I am a man who crochets. I've crocheted in public. If my wife is at a Drs appt, I might be sitting in the waiting area working on a crochet project. During a long bus ride, I crochet. I get looks. I couldn't care less. - The light in our living room comes mostly from large, clear Christmas lights that we leave up 365 days a year - I paint rather poorly and display my work with great pride - my wife makes more money than I do and I'm not ashamed, I'm quite proud of her accomplishments - I, too, like to wear the same thing all the time. - Ketchup is for meat and eggs, I like ketchup on steak, even really good steak. This upsets some cooks, but I reckon they get over it eventually. It's not my problem. - I never had a career, just a long series of widely varied jobs. I've never found anything that I would like to do for the rest of my life, so I switch industries when I feel like it. I've been a body guard, factory worker, bus driver, accountant, customer service rep, writer, carpenter, to name a few. Now I'm 54 and learning to be a truck driver. I want to experience all the things I can. - Here's to breaking the molds!

Your video reminds me of the old saying ... When you’re 20 you care what everyone thinks, when you’re 40 you stop caring what everyone thinks, when you’re 60 you realize no one was ever thinking about you in the first place.

After 65 you become invisible to everyone, so live for yourself and embrace a peaceful heart and mind.

"Men and women weren't meant to live together, but live close and visit quite often." -- Catherine Hepburn (paraphrased.)

What you see is what you get. I don't even wear a bra anymore. At 83 I don't give a rat's ass what other people think. Comfort is the prime driver. Good food, soft easy to wash clothes and good shoes. Warm fleecy things a size bigger than the norm and baggy sweats. Wake up at 3 bedtime at 7 or 8. Sleep with my cat. Eat a whole box of popsicles if I feel like it. Life is short. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Meaningless social encounters and parties bore me to death. I don't even have jewelry or party clothes.

I have been with my partner for 14 years, we don't live together and each have our own homes, we will never marry, have not mixed finances and have every intention of staying together until one of us passes. We date, go on holidays together and our families treat us as a couple. Most people think we're odd but it works for us.

Single BW in my fifties whose lived my entire life in various phases of conformity and now complete non-conformity. I don't go to church (gasp, horror, as a BW pearls will be clutched on this one), but I believe in a higher power. I'm an introvert and a loner so I eschew any notion of having large social gatherings over my house. Every room in my house is mine, lol, no designated guest rooms anymore. I am currently planning to spend holidays away from family and friends in my hometown and spending time away from the hustle and bustle of the holidays with a different set of friends at a vacation destination. No decorations, no holiday meal prep, just relaxing with friends on the beach, resting and reading. No wrapping paper, or shopping for gifts. I work just enough to live and spend my time off peacefully getting as much rest time as possible. I wear the same comfortable clothes over and over again. Wash, rinse, repeat. I order groceries for pick up, food on delivery if I don't feel like shopping or cooking. Basically I look at all the busy BW around me and I do the exact opposite and I don't cave to others norms and expectations. I live in peace ☮️.

Ha ha ha, I’m a man, and I love living alone. I don’t decorate for Christmas almost at all anymore. What a relief!

I think I’ve found my people-and quite frankly, I’m shocked. Reading some of these comments is INCREDIBLY validating, because I see myself! Up at 4am, in bed by 7. Not married. No kids. Shaved my head over 5 years ago, and will never grow my hair out again. I don’t date. I have few friends. I spend my time crocheting, going to the YMCA to swim, and pursuing whatever I find interesting. Yes, it’s a bit lonely now and then, but I consider that a fair trade off for the freedom I receive in return. I no longer have to live up to anyone else’s expectations of me-and I’m just finding peace in being financially stable and independent. Thank you so much for this vid and channel!

As a 28 yr old, this video was very affirming for me! I am single, not lonely, and not looking. One social norm I buck, and care less and less about each day, is I will regularly sit outside in my car to eat lunch at work. I call it my introvert intermission. I cannot possibly talk work with people all day and then also small talk over lunch… nope, I go outside and have some brief solitude in the middle of my day.

If it makes you happy and you're not hurting anyone, live your life exactly as you want.

