Good riddance

One of the things I love best about retirement is all that glorious freedom. It's great not to have to do a boss's bidding and fit in to the workplace any more. But it's more than that. I have a wonderful sense of coming into my own, finally inhabiting my own skin, making my little world the way I want it. I guess I'm a slow learner, but better late than never. It means shedding some baggage along the way.

Here's my list of things I don't do any more, now that I'm old. What's on your list?

• Achieve things. When I was young, it was all about setting and reaching goals. But now I no longer feel obliged to justify the space I take up. I'm learning to feel good about just poking quietly through my day, and not to feel guilty about doing nothing much.
• Buy books. I just get them from the library, read them online, or pick some up from those cute Little Free Libraries on people's lawns.
• Cook every day. I just cook a couple of one-pot meals that are good for two or three servings. Then I don't make them again for a few months
• Drive on highways. My vision's too wonky, my reflexes are too slow, and the other drivers are crazy.
• Dye my hair. No muss, no fuss, seat on the bus.
• Housework. Sure, I still do some. But who cares about a little dust? If I clean it off, it's all back tomorrow anyway.
• Spend time with toxic people. Life's too short.
• Take long trips. Packing, lineups, tiny airplane seats, dinner with strangers. You couldn't pay me to do it.
• Try to please people. Not at my own expense, anyway. I no longer say yes when I'd rather say no. Mostly I've stopped caring what people think of me. They're all too busy worrying about what people think of them.
• Use makeup: Why draw attention to all those lines and bags?
• Wear high heels, skirts, dresses, pantyhose. Novel concept for women: being comfortable and moving freely in your clothes.
• Work for a living. I'm happy to be the boss and sole owner of me.org.