Retiring Into Two Suitcases and a Carryon Bag – Part I

I wasn’t 100% sure where I wanted to settle down nor what I wanted to be doing with my “free” time when I retired, so I decided I would do some “testing” to help me decide on where I wanted to live and what I wanted to be doing. The plan was to spend about nine months in Denver to see if it still felt like the place I remembered from when I lived there before and to determine if it might be where I’d want to settle. Additionally, I wanted to try living in Ireland to see if it might be the better choice.

I retired in early January 2020.

Before leaving for Florida, I had one more item to dispose of:  my car.  Since the car was about 15 years old, I donated it to our veterans.  When they came and picked up my car the morning, I was left with a stark reminder that I had no possessions anymore.  This was evident on my key ring where only those store discount cards hung.  I had handed over my keys to my home when it sold.  When I left work, I gave back the ID card and keys.  Lastly, I handed over the car keys.  The discount cards were all that were left!  That made this all real!

I went to Florida for a few weeks to visit my family there before heading out to Denver (with my two duffle bags, carry-on bag, and backpack).  In February, I found a room rental downtown (at Cheesman Park) with a fantastic view of the front range from Colorado Springs in the south to Ft. Collins in the north.  I was so happy!!!! The plan was to learn how public transportation worked and begin volunteering at the theater, the Y, or a local hospital.

Then, Covid hit in March 2020.  That stopped everything, including all public transportation, going to the exercise room in the apartment building where I lived, and having no way to get to the grocery store.  Lyft and Uber were available, but masks and distancing were strictly enforced.  Even having groceries delivered to the front door was challenging (remember the rubber gloves and wiping everything down before using?).

Even though I had retired from full-time work, I continued to teach part-time (2 classes) online for the same university in Connecticut where I had worked full-time. This was a major saving grace and helped to keep me busy during the lockdown days of Covid-19.

To retire, it was essential that I planned carefully to execute the process of downsizing my possessions. Selling my home and eliminating all household goods simplified my life and reduced financial burdens. Giving away items to friends or charity did help declutter my living space and contribute to a greater cause. It is important to assess which items hold sentimental value and which ones are no longer needed, ensuring a smooth transition into retirement. For this point, I kept all of my Christmas ornaments (I had collected these from all of my travels and friends), my CDs (since they don’t play Irish Music on the radio these days), and my memorabilia from the 1996 Olympics that were held in Atlanta (and I was able to participate in as a volunteer).  I also held onto a box of information about my family history.  That was it!

Donating extra clothes to charity is a generous gesture and a great way to ensure my belongings find new homes where they will be valued. It was a rewarding experience to know that my donation made a positive impact on the lives of others. By letting go of possessions that no longer served a purpose in my life, I created space for new opportunities and experiences in retirement. I totally embraced a minimalist lifestyle! In the next post, I will recap how it turned out now that I am four years into this new life.