I have aspergers and Im a male in my 40s. Im a nurse so i wear scrubs to work and I own no "fancy" clothes at all. I wear sweatpants, sometimes jeans, everywhere...if a place requires more than that I dont go there, and I have no desire to go to places like that anyway. I will never attend another wedding or other big social event. I dont like crowds and do not see any purpose to social rituals or protocols. My BFF is a lesbian who is ~16 years younger, and I wholeheartedly choose that (very supportive) relationship over any romantic relationship. I talk/text with her daily and spend time with her weekly but I cant spend too much time with any one person no matter how much I enjoy their occasional company, and if Im in a relationship that requires me to give up too much "myself alone time" I get miserable and resentful of that person, no matter how much I care about them. I live with another female friend Ive had since highschool who is as solitary a person as I am, if not moreso. I need to be on my own schedule, able to do what I want when I want (at least during my days off from work). On paper, I look like a directionless slacker who plays a lot of video games (oh and D&D), is single with no kids and no ambition to climb career/social ladders...but Im actually a very successful nurse with a previous B.S. degree, I love nature and cycling, and Im a financially stable homeowner, it doesnt bother me when people sometimes treat me like Im "a manchild" because I know Im a hard worker, and I am pretty much wholly satisfied with how my life is set up right now.

My husband of 40 yrs passed away last fall. For first time in my life I am alone. And I am enjoying it. My grown daughter who is high on the spectrum lives with me, but she goes to work and then hides in her room. I wear the same few things all the time. I eat what I want, when I want. I am retiring this summer at 62 and will travel as I feel like. If I want to stay up all night, I will. I nap most afternoons. By product of working night shift for 30 years. I don't wear make up. I don't waste money on fancy nails, shoes or clothes. I enjoy my own company and am happy to be alone most of the time.

I am ignoring how I should act and what I should like as a Black woman. I have never fit the stereotype and this has always annoyed people in the Black (AND Brown) community. I also don't feel ashamed for being a divorcee.

My husband and I have always slept apart in our own rooms! I love the space and quiet. We are affectionate and make time for quality time together etc. No resentment about lost sleep, disturbed sleep. Our friends and family think it's weird, but I think they are just sleep deprived and irritable haha. Also, these days I don't suffer fools anymore or subject myself to the company of people who don't treat me with love and respect. Even family. It has been hard but I realised I have to do this to protect my sanity from toxic family members. I'm 42 now and reaching mid life and perimenopause has helped me reevaluate my priorities in life. Loved this video, thanks.

My husband is 82 and I am 81. We have already signed up to be body donors at a local medical school and we plan to have NO funerals! Our children are all on board with our decisions-we didn’t ask, we told them. If our friends and family want to honor us, they can do it now while we’re alive and we don’t intend to enrich the funeral corporations.

52, single, never married, no children and I LOVE my dog! I moved 18 hours away from family and friends to a state in which I’d never visited and I do not know a single soul…been here 6 years. It’s the best thing I’ve done for myself in a very long time.

I love your lifestyle. I am 65 and I no longer accept the norm any longer! Had a doctor appointment today (new patient consultation), and my appointment time was 2:30. After waiting 1 hour, I left. No one came in the exam room to check on me, explain the delay or even see if I was doing OK. So, at 3:35, I opened the exam room and left. I gave no explanation, just walked out! My time is valuable to me.

Im a very independent 58 yr old woman. I love repairing things myself. Electrical, woodworking, plumbing..you name it. I also like to sew and knit. Was married at a young age but have been single for many years and loving it. I dont have any interest in dating. I am living my best life doing what i please and spending my hard earned money on what i want withouth having to explain. Pinapple and ham on pizza is yummy! Glad to find so many like minded people out there. 😊

In 2019 I got baptized, told my bf our relationship had to change and when he realized that meant no sex, he was gone. Best decision I made! I go to movies, beach, travel, restaurants, and more myself. I do not want to marry again so I don't see point of dating. I get the rolled eyes look when I say I wanna do things God's way. Some assume you don't have a full life without a partner, but it feels like freedom to me. Do what I want when and how I want. Sometimes lonely but most often not.

