Spring Cleaning for the Soul: Redefining Life in Retirement
Three months into retirement, and I’m learning that stepping out of a fast-paced career isn’t just about finding new things to do—it’s about learning how to be.
When I first retired, I didn’t just make a to-do list of projects I wanted to tackle or places I wanted to visit. I challenged myself to go deeper. I asked, “How do I want this next season of life to feel?” Physically, emotionally, and spiritually—what kind of atmosphere did I want to live in? What kind of woman did I want to grow into, now that my time is truly mine?
From that exercise came a beautiful shift. I began to structure my days not around productivity, but around intentional living.
• I go to the gym daily—not just to stay fit, but to get stronger and more flexible for the life I still have ahead of me.
• I read and journal more—creating space for reflection instead of mindless scrolling.
• I spend time in quiet—listening for God’s voice instead of the world’s noise.
And yet, despite all this goodness, there’s a tug I’m still working to release: the feeling of being rushed. That anxious sense that I’m behind or that there’s never enough time. The truth is, there is time. I’m not on a deadline. But it seems decades of time management and optimization programming don’t just fade overnight.
Today, I pulled out the notes I made before I retired—the dreams and feelings I wrote down about what I hoped this season would hold. And I noticed something big: so much of what I wanted was rooted in health, wellness, and peace. I’ve come a long way. But I also see the areas still needing work—especially the ability to truly be still.
Maybe it’s no coincidence that it’s spring.
Growing up, my mom always had us do spring cleaning. Like clockwork, we’d scrub baseboards, sort closets, and open the windows wide to let the fresh air in. It was hard work, but there was always something satisfying about that cleanse—a sense of renewal.
This spring, I realized I’m doing another kind of spring cleaning—in my mind. I’m scrubbing out the old, worn-out thoughts that no longer serve me:
• “There’s not enough time.”
• “You should be doing more.”
• “You’re falling behind.”
None of those are facts. They’re just thoughts. And it’s time to replace them.
So this spring, I’m making room for new mental furniture—thoughts like:
• “I have time to enjoy my life.”
• “I don’t need to rush.”
• “Peace is more powerful than pressure.”
Just like I planted fresh flowers on my patio this week—choosing colors, placing each one with care, and gently pressing them into the soil—I’m learning to plant new thoughts, new rhythms, and new beauty in this season of life.
Those little flowers remind me daily that growth takes time, that beauty unfolds slowly, and that God makes all things new in His time.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Retirement isn’t just a change in schedule; it’s a change in mindset. And it’s okay if that takes time. I’m learning that growth doesn’t always look like hustle. Sometimes, it looks like unlearning, unrushing, and giving yourself permission to breathe.
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