The art of letting go: Essential steps to prepare for retirement
The period of retirement is a life stage commonly associated with big changes, new beginnings, and a sense of ‘letting go’.
Carl Jung, the psychiatrist and psychoanalyst who founded analytical psychology, famously explored and questioned ‘the two halves of life’. From his research emerged a notion that the first half of life is about acquiring and building, while the second half is about letting go and finding liberation.
So, what are you letting go of in your retirement years?
We’ve explored the different steps you may encounter as you begin your next chapter:
Decluttering your home
Decluttering is a big exercise in letting go, as you reassess what possessions are essential for your home and happiness in retirement. More than helping you minimise the belongings you’ll need to transport to your new home, it’s also an emotional exercise that encourages you to reminisce on the special moments enjoyed over the years.
Rather than waiting until spring to tackle this job as one of your ‘spring cleaning’ tasks, starting your decluttering process sooner is always a great idea. Reassessing your needs throughout the seasons as you prepare to embark on your downsizing or retirement journey will not only provide you with more time to dedicate to this task, but also reduce the stress of attempting to complete it in one go.
The key to a successful declutter is finding the method that works best for you. Whether you like the Marie Kondo style that encourages you to keep only the items that ‘spark joy’, or hands-on support from the downsizing and decluttering experts at Classic Moves, finding the approach that suits you best can help to turn this exercise from overwhelming to empowering.
For more information on decluttering, read our blogs:
Selling your home
Saying goodbye to your family home is another exercise in letting go both physically and emotionally. People choose to sell their current home and downsize to an apartment, smaller home or retirement village for a variety of reasons. There are so many benefits associated with eliminating the stress of home and garden maintenance and embracing a future-proof home that remains functional and comfortable as you age.
Letting go of the family home allows you to create a living space that suits your current needs and lifestyle, so you can spend more time living the life you love, embarking on new adventures, or making the most of luxurious amenities, like those on offer at Applewood.
Letting go of old routines and mentalities
It can be easy to hold on to the habits and mindsets of our past – after all, it’s likely we’ve lived most of our lives by them. But as you approach this new chapter in life, it’s important to let go of the things that no longer serve you.
For some, this could mean finding a renewed sense of purpose or accomplishment, especially if their main purpose in life has been linked to their work. For others, it could mean finding new ways to feel fulfilled and nourished now that they have more free time on their hands, or embracing change rather than resisting it.
In the words of Carl Jung, “One cannot live the afternoon of life according to the program of life’s morning; for what was great in the morning will be of little importance in the evening, and what in the morning was true will at evening become a lie.”
Embracing freedom
Letting go allows you to make room for new opportunities, growth, experiences, and adventures. By decluttering, selling the family home, and releasing old habits and mindsets, you can create a retirement journey that is lighter, more fulfilling and true to your needs and desires.
At Applewood, we’ve noticed that our residents feel empowered and excited by all the things they gain by moving to our village, viewing the act of ‘letting go’ a liberating experience, rather than one of loss.
We’re big advocates for embracing the freedom and possibilities that retirement villages offer, and we’d love to share them with you. If you’re ready to take the first step, or the next step in your downsizing journey, chat with us or book in a tour at (03) 8848 1111.