At 30 I decided I no longer have to go to the movies to watch a movie I don't want to. At 40, I gave myself permission to no longer play "party games" at baby showers or wedding showers. I no longer wear dress shoes, I only wear Sketchers because they are comfortable. I own 4 pairs of them. I buy durable clothing and only wear white or black socks. I've had pretty much the same hairdo for 25 years. I stopped wearing make-up around 4 years ago. That's me.

I'm a 58 yo woman and I've been divorced since I was in my late twenties. My son is grown and I'm an introvert, so I enjoy my own company. I have popcorn for dinner if I want and I haven't decorated for Christmas in almost ten years. I live in a small southern town and am seen as an odd duck because I don't care to gossip with the neighbors.

I’m also an “odd duck” and always have been. Have always lived life the way I chose/choose. Chose to marry and I did. Had children that I wanted. Have had a career which I am now leaving by my choice. Husband passed away when I was 52 and have been alone by choice since then. Can paint the house whatever color I want, eat what and when I want and soon will be able to get up when I want, go to bed all the time. I’m also with you on style. I’m so glad that there are more of us than I anticipated. Odd ducks unite!

The lockdowns and social distancing were a great time for many people to discover what they truly want and don't want. Personally, I am now more me than I ever was before.

I found myself alone after several traumas and tragedies. You are helping me accept this unsocial norm.

75 this June, divorced 10 years this August after 35 years, living single, wake at 3ish and watch yt until I feel like rolling out of bed. Participate in various physical and art activities at the very active center. Put Snoopy Christmas shower curtain and other bathroom accessories up in July until whenever. Study languages, get lost in reading suspense books; attend art school out of state in the summer, cello and now guitar, volunteer only if I want to, take the top off my jeep and overall, keep it moving. Oh, I see the children, grands and nieces when they remember I’m still here and if I’m up to it. Everything at my leisure. Enjoy Life!

Sleeping and waking when your body WANTS is the ultimate luxury (that should really be standard). Ready for a 24-hour world.

Moved from US to Ireland and recently to Hungary. Introvert. Faith-filled. Just turned 59+1 😂 Very content and grateful. Would be grand to have a mugga tay with any of ye! We are all walking on the same path, separately. God bless ye!

Amen to that! Never want to clean-up after a man ever again. My ex-husband didn't have the same standards of cleanliness and organization. And even though he didn't expect me to clean up after him, I did anyway because I couldn't stand the mess. I'm so glad I have less estrogen now (presumably) and could not care less about having a man in my life.

I married three times because I was raised to believe I needed a partner to be complete. Hogwash!!! I am now retired and live with my two kitties in a lovely little apartment which I rarely leave. I am very content with what I have and don't have. My sleep pattern changed to going to bed at 3am and getting up at noon. It works for me very well.

I hate hot sunny weather so now I close my blinds in summer. I am so much happier and less stressed…and Also I avoid going outside during the day and you know the more you do what works for you, the more energetic and happy you feel!

Your first one is so so so so SO important to me. I am single by choice (mid 30s), but I've currently been sharing a house with someone for 6 years, and in a past relationship, and it is SO draining. I need my space to function FOR ME and to work for my mental health. HOMEostasis.The few times I've had my own space for myself makes life SO much easier and less stressful for me. I've reiterated to potential partners that I will only ever have my own space from now on and that they will have theirs. Period. It is so hard trying to explain this and be understood. THANK YOU for putting this one out there and making a girl feel heard.

60, married and childless by choice. Painted our walls rich jewel tones. I loath the phrase, “be nice now”. I have a kind heart and gentle hands. I eat off my good china everyday.

I’m the only woman in my neighborhood who does the “men’s “ work: mowing, mulching, manually de thatching, raking, hedge trimming, pruning, tilling, planting, organic fertilizing, bird house and feeder building, shoveling snow and de icing. It’s great exercise and I enjoy it. Every other house around me has either a husband or hired help to do manual labor.

I’m 60 and live alone and answer to no one for the first time in my life. I’m only responsible for myself and it’s glorious!

