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[Mominohio]

decided aren't worth the effort any more?

And I mean this in relation to the home.

Do you decorate less? Are you not as picky about housecleaning or maintenance as you once were? Have you reached a place in life where certain things home, decor entertaining etc. wise, just don't hold the same priority (or fun or excitement) that they once did? 

And why?

Physical limitations, time, change of perspective, change of finances, changes in family size or relationships?

I have found that with age, and more limited mobility, I have had to adjust my idea of what is clean, and what is 'clean enough' in some areas of my house and property. Same with the outdoor work. Just don't have it physically to to what I once did, and have had to readjust my definitions a bit.

Also, with kiddo grown up, I don't find quite the joy in holiday preps that I once did, the anticipation and joy are not gone by any means, but diminished somewhat.

Anyone care to share how their priorities have changed in relation to the home over the years?

[hoosieroriginal]

Luckily - in my 60s - I am in pretty good shape.  I have 2 acres of land and this is my busiest time of year because my property is COVERED with trees and the leaves are just beginning to fall.  I don't have a choice - it's me or it doesn't get done.  I feel it keeps me in good shape.  My sister was concerned when she visited and said "how are you going to keep all this up when you get older?"  I said "I don't have a choice - I'll get it done".

Holidays are still so important to me - just me - but I love putting up my tree mid-Nov and leaving it up until end of Dec.  It just makes me happy to see those lights twinkling. 

My mother was a clean freak, but when she got ill she told me "don't waste your life making everything perfect". I'm not  a clean freak, but I like my house to look nice even though I don't have many people coming to my house.  I do it for me. 

[panda1234]

At 59 I am just starting to feel all of the same things you mentioned. Don't know why, wish I did. Makes me kind of sad, but life does change. 

[Winkk]

I have noticed that over the past several years I have cut back on decorating, gardening and shopping.  I still do all that, but not as much.

We have no small children in the family anymore and our family is small.  I decorate for the holidays/seasons but not like I used to.  My gardening has gone from planting a lot of flowers to doing more perennials and only a few pots in the summer.  And for shopping, I just buy what I need in clothing, makeup and home decor. 

There is no particular reason for my cut backs.  I just don't feel it's necessary to go "all out" anymore. 

[cotton4me]

My priorities have changed. I don’t clean as often. If I don’t have the energy I let things ride. My attitude is that a little dust doesn’t hurt anything. Our home is three levels, 3 ½ baths. I sometimes think a one bedroom; one bathroom apartment would be nice. I’m in good health but my energy levels aren’t what they used to be. I would rather spend my limited energy on things I enjoy, like walking outdoors, instead of scrubbing floors. I don’t know how much time I left but I want to enjoy it.

[Marsha2003]

I think I mentioned in another post that we don't display our Christmas village every year.  What I didn't mention is that we have downsized the village, too.  It only takes up three card tables at this point.  Neither of us enjoy it as much as we used to when there were children to ooh and aah at it.

As for house cleaning, I've always worked long hours so while the kitchen and baths stay sparkling, dust runs rampant in the rest of the house.  The windows stay open year-round and I am not going to dust every day.  My mother was a little snarky about it when she would visit until one year when I showed her where the cleaning supplies were and told her to clean whatever made her uncomfortable.  BTW, I've yet to see her wield a dust cloth in my house...lol.

I wish we could tolerate live evergreens in the house because I would love to throw away garlands and wreaths at the end of the season rather than having to store them.  I wonder what people in tiny houses do with their holiday decorations.

[IamMrsG]

Once you reach a certain age in life, injuries become more likely and healing takes longer.  In concession to that thinking, I did something two years ago I didn't think I'd ever do -- I agreed to the purchase of an artificial Christmas tree.  

I have also cut waay back on my seasonal / holiday decorating.  I finally realized when you begin to dread the approach of Christmas, or during the season you hear yourself sigh and say, "I'll be so glad when this is over," you've missed the point.  

[Nightowlz]

I can't tolerate the humidity so I don't like to do outdoor activities including gardening. I leave it all to DH while I clean inside. I'm a clean freak so I don't imagine that's going away any time soon. LOL!!! I clean some of the house on a daily basis. I find it makes it easier to keep it clean. I have over 100 owls. I have boxed them up along with other knick knacks because I got tired of dusting them. I also boxed up lots of family pics for the same reason. I like it simple. I don't have a lot of things sitting all over anymore. I hate clutter. I only decorate at Christmas if we are home. Love not working & being able to go to bed & get up when I want, do what I want when I want etc. It's nice to be able to jump in the car & go to Fl on a moments notice if that's what we choose to do. DH is still working but he can take off any time he wants etc.

[Constance2]

MominOhio, you described me in your original post.  I'm fighting to stay out of a wheelchair because of several spine issues.  I sometimes struggle to just make dinner or do the basics in housekeeping.  In my mind, I'm still 20, but my body is telling me otherwise and I've been gradually forced to admit it.  

I realize that I may never again have a large garden and a spotless house, but since it's just my husband and myself, and the kids and grandkids live far away, few people ever see it anyway.  As long as it's clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy I try not to worry about it.

                                            

[DoneTryin]

Age 67 here.  For Christmas, I put out a set of silverplate bells that late mother gave me over the years, & that's all I do for decorating.  I have also minimized home decorating quite a lot & no longer have little decorative items on tables & shelves, especially candles which are major dust-catchers.  The less dusting & arranging I have to do, the better.  I also cut way back on the quantity of bedding & towels.  I have 3 sets of sheets - one on the bed, one in the linen closet, & one in the laundry.  Don't know why I ever thought I needed a dozen sets for one bed.  Towels, just one set in a color & one set in white.  Just all around less "stuff" to have to wash, fold & store.