As you get older, are you finding that certain things don’t matter anymore? Many things that seemed so important are meaningless now. Let me list a few.

Wearing clothing until it starts to fall apart was once something that was very important to me. When we were growing up, we had next to nothing, so we often got hand-me- down clothes or items that were on sale at Sears.

I still have a hard time letting go of clothing that isn’t completely worn out, but I’m getting better. I can tolerate a small hole from time to time, but a large rip or bleach stain? It’s time to go.

So, you just don’t like it, it’s out of fashion, or it doesn’t fit. Rather than waiting for it to appeal to you again, just chuck it.

There are numerous thrift stores that will gladly accept your donations. In fact, I have a bunch of stuff I need to give away right now. I’m just too lazy to go in the closet and stuff it into a bag because my back hurts. Maybe tomorrow.

Feeling obligated to use all my leftovers was a necessity for me. I have always been a queen of leftovers, and I still feel bad if I have to toss something into the trash.

Why didn’t I use it before it started changing colors? I should’ve noticed that it was starting to smell, and then I could’ve decided whether I wanted to eat it or not.

Now I realize it’s okay to throw something out if it’s rotten or you no longer want to eat it. After all, it’s not gonna become more edible.

Keeping up with the latest and greatest doesn’t interest me that much anymore. There’s a lot of posturing where I live, where people are competing with clothing, jewelry, cars, and expensive cosmetic procedures.

I look at these people and wonder if I have the energy or the desire to do what they do. I realize that I don’t. Plus, those things aren’t covered by Medicare.

I try to eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and maintain a positive attitude, but I struggle to keep up with people who define themselves by their appearance.

I’d rather be remembered for my sense of humor, kindness, and ability to empathize with people who are going through a tough time.

Traveling to the most remote places on earth is something that doesn’t appeal to me much anymore. We’ve done quite a bit of touring, and I’ve seen enough cathedrals to last me a lifetime. Rather than enduring long plane flights and uncomfortable seats, I’d rather have a unique experience.

Let me learn about the art of snail masks. I’d like to put my feet in an aquarium and have fish nibble on my calluses. I’ve already eaten all types of insects so that’s off my bucket list.

If I’m brave, I’d like to go in one of those anti-gravity booths, and pretend I’m skydiving. It’s too late for me to jump out of a plane unless I have a terminal illness.

Please don’t put me through another tour with hundreds of other people who are going to the same monument. The travel brochures don’t show you all the scaffolding that continues all year round. Give me something memorable to talk about that involves some obscure soft adventure.

Keeping up with friendships that don’t mean much to me is something I’m learning to relinquish. There are people who have dropped me for whatever reason, and those I have discarded. It’s not my job to be inclusive to everyone and keep them in my life. Some people are just draining and energy suckers. Maybe it’s OK to let them find other people to irritate. I can’t be me anymore.

Making the bed perfectly has never been high on my priority list. And now I care even less about it. I might make it a little better if company is coming over, but for the most part, I just want it to look pretty good from above. We’re just gonna go to bed again later. As long as the blankets aren’t on the floor, that’s enough for me.

Trying to make our yard look perfect is not something that’s keeping me up at night. Besides, if the bushes are higher, there’s less likelihood of debris flying into the windows during hurricane season. Tall untamed bushes do the trick.

Doing a lot of in-home entertaining has always been something I’ve avoided. We used to blame it on the fact that we had a small condo in Los Angeles, but now that our home is larger, you think I’d be dying to entertain. I’m not.

Between wondering if people have food allergies or if they’re going to judge the condition of my home, it makes me prefer going out to eat. Everyone orders what they want, and I don’t have to worry about dishes and dust.

If I feel really guilty about the fact that I’m not entertaining, I may spring for dinner. But showing off my hospitality skills is not something that appeals to me. I’m no Martha Stewart.

So how about you? What things are you letting fall by the wayside now? Do you feel guilty about it or are you patting yourself on the back like I am?