The Art of Simplifying Your Life After 60 

I am sixty something, divorced last year after thirty eight years of marriage, and in the act of simplifying and minimalizing my life of material things, certain types of people, and anything which doesn’t serve my positive good. While it takes acts of faith and courage to make major changes in ones life such as these, it is both liberating and freeing, too. Thanks for all you do! ❤️

Loved this. Have always preferred to live simply. Walks. Nature. A few good friends. A comfortable home. Doesn't need to be big. A reliable car. Not fancy. (I love to drive.) A dog. A kayak. A bike. Food to eat. A safe place. A good doctor, mechanic, and dentist. People I love, and who love me. I like my life being simple, and feel very blessed.

I clear the mental clutter - by listening to beautiful background music (have not watched TV in a year) and as the music flows my poetry flows - I never realized how much I enjoyed writing! I worked until 70 as a flight attendant - kids flew away to college mom flew away and joined airline. 70 is the new 60 - blessed to have terrific health (but I research and plant based with occasional salmon) and swim daily. Coming up to year loss my college sweetheart of 53 years. So alone - have grand kids and I do enjoy but I need to create my new self - my own destiny. 2020 the year I will simplify our home - just too much grief to clean out the closets of my love - but I know I must - to make my life simpler. God bless you - you have helped so many of us women navigate through our life stages.

purging and decluttering not only your physical surroundings but the mind keeps me more in balance. I live a simple life, and when I was in my early fifties, began to do away with a lot of the tangible items that I no longer loved. I have no children, and have no need to leave a legacy to anyone. lol I always think about my family having to clean after me when I am gone, and want to make the task as simple as possible. I love what I love, and whatever I don't have an affection for gets a new home. I do tend to worry so much more now than I did even 5 yrs ago. I too travel alone. Things I never would think about beforehand, I now find myself considering when I plan a trip. Some good advice I read once said that 90% of what we worry about never comes to fruition. It really is true, in my life anyway. I have found myself repeating that little mantra over and over at times in my life when I become anxious with worry. Love your colors; so pretty and uplifting, Margaret.

I simplified my life by staying away from people that are drama 24/7. I’m happier

I so enjoyed your dialogue today. I’m 77 now and more and more every day, every week, I realize how insignificant all that stuff I keep in a storage unit is so unnecessary and burdensome. I moved 9 months ago and have yet to find a home I can afford to put all that stuff in. I keep thinking “one day” I’ll have a home of my own,,,,blah, blah, blah. I now that I can do without 75% of what’s in that storage unit and be perfectly fine. I’m happy about that. I’m new to your channel, but since I found you every day I learn something and I am happier. God bless you for who you are, and all that you share with us. BettyGene

Its nearly two years since I gave up a negative friend that I hang on to for over twenty years . I miss her but I feel better that I don't have to put up with her rudeness

In the past several years I have been downsizing stuff and negative people in my life. I still have a way to go on possessions.

What a wonderful video, Margaret. Simplifying and decluttering in a physical sense, I am learning, is such a "lighter," more energized and easier way to live. I have increasingly found this to be true. I believe this applies to the things we tend to keep for nostalgia as well as simple ownership. I think you are correct about limiting such things to those that truly bring beauty into one's life and create an uplifting feeling when you view, touch or experience them in some way. Otherwise, we simply carry around too much "stuff," afraid to give up the things that represent our past(which may be viewed at times as a "better" point in our lives). That can keep us looking backward too often instead of forward. I think you brought up a related but very important sub-topic about deepening worry and simplifying our thought process. I agree that worry and fear of possibly negative outcomes seems to increase with age, probably because of our decreased confidence that we can continue to solve problems as we get significantly older, especially if family numbers and a support system are very limited. I'd love to hear more suggestions on how to approach that. Lastly, though your program is focused on women, I wonder if there isn't a significant number of men, like me, watching your videos. You tap into subjects that are universal to women and men, and I, for one, as someone approaching my 60s, appreciate your candid observations and discussions of various subjects, which I relate to very well. You are providing a very valuable service to an audience that is broader than you may realize. Looking forward to much more!

Margaret - There you go again!! You have the incredible way of talking about subjects that most of us are thinking about. I just purchased a little magnet and I have said this is my new motto: It says....... Live Simply! What you just communicated to us is absolutely what I have been I have been thinking about and striving to accomplish. It seems the more "stuff" I accumulate - even the expensive stuff - the most unsettled and chaotic I feel internally. You have such intelligent "talks" with us and I just want to say "thank you" over and over again to what you are doing here. You are truly a Godsend! And....Love the beautiful necklace!! You look lovely! :-) God Bless You, Margaret!

