Today, I’m sharing things I stopped doing after 60 to my simplify life and feel more at peace. After I turned 60, I started noticing that some things in my life stopped being important because I realized they hindered my wish to have an uncomplicated life. Old habits, expectations, even routines I followed out of guilt or out of a habit, I started letting go.
And, can I say, letting go feels like freedom. I’m living a simpler, more genuine way of life. Some of my changes may resonate with you and you might come up with your own.
What have you stopped doing since turning 60? Tell us in the comments; I’d like to hear your take on this.
Choosing Solitude: One of the Things I Stopped Doing After 60
I used to say I wanted to get married, mostly because it’s what people expected of me. But the truth is, that I’ve always known I love being alone. I never believed marriage was the key to my happiness, and I didn’t want to work that hard at a relationship.
These days, I’m happily single. It feels like the most authentic choice I could’ve made and the most important of the things I stopped doing after 60.
Has your view of relationships changed over time, too?
small bowl of caramel popcorn, blanket, and TV remote in hand. Ahh.
Letting Go of the Heavy Lifting
I’m happy to let someone younger, taller, and physically stronger handle the heavy lifting. This is because I have nothing to prove and no interest in injuring myself to prove it.
This coming Spring (2026), my plan is to hire TaskRabbit or ask my niece’s teenagers to tackle the mountain of weeds and move bricks during the Spring garden cleanup.
Since we’re both in our 60’s, my sister and I have stopped trying to do it all around the house with cleaning, too. Instead, we’ve adopted a “clean as you go” attitude during the week. We use robotic vacuums for the floors, keep the kitchen and bathroom clean, and simplify meals. And thisway the house is under control by the weekend.
Letting go of unrealistic expectations like “doing it all in one day” is one of the most freeing things I stopped doing after 60. The best part? Our weekends are now free for relaxation.
Ditching the Stress of Weekend Cooking
I love cooking and eating good roasted chicken, but not when I’m trying to relax on the weekend! These days, I’m perfectly happy to toss some chicken nuggets in the oven along with some veggies. This makes for a no fuss, no muss, no guilt meal.
I save the “real cooking” for weekdays when I can put a meal together and either put it in the slow cooker or the oven while I get my day started.
Do you have a favorite easy meal that helps you relax on the weekend? Please share your ideas in the comments wo we can all find new ways to simplify.
I Stopped Living by the Clock After 60
Post-menopause sleep has left me wanting. A strict bedtime doesn’t help if I can’t fall or stay asleep. And so, I gave up trying to wish myself to sleep or force myself to stay in bed when I’m not sleepy.
Now, no matter what time of the night or wee hours of the morning it is, I go to bed when I am sleepy. I also rest during the day when I can and still show up in front of the computer each morning.
If I’m a little tired after morning meetings and writing time, I allow myself to take a short break. The best part? Owning this blog means my boss (which is me) is okay with occasional naps in the afternoon 😉
Do you follow the clock for bedtimes? How do you handle your sleep schedule these days?
Stopping Retail Therapy and Simplified My Life
Years ago, whenever I was bored or stressed, I would head to Target or the mall to have “a look around” and always buy things for either myself (or others) that I thought I would need “sometime soon.” Often, I would find bags of merchandise months later that I hadn’t unpacked.
Now that I’m over 60 and living on a fixed income, I shop with intention. I stopped shopping out of boredom and stress, and in that way freed up physical space and gave me peace of mind.
This is one of the most substantial of the things I stopped doing after 60. And while we will not discuss the coping mechanisms behind “retail therapy” within the scope of this post, suffice it to say, I don’t shop to lower my stress levels any longer. This blog is a “no judgement” zone. If you care to share your thoughts please keep them kind, respectful, and helpful. Any comments that don’t fit those criteria will be deleted.
The Power of “NO”: Another Thing I Stopped Doing After 60
Now that I’m over 60, I’ve learned that saying “yes” to everything means saying “no” to myself.
For me, if something isn’t 100% yes, then it’s no. The mind shift has helped me protect my time, my peace, and my energy. I believe that “no” is a complete and kind sentence.
Plus, saying “no” means I’m not angry at myself for saying yes in the first place. Better yet, I don’t resent the person who asked me to do something I don’t want to do. It shows respect for others and me while setting boundaries.
Have you struggled to say no? Please tell us how learning to say no has changed your life.
Protecting My Energy
Phone calls wear me out. After I turned 60, I stopped all the unnecessary phone calls that caused me stress.
Now, I talk only to my brother, nieces and nephews, a couple of friends, and a few cousins. Even then, it’s a struggle. If you want to reach me, group meetups or FaceTime are not the way. Please don’t make me. 😅
Text me or email me, and I’ll connect with you in that way.
This one might just be a “JoAnn thing,” but I don’t think I’m alone here. Admitting this feels honest and respectful to myself.
How do you prefer to stay connected with family and friends these days? Please tell us in the comments.
Final Thoughts About these 7 Things I Stopped Doing After 60
Life after 60 allows us the freedom to stop doing things we used to do. We’re allowed to set boundaries, change the rules, and start new traditions. These days I enjoy Sunday chicken nuggets instead of roast chicken.
I’ve shared a few things I stopped doing after 60 to simplify life, and now I want to know what you have stopped doing after 60 to simplify yours?
Please share your thoughts and ideas with the community in the comments. Thanks for your time.
Choose kindness for others and especially for yourself, you deserve it.
JoAnn
Please read: Life After 60: A New and Fresh Series