You are a jewel! I’m 58 and a widow (9/2021) and I too do my own thing. I was blessed to have a husband for 32 years (together 37) and we were both free to be ourselves. Even through his cancer he kept gardening and ministering and we kept “dating” instead of allowing the illness to control us. I already do most of the things on your list unapologetically. I’ve even shared a few of your tips, in a church message, on combatting loneliness. I’ll definitely be stepping up my activity and trying new things…just because 😊. Blessings and I look forward to hearing more from you. Thank you!!

Leaving my toxic family and the abusive ex was liberating. I do what I want, when I want. I've been eating alone in restaurants for years, and it has truly never bothered me. I have a job I really like in an amazing part of the world, and I'm about to upgrade that. And I'm constantly having people tell me that they're envious. I tell them that they could do the same, and they swear they couldn't. Their loss.

For forty-five years I have been a vegetarian and I have gotten a lot of flack for it from my family. I never wear a wedding ring. We never had china or silverware either. We sold our house because my husband did not want to maintain it and it stressed him out to own it. I have not had my hair cut professionally for twelve years. I have a couple of tops and jeans. I am a minimalist with only the things I use and love. I need solitude and hate gossip. I enjoyed this video and everyone's comments!

I'm 36 and in the thick of raising kids but I'm obsessed with your lifestyle. I quit my corporate job less than a year ago when i realized that i didn't want to spend my life on conference calls. Now I'm trying to navigate simplicity and my own social norms.

I've been on a journey since my 40's of giving things up that no longer suit me or I just never cared about. It wasn't until my 40's that I decided to decorate my house in a way that makes "me" happy.... not what was expected. In my 50's my son's Autism Doctor suggested that my son's Autism might have come from genetics. At the time I didn't realize he was talking about me. Fast forward to 2023 and I was diagnosed with Narcolepsy type 1 with Cataplexy. The medication they use for treating that is the same as ADHD meds. Which led to an almost simultaneous discovery that I have ADHD and Autism. My therapist laughs at my "discovery".... she sees it. Learning who I am and how my brain works has somehow made me feel more comfortable with unmasking and holding so fiercely to societal norms. I just can't force myself to care anymore. I've been "uncomfortable" as myself for my entire life. If someone is uncomfortable with who I am.... okay. They can choose to accept it or move on. I'm fine with either. Now I dress and decorate to please me only. I wear my hair to please me only. I live alone because it makes me happy. I sleep and eat and function on a daily basis that works for me. I've never been happier in my life.

I found living alone, home can never be too small -- living with someone, home can never be big enough 😁 ... there's no getting away

I'm 79, married, self-employed writer, one adult autistic son, with my own list of "I don't have time for this nonsense." As a writer, I do need a LOT of alone time, outside as well as inside, but...happily married to someone. Just not joined at the hip 24/7. My list starts with clothes: no more skirts, no more high heels. Men's jeans because pockets, better material & last longer, not skin-tight or "fashionable." Men's or unisex T-shirts and turtlenecks (in winter.) Dress-up is "nice" slacks, nicer top, comfortable shoes. Flannel sheets year 'round because they feel good to me. Sleep patterns have also changed, and now include a near-obligatory afternoon nap, later bedtime, getting up just before dawn. I do wake up at 3 am, but only briefly. Books: we have bookshelves on every possible wall of every room. I am not "culling" the shelves heavily: I re-read books I like and discard books I don't like w/in the first week. As a writer living in a very small town with very limited library, I need my own research library and it's all around me, including an earlier edition of the OED. I like the music I like and ignore the music I don't...all my records, tapes, CDs are music I like. I still have enough china and flatware to entertain 20 easily---and use whichever (formal, informal) I feel like at the moment. Am using surviving bits and pieces of my great-grandmother's for dessert plates because why not? Our son has no interest in most of these things and will inherit the stuff he wants. If something breaks I don't worry or grieve (OK, the big cut-crystal pitcher...that might provoke a tear, because it's so gorgeous when the sun hits it, but I've already survived the broken dinner bell, two goblets, and a bowl. Friends are more important than inherited pretties. My interests also don't fit the social norm...I still have horses (don't ride as much, due to multiple concussions with consequences) and play with swords. That's getting harder, but I'm still doing stabby and swinging (sabre) things. Puncturing or slicing water bottles hung from tree limbs--FUN.