Human interaction over material things every time! ❤️. Sandra

I am beginning my journey to simplicity. I am ending my homeschooling journey of 26 years. My youngest child will graduate in 8 short weeks. My passion is first serving God through leading a Celebrate Recovery Group and within my church, my family, and art. I am in the process of changing my homeschool room to an art/craft room. So many memories are in his little room. I am trying to keep this room simple yet well supplied with art material I use. My adult children often join me in painting sessions and crafting. Here’s to a simpler life, with new opportunities. This year I turn 60.......and hopefully my husband is retiring!

from a mid30's millennial....thank you so much for your bravery in sharing, wisdom, and helping us younger generations with advice...... 😌💯

You are an inspiration to me. Thank you for being here.

I am working on simplicity more and more. As I declutter I feel more and more at peace. Loved your explanation of anxiety increasing because we know what will happen in the future to a greater extent than when we were younger. So true. Thank you for this reminder.

Thank you for this topic. I’ve been giving away items to people that I’ve treasured over the years. In conversations when people mention things that they’re interested in, I do a mental note...then at some point, surprise that person with my gift. They are usually very surprised but then I am just simplifying my life and gifting this person which in turn makes me feel good that one of my treasures is going to a good home. A friend once told me, for every new item I buy, to get rid of one thing I don’t want or need. I also read many years ago that “If you keep your life and your home simple, there’s more time to do what you want.”

Thanks for reminding me to keep simplicity in the forefront of my life. I did a major spurt of downsizing then have slacked off. Your talk motivated me by giving reasons to simplifying.

Thanks, Margaret. My dear husband died three and a half months ago, my mother died last June. I am moving back into the house I grew up in. Your video comes at a great time for me. I have been getting rid of a lot of "stuff" that we didn't really need. A year ago I was told we'd move to Assisted Living. I have been trying to simplify my life in many areas.

I'm still in my 40's so technically not yet a part of your target demographic, yet the information and encouragement you provide are useful for a woman at any life stage and I'm so glad your channel showed up in my feed!

I am in the process of downsizing now. I am 65, feel 35, ha. Time keeps MARCHING on I think we as adults should take care of theDr things and bot leave them for our children. I enjoy 60 and me so much!! My mom passed away in Dec.2017 and we have many things to care for or give away!! Everyone have a great day!! XOXO

Thank you so much for this video. I am 60 and slowly downsizing and trying to simplify my life in terms of stuff; I don’t want all this stuff anymore and also in terms of stuff going on in my mind. I appreciate the encouragement and the positivity and advice on how we view this. Thank you, thank you!

Your necklace and room decor are fantastic! Beautiful and fun!

Great realization about worrying more because we know what can happen! I’m a serious worrier and would love to let some of that go along with clutter and physical possessions.

I’m 51, and think about this to. I love your video.I dont`t want my kids to take over all the stuff after me. I have simplifying too. Love❤️Jannike from Sweden

Hi. I appreciate your videos. I think you are lovely and a person I can relax and enjoy watching / listening to and learning from. I may not watch you everyday, but am seeing that I tend to enjoy watching several of your videos in one sitting...like on a Saturday morning. Thanks for being the pleasant person you are and for sharing your insights with all of us. I look forward to learning more from you. Dawna

Simplify your life, a lovely thought. I have gradually achieved this.

Thank you Margaret. Love your necklace. I love all your necklaces. My love is earrings. Don't know who will want them after I am gone, but it doesn't matter because they made me happy. The same holds true with my dvd collection and my books. Have hundreds. Most other things I got rid of.

Yesterday I took a day to simply look at the things I have, to appreciate them, take stock of them and remind myself that I have many beautiful and useful things..........and I don’t need anything else!

I try to live by...’ You must do what makes your heart sing’ and it seems to serve me well.

Yes! I loved this topic! Thank you!

Luvly talk, Thank you Margaret!

Simplicity in everything is the best! Thank you.

Hi, thank you so much for your vedios. I've just turned 40 last week and I'm already a year into downsizing and purging unwanted possessions and emotions. Your vedios really help me a lot to stay focused as it's quite a draining activity. But once I've cleared a space, I feel so good about having it empty! What a joy of not having to deal with so many things and simply enjoying simple experiences in life instead. I specially set across time to listen to you . . You are lively and beautiful in every way 🥰

Beautiful video Margaret- I love the little story at the end with the little boy and his car. Part of the beauties of the aging experience has been to be able to take those things in, like you so much that we cry, it touches that spot. I also love this idea which reminds me of your quote: Rule of thumb regarding how long to meditate daily... on regular day for example, we should meditate for 1 hour (just an example for story), on a day where we find ourselves to be really busy, we should meditate for 2 hours :D Thanks MM

M, I loved this message. It is so true! It’s all so true! Definitely where I’m at. Simplifying my life!!!! Today, I won’t talk about the extra eye drops I must do 4X day and gradually taper off for the next month!! I will just do it with a smile on my face remembering “no drama.” ❤️

I learn more each time I watch you here. Simplifying my life has made such a great difference. I have learned to that all things pass if just given time. To smile and let remarks made from others just roll off me. And that that person that says something negative must be having a worse day than I thought I was.

l love your insights on life...You make ordinary living extraordinary. What a pleasure! Thank you.

