8 Things To STOP DOING After 60 (& Have MORE FUN)

Life after 60 represents a profound shift in priorities, perspectives, and possibilities. This stage of life offers a unique opportunity to shed longtime habits and behaviors that no longer serve your best interests. Drawing from extensive research and real-world wisdom, this guide explores essential changes that can transform your golden years into truly golden moments.

1. Embracing Financial Freedom

Stop saving obsessively. Yes, you read that right. Those decades of pinching pennies? They’ve served their purpose. But here’s the thing – many retirees, paralyzed by ingrained habits, hoard wealth until it’s too late to enjoy it. A recent study shocked financial advisors: most retirees die with more money than they had at retirement. Let that sink in.

Smart spending doesn’t mean reckless abandonment of financial wisdom. Instead, think of it as strategic liberation. Work with a financial advisor to calculate your “safe spending rate.” You might discover a surprising truth: you can afford more joy than you permit yourself to experience. Some retirees learn they could spend twice their current rate without endangering their future. Imagine the possibilities.

2. The Joy-Centered Spending Revolution

Money can’t buy happiness. What a cliché. Yet behavioral economics tells a more nuanced story. Think about your last five major purchases. Now, quick – which ones still bring a smile to your face? Research reveals a fascinating pattern: experiences create lasting joy, while material possessions often disappoint.

Try this experiment. Track every discretionary purchase for a month. Rate each on two scales: immediate pleasure and lasting satisfaction. The results might surprise you. That expensive gadget? Probably gathering dust. But that spontaneous lunch with an old friend? Golden memories. The math is simple: invest in moments, not things.

3. Authenticity

Pretending exhausts the soul. After six decades of wearing social masks, isn’t it time to let your true self shine? It’s not about being rude or inconsiderate. It’s about honoring your genuine preferences, passions, and perspectives.

Some folks discover their authentic voice at 20. Lucky them. But here’s a secret: authenticity aged like fine wine tastes sweeter. You’ve earned every gray hair, every laugh line, every bit of wisdom. Use them. When someone pushes you to conform, remember this: their opinion of you is none of your business.

4. Power of Self-Compassion

“Not good enough.” “Should have done better.” “Too old for that.” Sound familiar? Time to silence that inner critic. Research drops a bombshell: positive self-perception can add 7.5 years to your life expectancy. Think about that. Your internal dialogue literally shapes your lifespan.

Self-compassion isn’t self-indulgence. Picture treating yourself like your best friend. Would you berate them for minor mistakes? Mock their dreams? Of course not. Extend that same grace to yourself. Start small. Catch negative self-talk. Replace it with understanding. Watch how this simple shift transforms your daily experience.

5. Freedom from Worry

Worry. The silent joy thief. Science confirms what we’ve suspected: chronic anxiety accelerates aging at a cellular level. But here’s the good news – your brain remains remarkably plastic. Even lifelong worry habits can change. Try this: mindfulness meditation. Just ten minutes daily reduces anxiety by up to 40% in older adults. Skeptical? Start smaller. Take three deep breaths whenever worry strikes. Walk in nature. Garden. Dance. Movement interrupts anxiety’s grip. Your body knows how to find peace. Trust it.

6. Redefining Family Support

Parents spend $500 billion annually supporting adult children. Twice what they invest in their own retirement. Love shouldn’t empty your bank account. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Supporting adult children feels natural. Necessary, even. But consider this: by securing your own future, you’re actually giving them a precious gift – freedom from future caregiving burdens. Set clear boundaries. Offer wisdom instead of wallet. Your children are more capable than you (or they) might think.

7. Health Investment Imperative

Health is wealth. Another cliché? Perhaps. But at sixty-plus, it becomes a stark reality. Small choices compound dramatically. That daily walk? It could mean years of independence. Those vegetables you’ve been avoiding? Brain food.

Create your personal health manifesto. Start with sleep – nature’s miracle drug. Add movement that brings joy, not dread. Choose foods that energize. Connect with friends – social ties boost immunity better than vitamins. Remember: health isn’t about perfection. It’s about progression.

8. Time

A thousand weeks. Give or take. That’s what actuaries predict for an active, healthy life after sixty. Sounds brutal? Maybe. But here’s the flip side: knowing makes every moment sweeter. Spend time like the precious currency it is. Say no to energy vampires. Embrace activities that light you up. Visit that place you’ve been dreaming about. Call that friend you’ve been meaning to reach. Read that book. Take that class. Start that project. The time will pass anyway. Make it count.

Moving Forward: Your Action Plan

Change. It’s uncomfortable. Messy. Sometimes scary. But at sixty-plus, you’ve survived enough change to know this truth: discomfort precedes growth.

Pick one area. Just one. Maybe it’s spending more freely. Perhaps it’s speaking your truth. Or prioritizing health. Start small. Build momentum. You’re not just stopping old patterns – you’re creating space for new adventures, deeper connections, authentic living.

The best years of your life haven’t happened yet. That’s not optimism speaking – it’s a possibility. You’ve got wisdom, perspective, and hopefully some resources. Use them. Your next chapter awaits.

Life after sixty isn’t about decline. It’s about refinement. Distilling life to its essence. Releasing what doesn’t serve you. Embracing what brings joy. This isn’t the end of your story. It’s the beginning of your masterpiece.