I realized in the 1980s that, no matter how closely I attempted to adopt the social norms prevalent in middle school, the in-crowd I had been desperately trying to emulate since the moment I had discovered their existence two years previously would never view me as one of their own. I was fundamentally different, absorbed in my own interests that had little to do with the opposite sex or recent pop culture. For a short time, I was filled with righteous indignation at the Unfairness of Life, but soon I realized how freeing it was: Now that I knew people who conform are not usually rewarded for their efforts beyond the most basic of civilities, I was free to let my freak flag fly, and I began to wear weird clothes and I rarely skipped class, but frequently I would skip TO class, which boys were never supposed to do for some reason even though it's fun. I began to view middle school from the vantage point of a more-or-less objective outsider and decided middle school had a lot of room for improvement. I saw that the band and choir didn't get the same kind of perks that the football and basketball teams did, so I secretly started a campaign to celebrify and call out individuals such as a girl, Sara, who played first tenor saxophone. I secretly made posters after school to let everybody know Sara had a great sense of humor, was pulling a 3.9 GPA and still practicing her instrument for an hour every night. Nobody asked me to do this, and I'm not sure Sara, nor any of my other celebrity Pygmalia, appreciated the publicity. My campaign ultimately failed due to my lack of knowledge about what kind of adhesive is used to stick such posters to the wall in the long corridor that connected the cafeteria and the basketball courts to the rest of the school, but something did stick: My delight in not conforming to social norms lacking logic or a purpose, which is most of them. I've been a security guard, a hairstylist, a network technician, an accordionist in a folk-rock band, and a newspaper editor. I was an undergraduate for nine years but never graduated because I was interested in every subject and kept changing majors. A friend once described me as the closest thing to a generalist of anybody he had met, and I reckon now, 20 years later, he's probably right: Generalists tend to be very late bloomers, and I'm finally starting to see first signs that I'm about to embark on that transformative rite of passage.

I'm 56. My social norm breaks: Purple hair. Comfy clothes ONLY. Even my "dressy" stuff is cozy. Fun clothes! (That are comfy). Hand-crocheted, fun colors and patterns. "Stimming" as much as I please - moving my fingers, swaying, tapping my feet, fidgeting... no care what you may think. Funky home decorating. It's cluttered, I don't keep it "showroom", and I'm surrounded with things and colors I love! And the most important thing that I had to learn to do - I speak my mind freely. I'm kind, try to be tactful, but I no longer hide my feelings. (Opinions, I'm more discerning about sharing.)

One norm I detest is synthetic fabrics. I only wear cotton, linen or wools.

If I realize Im not enjoying a show , I just stop it midway through and turn the channel, who cares, nobody else is watching so why endure even a moment of a show I dont like or am not enjoying- such a luxury!

I’ve decided recently that I’m no longer buying into the norm that my aging face needs “repair” or “correction” beauty products. Aging is normal.. and while I will still maintain skin health with sunscreen and a good diet, I’m no longer buying into the belief that any wrinkle I form needs a “drop of youth serum” so some company can make a buck off my insecurities…. I’m sick-of-it!!! That marketing has women acting so hard on themselves and to each other.

Separate housing is the best idea. You never have to be in servitude. Cleaning up someone's messes, doing their laundry, Cleaning The house while they sit on the couch then act surprised or angrey because you ask them to help! You won't end up paying their bills because conveniently they lost Or quit their jobs as soon as they moved in with you!

I am 65, married, with adult children. This year I made the decision to move back into my own house in another area. I love having my own space, my own life…and peace. My husband is fully supportive. Our relationship is better than ever.

On sleep cycles, been a "night owl" all my life. I'm 63, have had to get up early for jobs of course, never really adjusted, just tired all the time. I can now follow my natural sleep cycle and feel so much better physically. I no longer care about the negative judgement from many morning people toward night owls. ( lazy, somehow irresponsible, "unwilling" to get up early etc.) They would feel awful staying up until 12:30 or 1:00 am every night, I feel awful getting up early.