You can not buy the most important things in life, I knew that very early. Now that I am older I try to remember more and more what is important and what is not. Separate me from many things and let people go who are not good for me. In my old age letting go is a learning process. There is so much negative in this world that scares people, including me. I try to focus on the beautiful things as long as I can. Bad times I've had many. Thanks for sharing Margret and have a nice day. By the way, the Articel by Malcom Devey was very interesting.

I absolutely love your necklace, beautiful.

So true Margaret. I too have simplified my life and downsized from a 5 bedroom, 2 bathroom house to a tiny little cottage. It was hard to downsize but also so liberating. By the way, I have taught many Chin children and your comment about the little boy really resonated with me. Beautiful humble people with a sad history of persecution and suffering. Incredibly resilient and forgiving too. I did not know you could travel there now. Wd love to hear more about your experience of Myanmar and other travels. 🌹🌹

Worry too much? So true. Thanks for bringing this out.

It's not just that we know what is possible given our history. It is also that we know what is coming. All of us ask how we will deal with being sick, weak, unable to self care, how long we can live alone and isolated...

I simplified and enhanced life since I discovered the great university of RU-vid. I haven't turned on the television in months, except for com-casting my favorite listening/viewing videos, like yours. I stopped listening to radio because of the constant and obnoxious commercials years ago. Not being irritated by blaring repetitive commercials, disturbing news and morbid, violent and trashy shows/movies...life is so much more pleasant, productive, entertaining and educational. You are adorable.

I keep waiting for to simple happen. Trying to get my too big house ready to sell, but seems one step forward and two steps back. Have learned so much from you in just a few videos. Thank you for caring.

My life could benefit from more simplicity. The thing that is holding me back is about having the courage to step away from the accumulations of a long life as a collector. I’m no longer a collector, as I’ve lost interest in collecting, however, there’s the matter of the many Quilts I sewed and the hundreds of paintings I’ve painted. Right now they’re stored in my house, displayed on beds and hanging on walls. But back to simplifying my life. For me it’s going to take one major step. I need to move into finding the courage to leave things behind , moving forward into a new way of living.

Thank you! 😊💟Love your hair 'pulled back' ... 👍🏼🌸

Very interesting. I definitely need to simplify my life by calming the thoughts in my head. I'm trying to decide whether to retire or not. I loved my job but it is now a stressful environment due to a difficult boss and an antagonistic co-worker. I'm also a born procrastinator which always makes decision making fraught for me. I've spent the better part of the last 6 months agonising over this decision but after listening to today's topic i think i know what i need to do......

Excellent!

I love the idea of minimalism for the very fact. That it helps me clean easier. Also, idk what to do about family heirlooms iv acquired over the years. They don't serve a purpose for me. But, they from my past on loved ones.

You are such a beautiful lady… inside and out !!! Also, Love your necklace

I think definitely it is a good choice for me to simplify. I am already doing that by once a month I take to the recycling place a box which over the last month or so I have placed dishes and clothing and other things I no longer need or love.

We should try find our selves in A spiritual connection, try see life in humble way. Be real, be kind to you. Not always in material things,but connection with nature, simply things in life,A awesome scent candle,, take up new hobbies. Lots of prayers. Lots of me time not feeling guilty.

Thank you for sharing. This is off the subject of simplifying but I wonder if you have noticed as I have in the groups I belong to how people talk constantly not waiting for a response but just talking. Women don't seem to be able to have a conversation any more but just talk and whoever is loudest has the floor. I miss the art of visiting when people actually listened to each other and were able to contribute. Am I just turning into a fuss pot or have other people experienced this. I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Thank you for the interesting talk 😊

Great ! Good. !!

Hi Margaret , I would like to participate to the conversation with a little joke: - In a famous city in southern Italy, along the sea, with many hotels in front of the beautiful sea, there was a little line of rocks separating the sidewalk and the sea. Every morning a couple of tourist saw this little boy laying on the rocks, enjoying the sun, taking a little bath, diving in the waves and then come to the rock waiting that the warm air dried him. "Why are you here every morning: don't yuo go to school? Don't you go to work?"...."...well.." he answered..... "You can learn something...andthen work...and gain money...be happy... enjoy life.." And the boy answered: "well.... what do you think I'm doing now?"....Dear Margaret, just for laughing!...But..Semplicity!

crazy cool baubles....

