Starting Over in Your 60s? Top 10 Things to Declutter from Your Life Now

By Rita Wilkins
The Downsizing Designer

Have you ever had to or chosen to start over in your life?

At what point did you realize you wanted to or needed to start over?

How did you do it?

I would love to hear your stories. Email me at ritawilkins@ritawilkins.com if you care to share it with me.

I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of starting over and getting a fresh start because, in some ways, it’s like reinventing or redesigning your life to the way you want it to be and to the way it fits your lifestyle right now.

For those of you who know my story, I’ve reinvented myself and my business multiple times. Sometimes because I had to, sometimes because I wanted to.

When I downsized and became known as the “Downsizing Designer” … I wanted to declutter and downsize. I chose to let go of 95% of my stuff so I could live a simpler life with less.

But there were other times I had to start over. When I got a divorce and became a single mom.

I had to find a new home for my two teenage boys.I had to change my business model to earn a larger income.I had to build a new life for my boys and myself.

Starting over isn’t easy. As a matter of fact, it’s hard and it’s scary because there are so many unknowns with no guarantees. 

But on the other hand, it can be exciting!

It’s an opportunity to ask yourself:

What do you want, what you don’t want?What’s working, what’s no longer working for you right now?What’s most important to you at this stage of your life?

Face it. Life changes and as life changes so must we.

Why do people HAVE to start over?1. Death of a spouse.

Someone you have been with for many years dies. You’re lost, alone, and afraid.

You’re forced to rebuild your life.

2. Health issues and aging.

You’re getting older and starting to have health issues and perhaps cognitive issues. You are concerned about staying in the big house for safety and mobility issues. You’re forced to move to a one-story home or senior living.

3. Loss of your job.

You’re forced to rethink your finances. Do you move and find a smaller home that’s more affordable?

These are examples of people having to start over due to circumstances and events that occurred in their lives. 

But sometimes, people CHOOSE to start over because they want something new, something better, something that fits their lifestyle right now.

Why do people choose to start over in life?1. Empty nest

The kids are gone and the house seems way too big. Perhaps you want to travel, explore, and lead a simpler life.

You choose to downsize and declutter so you can have more freedom… a life with more flexibility and mobility.

2. Retirement

After leaving a lifetime career, you might feel lost, out of sync, and you’ve lost your identity. You’re looking for new meaning, purpose, and fulfillment.

You might choose to start a new business or move closer to your grandkids and your children. You might choose to downsize and declutter to give yourself the freedom you haven’t known in many years.

3. Career changes

You might feel trapped and stuck in a job that you can no longer stand. You might be burnt out and lost the excitement and enthusiasm for a job you once loved.

You finally realize that you need a new beginning so you might start a new business that you’ve been thinking of for years, one that will give you the fresh start and excitement that you’ve been looking for.

These are all examples of how life circumstances and life stages can make you choose to start over in life.

When starting over, there are 10 things you should consider decluttering or letting go of first so you can successfully start anew1. Feeling of past failures.

Put thoughts of failure behind you. Instead, look forward to the new life you are creating for yourself.

2. Blame.

Blaming others get you nowhere. The only person responsible for your past… or your future, is you!

3. Victimhood.

By taking responsibility for yourself and your future, you are empowered. Victims give their power to others.

4. Toxic naysayers.

Say goodbye to anyone in your life who brings you down and tells you “you can’t.”

Instead, surround yourself with people who care about you and your success. They support you during good times in bed.

5.  No boundaries.

Learn to say “no” and mean it.

Create boundaries.

6. Can’t do attitude.

If you want a new life, you need a can-do attitude. Without it, you’ll go nowhere.

7. It’s too hard.

Reframe your thinking to say “yes” it might be hard, but it will be worth it!

8. Guilt.

Forgive yourself and let go of anything you might have done in the past that holds you back. This is the only way you can move forward.

9. Destructive habits.

Let go of habits that don’t serve you and prevent you from having the life you want i.e. procrastination and perfectionism.

10. Let go of anything that no longer serves you

Have clarity about your values, who you are, and what you want, and then go for it!

If you are at a CROSSROADS in your life…

If you are wondering, if it’s time to start over in life… you’re not alone.

We all go through different seasons and circumstances in our lives that force us to adjust, change and start anew.

“The only way out of it is to go through it.”

Whatever your decision, we only get one life and we get to choose how we will respond.

For sure it might be easier to stay exactly where you are right now, but at what cost to your happiness? Starting over is an opportunity to learn, grow, and to live your best life now. 

Life can be challenging. 

Change is hard.

“It’s OK to not know exactly where it’s going.”

It takes courage, strength, resiliency, and resolve to make big changes and to get out of your comfort zone, but won’t it be great to look back and say… “I’m so glad I took the chance to start over”!

Maybe you’ll even laugh at yourself, saying, why didn’t I do it sooner? 

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