I'm an American expat living in a Buddhist country, and I adore that I just sail through the Christmas holiday season with no stress or pressure. The Buddhists celebrate the new year and it's as simple as that. I love it.

Boy you have me thinking about social norms that I don’t follow. I never really thought about it. The only thing that comes to mind is I love kids cereal. And I eat it quite regularly. I like the adult cereal too. However, my preferences is for kids cereal. I guess I never really grow out of that. Used to be a bit embarrassed about it until the other day when I was at the supermarket and saw a gentleman around our age picking up kids cereal for himself. I found myself talking to him and I asked him which one was his favourite. That was real Nice to have that interaction with someone and it made me feel good.

I don't really have a sense of what social norms are anymore. I do what feels right for me.

I don't have special towels, blankets, soaps, dishes, or silverware either. As I've gotten older, I realize every day I wake up is a special and precious day, so I'm using all of my "speacial" stuff now. Thanks for sharing! I truly enjoyed this video!

I do not attend sales parties such as candle, kitchen ware, make up, lingerie, purses, home decor…nothing. So, thank goodness people quite asking me! Awwwwww

i myself am not someone of your generation, but i sort of.. take a kind of comfort in this video of yours. it's a nice thing to see that it isn't just us younger folks trying to break the norms, but there are some older ones as well. it just feels like a really nice thing to see, i suppose. i am only 20 myself, but a lot of the things that you brought up are things that i have never really understood the point of, such as supposedly "needing" a spouse to live with, and even the things as mundane as what you do or don't put on your bed. i suppose that i'm just happy to know that people have been having these kind of thoughts for a long time (realistically, probably for all of history in some way or another). i grew up with people who try to stick to what they know, and that's just never seemed to fit me or the way i want to live my life. this inspires me to want to stick to my guns and keep trekking my way. your view is very much appreciated, thank you for sharing it with the world!

I'm 58 and work from home, and I have adopted the "uniform" of black turtlenecks and black pull-on pants. I love not having to fret about what to wear anymore. I'm comfortable and coordinated--they're Garanimals for grownups! (Gen Xers who remember Garanimals, give a shoutout for matching the tags!) Thank you for being you, and sharing your positivity, insight, and humor with us.

I’m 64 and, as soon as I retire, my wardrobe will be jeans and t-shirts except for funerals or weddings, and I don’t plan on wearing dresses. I don’t have investments, so nothing to compare there. I don’t decorate for Christmas at all- red and green make me anxious (a real thing). I love pineapple on pizza! My personal non-conformity is that I refuse to shave anymore. I don’t care and I don’t wear shorts or dresses or sleeveless tops, so there is no need to waste my time.

My social norm-break is I don’t decorate at ALL for holidays. I don’t even know what it’s all about.

Omigod...MY PEOPLE!! I love you all so very much. 😄

I'm 63, self-employed, never married and with you on about half of these norms. I've always done my own thing - the people who know me don't care and the people who care don't know me. As I get older, I find the biggest change is that I don't try to hide it anymore. When I was younger and my parents were alive, and I worked in an office, I tried harder to fit in but now I can do what I want, when I want, how I want. I suppose some would call it "living an authentic like and being true to yourself."

As a 75 year old married woman, I love having my own bedroom. My husband likes it very cold at night and I do not. We have been happily married for 29 years. We love to travel and get along very well. Even though we have a 4 bedroom home, we have no room for guests. The other two bedrooms are for exercise and travel planning.

I'm 55, single and newly retired. I've been wearing yoga pants and t shirts everyday since the pandemic. I love being silver and solo! ❤

YES yes yes to keeping your retirement funds in the stock market. Really delighted to hear you say that.

