10. The Burden of “Keeping Up” with Everyone Else
The final item to get rid of isn’t a physical object. It’s a mindset: the pressure to keep up with trends, social expectations, and a schedule that no longer serves you. Retirement is a unique opportunity to shed obligations that drain your energy and to consciously choose how you spend your time and resources. This is the ultimate act of downsizing—decluttering your life itself.
This can manifest in several ways. It might be the collection of expensive, complicated kitchen gadgets you bought because they were trendy, but you’ve never used. It might be subscriptions to magazines you don’t read or streaming services you don’t watch. Take a candid look at your monthly bank statement and cancel the services that aren’t adding real value to your life.
It also applies to your schedule. The pressure to have a bustling social calendar can be exhausting. Psychology offers a concept called social proof, which describes our natural tendency to assume that the actions of others reflect the correct behavior. If it seems like all your peers are constantly busy, traveling, and volunteering, you might feel inadequate if you prefer a quieter life. It’s essential to give yourself permission to say “no.” Your time is your most precious asset. A well-curated life in retirement isn’t about being busy; it’s about being fulfilled.
Letting go of this burden means aligning your life with your own values, not someone else’s. If you love gardening, give yourself more time for that. If you enjoy quiet mornings with a book, protect that time. This phase of life is about authenticity. By getting rid of the external pressures and the “shoulds,” you make space for the things that bring you genuine peace and happiness. It’s the final, and most profound, step in creating a retirement life that is truly your own.
