Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Bali
Just before I retired in 2011 I sold almost everything I owned. It wasn’t because money was tight, but because I wanted to spend my life as an adventure, traveling the world, pursuing my passions of writing and photography and most of the things I owned weren’t going to fit into that lifestyle. I didn’t intend to become a “minimalist”, but I wanted to make the most of my retirement and as it turns out, a frugal retirement was the best thing that would make things work smoothly.
[pullquote]I didn’t intend to become a “minimalist”, but I wanted to make the most of my retirement and it was the best thing that would make things work smoothly.[/pullquote]
Like most people in the western world, I had spent most of my life as a blindly accumulating happy baby boomer consumer, so getting rid of almost everything was not a casual decision. I had accumulated a lot of things over the years, but I knew experiences, being creative and relationships were things that brought me true happiness; not my stuff. Yes, I could have put everything in storage, but the real problem was that at the age of fifty I had outgrown most of my possessions. The thought of a retirement filled with a lot of stuff, but a finite amount of adventures and experiences, brought me fear.
Even though it seemed like a pretty radical idea, clearly it would be better to just get rid of everything that didn’t fit into my new life, including my house. I didn’t relish the thought of overseas calls with renters and maintenance people about clogged drains and broken sprinkler systems. Even though I had carried sealed boxes of stuff from previous moves several times before, I didn’t see the point of kicking the can further down the road again either. Most of my everyday things were nice, but they didn’t fit with the adventurous vagabond lifestyle I was planning for myself.
Yee Peng Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Still, to be honest, getting rid of it all was difficult at first. After all, these were things that I had actively chosen to be in my life at one point. Even though many of them had lost much of their utility and the thrill of acquisition was long past, it was still an emotional process. For some reason, we are hardwired to believe that more is better, even if “more” is an impediment to your freedom and your happiness. Because I was determined that my retirement years were going to be rich ones filled with wondrous things, I was also determined to clean out: Even if it hurt a little bit at first.
[pullquote]Still to be honest, getting rid of it all was difficult at first.[/pullquote]
I started with the storeroom and the sealed boxes. There were old computers, outdated stereo systems (that I wasn’t sure even worked) and clothes that may have been in style a decade or two earlier. Getting rid of that stuff was easiest and I simply took most of it to some charity boxes. The sealed boxes were filled with things that for the most part I intended to break out again one day, but had forgotten even existed. After getting reacquainted with these things this was a bit harder, but I reasoned that since I didn’t miss them while I had forgotten them, why keep them now?
View from First Retirement Home in Xcalak, Mexico
Soon I moved on to getting rid of the things I was using at the time, but didn’t fit into my new life; spare room furniture, wall hangings, kitchen things, work clothes, garden tools, hardware, etc., etc. One exercise that I used to remove the “sting” was to ask myself, “what would be thrown in the dumpster by the people tasked with cleaning up my estate if I were to die tomorrow?” Unfortunately there a lot of things that fit that category and that made it easier. (I just recently read this article that confirms the decision) Soon, because almost everything was gone, I was eating microwave meals off of paper plates. Because I knew I was starting an exciting new chapter of life, unburdened by my former excess it felt strange and wonderful at the same time.
[pullquote]I was under the delusion that what I owned was far more valuable than it actually was[/pullquote]
Many things were sold, many things were given away and many things were trashed or recycled. Even though I was being brutal in my clearing out there were a few things – special gifts, things my son had made, old pictures and small reminders of my parents and grandparents – that I couldn’t bring myself to get rid of and they are still stored in a small box at a relatives house. I wasn’t trying to erase the past, just reject the fraudulent notion that happiness in retirement comes from surrounding yourself with all the stuff accumulated over the years.
Prayer Flags in Bhutan
Making the decision to sell almost everything brings you face to face with what the value of your things truly is and I was under the delusion that what I owned was far more valuable than it actually was. Even though I had a house full of nice furniture, a kitchen full of high end appliances and wardrobes full of clothes, it would have only taken a few years of depreciation and storage fees to make keeping those things a financial loss. (I have talked to a number of people that have had loved ones pass and after talking with an estate agent they found the value of their loved ones possessions wouldn’t even cover the expense of moving things from their house.)
[pullquote]I know this isn’t for everyone, but giving up everything has gained me the world.[/pullquote]
In the end I did keep a few things and as my interests have evolved I have purchased others. Because photography is one of my passions I keep my cameras and photographic equipment up to date. Now that I am starting to experiment with video I recently bought a new computer that can handle those extra demands. Last autumn I even bought a drone that I use to make aerial photographs and videos. Clothes wear out, things break and sometimes I even buy myself a treat, but I now have a different relationship with “stuff” and ask myself some hard questions before I buy more. I am not against having things — quite the contrary, but I am an advocate of mindfully having things in your life that serve a purpose and make it better.
