stress shop all the time--now--not so much 

[CANDLEQUEEN]

I think its quite natural. My sister who is retired and older than I am was just saying how she isn't interested in shopping and buying that much anymore-she is 74.

She said when you are retired you lead a different lifestyle, or at least she does, and its very casual and she has enough clothes, shoes and purses.

She has never been into makeup, so that isn't an issue, but she also isn't htat interested in buying things for her home, unless its a necessity.

At first I thought she must be depressed, but I just think its that stage of life for her, and that is probably what it is for you as well.   

[Jk9]

I agree with others that we are in a different stage of life now and things change.  i was thinking about this recently as I was going through some jewelry and seeing what I tend to wear now.  I was in a conservative work setting that required a certain level of dressing in addition to your work performance.  

I think we also realize that we are at a different age and deal with different life issues.  We think more about health and living than working and how we look.  So changing how you look at material things is just part of aging to me.  We just evolve throughout our lives.