I am older than you, was married for 48 years and have been single since my husband’s death. Despite those differences, I think very much the same as you on the majority of the subjects you mentioned. It’s refreshing to know there are other independent-thinking women out there.😊

I refuse to paint my nails and toenails, dye my hair, and wear makeup, high heels, or what is stylish. I don't decorate for Christmas (just don't love it). I have "weird" interests, and have no interest in what most others talk about. I have no top sheet, fancy linens, or guest things, either. I don't sleep with my husband anymore (pre-menopause, snoring, flopping over, and temp. differences made sleep impossible). I love to go camping and to restaurants alone. I eat mostly meat. I'm just an odd and independent soul.

Good advice. I'm on and off with the top sheet. I view it as a blanket in warm weather and unnecessary in cold. I, too, have a lovely comforter which I can use year round. I've had it over 40 years and it's still looking good. Washes easy too. I gave my good dishes to my eldest grandnibbling and she passed them on to a family who needed them. I'm happy, they're getting used. My daily dishes and bowls are the ones I made in pottery mixed in with odd pieces I picked up here and there for a use. It all fits in one cupboard and that's all I need. When I moved from my condo into my apartment in the next state, I surprised my family by insisting on a one bedroom unit, down from my 2 bedroom unit. I had decided that I no longer need a living room and what was a living room is now my studio. These are just a few changes I have made in my life and I am a much happier person going my own way. Breaking rules and norms can make one's life a fuller, richer experience!

I’ve lately thought that I may have been on the Spectrum my entire life. Now I think maybe I’ve always just had the mindset of a 60-year-old. I resonate with all of this. (62 this year, and finally embracing my own preferences)

When you were talking about wedding china and silver, oh and glassware, I thought I would share my latest pet peeve. Okay, all these young people getting married who, inside the invitation, enclose their list of wants. Usually I laugh, and ignore. Even if I don’t laugh, I ignore. Because honey, let me tell you this….you and your intended spouse have lived together for 4 yrs. You just moved into your custom built home. You drive very nice cars. You have the gall to ask me for 2 gifts. So in addition to the 8 cocktail glassware you want me to buy, you also expect me to pay for 1 night at your honeymoon retreat. Oh, HELL NO!! I need to stop at the Dollar Tree tomorrow and buy a card. Because reasons.

One social norm I don't follow is wearing your shoes in the house. No one (not even guests) are allowed to wear shoes in my house. I think it's fantastically disgusting to drag the world's dirt, feces, germs, vomit, etc into my home. Perhaps this started because I've worked at a hospital my entire adult life and I see all of the nasty crap that hospital workers walk in. Or maybe it's because I grew up in a house that was very unkempt with carpets and rugs that were always stained and smelly. P.S. Although I am married, for 24 years now, if I were to ever find myself divorced or widowed, I have zero desire to be in another relationship and until I found your channel, I always thought I was weird for feeling that way. I love my alone time and my own nest!

I'm a 68 yr old woman who lives alone in the middle of nowhere with 2 cats and a horse. I've been here for 18 years. I used to have a herd of horses but now I just have one. I used to spend time with "friends" but I really don't do that anymore. My 'friends" invite me to lunch, but I no longer accept their invitations. I no longer have time for anyone but myself.

Same here! Now I buy two sheet sets and sew the flat sheets together to make a comforter cover! Love my flannel sheets. Also wear my clothes a size larger, like soft, warm shapes. I do wear makeup, but it’s for me, I take pride in my appearance. I’ve started exercising every day for 30 minutes and love it. No family or friends right now, don’t want to put up with mind games or gaslighting. Have a husband, but we have our own spaces and there’s lots of down time for me. Unfortunately, I’ve started walking out on jobs. I just don’t have time for power trips, or business owners who want me to cook their books or break state and civic laws so they don’t have to pay taxes.

Love this! As a 59 year old single, this resonates. My Xmas tree is up in November too and I keep it up until Ukrainian Xmas. I buy presents for myself and stocking stuffers too. I wear what I like and have numerous outfits on repeat. Any relationship with a partner involves him having his own home as well. A good time involves playing the piano, reading or working a jigsaw puzzle. My animals are my family and I am content!

AMEN! PREACH! I am not pathetic! I LOVE my solitude. I just found your channel, wish I found it sooner. Oh, and just because I'm a single woman not looking for a mate does not mean I like girls!