Machu Picchu
I know minimalism can be defined in many ways and I have just found the one that works for me. I am not even sure I am happy with the term “minimalism”. Having too much distracts and drains energy away from things that matter and I don’t feel deprived in any way. In fact having less to maintain and worry about has brought me more freedom than ever. There is less clutter in my life and an unintentional consequence is that I have more money to spend on things and experiences that matter to me.
My attitude is that minimalism isn’t about scraping by with less; it is about mindfully only allowing things into your life that add value. I know this isn’t for everyone, but giving up everything has gained me the world.
I think fate stuck this article at the top of my FB timeline. I’m 62 days from starting my adventure. This past weekend was spent going item by item through possessions that I’ve held onto for the majority of my life. This is about the fourth time that I’ve narrowed things down so each time it gets harder. Your article sums it up perfectly. It’s unbelievably difficult and yet with every box set aside for the thrift store, family or the trash….I felt lighter, less burdened and more at ease with being able to just go enjoy life and not worry about things left behind. Brilliant article, thank you!
Thanks Melissa! I think as more people discover the “luxury of little” the more they will embrace it.
As I approach 50, I have been planning my Life Part 2 adventure each day and in small incremental steps for some time. Your articles are an inspiration to those wishing to follow a similar life path. I wanted to comment on how you gaged the worth of possessions and a recent real life experience. Your question , “what would be thrown in the dumpster by the people tasked with cleaning up my estate if I were to die tomorrow?” is something happened to a close acquaintance of mine with no kin where I was tasked with deciding the disposition of a lifetime of possessions. It started with a few small boxes of things that “friends” may want, followed by an estate sale, and finally a large commercial dumpster delivery. It was a sad process but one that reinforced my feeling that most material items, in the end, mean little. I’m laying my own groundwork, and although not as close as you or Melissa (I’m jealous), I’m on my way and living by the inspirational quote, “we travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.”
Thank you Gary. There hasn’t been a day since I began this adventure that I have regretted living with less stuff. In fact it has been so freeing that I can’t imagine going back the other way. I have heard so many stories about how most estates finish with a dumpster. It is all about right sizing your life.
Six years ago my mother died and we had to empty het house. It let me think about my own stuff. Why not start to empty my own house bit by bit? What about my 25 year old dream to travel by camper? Do we need to be over 50 years to see what live is about and feel that stuff is a burden in stead of a blessing. I have sold my car a few months ago, what a relieve!
I want to write a lot after reading this blog! I will say only: every word you wrote strikes me. For some years I ” felt” I would retire when I’m 55. I’m now 55 and one month. It’s about time to leave. 🙂
Thank you Adrie. Everyone should choose their own path. I know the way I am living isn’t for all of us, but I truly feel like I am living my dream. Of course everything isn’t perfect, but I think that would be a bit boring as well. Good luck and let me know how it is going!
I’m 33 and I’m slowly getting rid of stuffs. Nothing is too late to start of and I’m glad I’ve realised how much burden we are putting on ourself with all the possessions we owned or to be exact “being owned”. And guess what i kind of feel like I’m half retired now! 🙂 Have never felt so free and full of life!
So thankful I stumbled on your story from marketwatch. I plan on retiring the end of this year to take care of my Mom in the Philippines, turning 55 this summer. The hardest part is getting rid of the stuff I’ve accumulated for the last 22 years with 4 children. I have been procastinating since my youngest left for college 2 years ago. After reading your post and people’s comments, this really inspires me.
Hi Carm,
Intentionally living with less stuff has greatly simplified my life and opened up so many more possibilities. Everyone has different thresholds of how much to own, but there is satisfaction in “right-sizing” your life.
Thank you Wayne! I love the life. Thailand offers a lot. I spent a little over a year there. Be sure and travel beyond your base and meet a lot of people.
Hi, I retired in September after 30 years, 7 at MCI, and 23 @ C90. I fled to SW FL and am in the process of selling my home in IL. I just found your site and will be following along while I experience my own life part next. I figure I’m on really on part 3 or 4. All a state of mind. I’ve never had the travel bug. I find other things. I’ve always enjoyed sailing so I found one of the best places to do it and get out a couple times a week. I’m also into photography and have countless subjects both flora and fauna available. Although our dreams may differ, we are both very lucky to be able to live them. I feel that we earned the right to do so. I don’t know what facilities you worked at, but it sounds like you got out ASAP. I had to get my daughter through college and then bailed. 30 years was 5 years too much. Now I’m relaxing and decompressing while I decide what to do next.
Good luck, live your dream!
Hi Jonathan! I just discovered your site…and I love this article. After divorce, I purged most of my “stuff” and, boy, did it feel great. The house was sold and I now live in a small apartment, sans clutter and “stuff”. It feels great! So freeing! I’m hoping one day soon I’ll be in the position you are where I can travel the world. In the meantime, I travel from time to time and relish new experiences and relationships more than the material…and lead a very happy and fulfilling life. I look forward to reading more from you…