Unless you are a devout minimalist you have a lot of stuff. We’re surprised how much stuff we have. Where does it all come from? But have we thought about our relationship to our things? How does it change over our life span? Why is it more complicated than just figuring out something in our closet “sparks joy”? Professor David Ekerdt has researched questions like these over his academic career. His acclaimed book, “Downsizing: Confronting Our Possessions in Later Life”, is not a how-to, but a deep dive into our relationship with our stuff, how it changes, and how it’s much harder to part with stuff than the how-to guides would have us believe. Here’s his article from the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/articles/44-years-studying-retirement-11634913113 Check out https://copenotes.com/zestful for an innovative app that supports mental health. Find out more about the Zestful Aging Podcast at ZestfulAging.com.

David Ekerdt --  "Downsizing: Confronting our Possessions in Later Life"

How can we age with zest, courage and vibrance? How can we tackle the challenges of aging--including ageism-- with awareness and skill? Nicole Christina, a psychotherapist of more than 30 years, interviews culture changers from all over the world and of every persuasion–including Python hunters in the Everglades and Hospice workers at San Quentin Penitentiary. Her topics have a humanitarian theme and are typically off of the mainstream. An expert interviewer and author of "Not Just Chatting: How to Become a Master Podcast Interviewer" Nicole’s conversations are deep and heartfelt. In these conversations, the challenges of aging are not sugar coated. Bodies age. We're not as fast or agile as we once were. 60, it turns out, is not the new 40. Acceptance is the key, although it's easier said than done. Our goal, then, is to navigate the losses of aging as well as to highlight the gifts. Many people report being happier when they reach 50 and are delighted by the freedoms they experience. They may have more time to themselves, and the new ability to discover what makes them truly happy. Many women are traveling solo and finding joy in their new friendships. It's a time to be curious and adventurous while our body still is in good working condition. It's not always easy, though. Trying new things can be scary. Nicole's guests are not super heroes. They are people who have found their own ways of meeting the challenges of aging yet still delighting in the life they have left. The Show brings optimism to the experience of aging in spite of the realities of expectable losses.

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David Ekerdt -- "Downsizing: Confronting our Possessions in Later Life"

David Ekerdt -- "Downsizing: Confronting our Possessions in Later Life"

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