Thanks for sharing yourself You are lovely

Brilliant post 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

My life could benefit from simplicity. I am in the process of parting with many family things I have felt obligated to care for and keep. It is hard emotionally to let go although I have decided my family would not expect me to feel this way, somewhat burdened with things. I will keep at it and go forward, thanks for the encouragement.

Yes, I believe simplicity brings a lot of peace in your life. The more you declutter, the more you allow more room for the Angela to bless your life.

Great Video. Thank you for posting.

This was a very helpful video. I decided today to start simplifying, to not shop unless absolutely necessary, aka out of TP! Lol well its hardly ever necessary for me to shop. Today i will use up whatever is here before buying more. Thank you

Good advice!!

Just lovely. Thank you.

Perfect message

Your story reminded me of when I was a Peace Corps Volunteer (1982-84- Yemen) and the boxes and crates the US Embassy threw out was found on the avenue as actual cardboard make shift houses the people used to live in.

Your video about simplifying our lives pushed me to put "pen to paper" and really dig into how I can make a few simple changes and get on board with the whole philosophy that you are referring to. Thank you for taking the time to provide such a quality video.

I always enjoy your videos

I like you. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have seen several of your videos. Keep up the good work.

Thank you

I love your necklace it’s beautiful

Happiness does not to do with materials but the happy family caring and nature, some rich k7ds are having very confused childhood and rough adulthood

Gave up walking on egg shells beside particular in-law for the sake if family peace. My peace means more to me than the collective few. Liberating!

I love the idea, I found it first in a book a few years ago, "L'art de la simplicite" by Dominique Laureau!!!

I have been trying to get rid of things that I don't need and that are cluttering up my life for quite some time now. Downsizing is difficult but I find that it is necessary for me to live out the rest of my life as simply as I can. I am no way near there yet but after moving several times in the last 3 years I am getting there. Thank you for sharing this topic with us today. It has been a great help to me realizing that I need to unclutter my mind as well as my stuff.

Thank you for these wise words. I am currently coming out the other side of a very dark period of my life and I have already been doing many of the things you discuss. I highly recommend it!!!! Separately, what is your accent Margaret? I hear at least two different ones as you talk. Kind wishes 🇬🇧

What is that gorgeous lipstick you're wearing? Brand? Colour? Beautiful!

Margaret could you attach a link to the Facebook Group you mentioned "Simplify Your Life?" I'm seeing my sister being forced to downsize from a 3000sq ft home to a 700sq ft retirement apt after her husband died. As a result I'm determined to get there before I'm forced to, making thoughtful choices while I still can. Id love to add your group to the ones I have out on FB!

I downsized and got rid of a lot of stuff about 6 years ago. We drastically downsized my 101-year-old Dad to a small apartment and I got a mountain of heirlooms now. AND, he was a professional photographer and I have a huge stack of his gorgeous prints. I am grateful for that because my living room walls are so much more beautiful now. My sister's daughters don't really want any of these heirlooms. I have no kids. So at some point, I'll have to sift through it all and decide what makes sense to hang on to. This isn't just stuff I bought. It is stuff like photo albums with pictures back to the 1800's. Maybe I'll make a project of scanning them all. I have a full set of china, sterling trays and serving pieces, candlesticks.... It is a dilemma.

Who painted that????? It beautiful. I want it.

Had a lot of just in case items to throw away!

❤️

Simplicity elevates elegance; elegance awakens grace; grace ushers in peace. But it begins …. with simplicity. Just. Does.

I don't get this simplification after 60? Outside of a computer, I haven't added anything to my life since I was 24. If you count not having a TV it balances out the computer. So I haven't added anything to my life since I was 24.

Why not reduce the need to reduce and simply leave things as they are? Just another thought. 😊

No, i have no interest in downsizing. I am beyond my 60s and have a very full life with work, hobbies and family. I am using what I have. If I had to "downsize", I would not have the items needed for my work and hobbies or even clothes I want to wear. I am still going strong.

Keep it simple don't make a big deal about everything some times. Your own worse enemy let it go mind your business. Only a friend

I love your neckless it beautiful.

My mother manages to turn everything into a potential catastrophe...maybe she had too many in her own life.

the thought of "downsizing" and letting go, just reinforces that I'm about to be gone. It depresses me

I'm 25 but why I'm watching this?