The best thing about passing 60 is that your "give a schitte" completely breaks. because you learn that most of it never really mattered. So if it does not improve your view of the sunset, then it does not belong in your life. Cheers from Lake Mohawk, NJ!

I love that you can stick to your individual habits and likes and you don't get influenced by someone telling you to do things their way! I am working on this, great freedom! Thank you!

Heck yeah fellow Gen Xer! Love to hear about women living life on their terms. It's not always easy. Loving your videos.

I keep smiling as I listen to this video because I thought I was the only one thinking like this! You are a breath of fresh air Jen!

I'm a guy. Your channel seems to appeal to the other half of the gene pool judging from the commenters. BUT I just love your down to earth attitudes and advicce. Lots of good stuff for all. Thanks, you're doing a great job.

I think most women go through the same changes as we age. We get more comfortable in our careers, in our bodies, and in who we are so we shed all the rules imposed by external forces from 45 yrs on. My whole house and backyard is an art studio. My male dog is my guy. He never complains about housework not getting done or the dishes in the sink. He didn't roll his eyes when I said I would write a book this year, and he's always eager to go for a drive. Retired at 60, sold my house, moved into a van, and traveled for 2 yrs. I wear clothes stained by paint, dyes, and sprays to run errands or get groceries. I finger-comb my grey hair into a ponytail. I'm in the South, so I get some looks. It makes me smile.

I sometimes think my husband and I should live in separate wings with a shared central space. He's a borderline hoarder, I like empty space, air, and light. He's a night owl, I'm a lark. He likes having his feet uncovered at night, I can't sleep if my feet are cold. And so on.

This blog makes me feel so normal, thank you ❤

I was on the road consulting for years, while married. I used to joke about it saying "I feel badly for those who have to actually live with their spouse. I honestly don't know how they do it".

I go for first sleep about 7-8pm, and get up anywhere from 11 to 1am and stay awake for a couple hours, then sleep again from about 5-9am. And sometimes I nap in the afternoon too, because I feel like it. I do not use top sheets and haven't for decades, a duvet and covers, with fitted sheets and matching pillowcases is all I need. And I can completely change how my room looks just by changing the duvet cover. I am appalled at the idea of ketchup anywhere near a grilled cheese, that is heresy. I am perfectly content to be single with a platonic life partner who lives half the country away. I have cats, and dance to 80s music.

I never iron clothes, and I don't even have an iron. as they say: if I can stand my own wrinkles, so can my clothes. 😄

I'm with you on the clothes! I wear soft comfortable clothes every single day. When I find a shirt or pants that feel great, I buy several and keep them for years. I've even created a uniform to wear at home and a uniform to wear at work. It just removes a lot of anxiety to have something soft and familiar on my body at all times.

It's so great seeing more women openly talking about being single and loving it. I carried so much shame for a long time both for being queer and for not being super interested in dating and relationships. I still wasted a lot of time trying to meet all sorts of societal expectations. There was a ton of pressure on me to date men, so I did and I regret all the wasted time and the trauma that came from some of those experiences. Middle age has been so freeing. I am very protective of my time outside of work and have gotten better at setting boundaries.

From Red Skelton's Recipe for a Happy Marriage... 1. Two times a week we go to a nice restaurant, have a little beverage, good food and companionship. She goes on Tuesdays, I go on Fridays. 2. We also sleep in separate beds. Hers is in California , and mine is in Texas..

- Autumn is my favorite season, so I don’t put up my Christmas decorations until the day after Thanksgiving (or later)…and then when winter gets dreary, the little lights stay cozy, so I keep the Christmas decorations up until March! 🎄 - I go to sleep at 3am and wake around everyone else’s lunchtime. - Sleep with the bedroom at 65 degrees fahrenheit - If I find a good shirt, I get it in every color and wear it (them) almost exclusively for the next decade. - I keep pretty much only two pairs of shoes: summer sandals and closed winter walking shoes, plus a pair of slippers. These were rather expensive but will also last a decade with good care and replacing the insoles every 6 months. (I have held onto a few odd pair of other shoes for extraneous circumstances, like a pair of heels for a wedding, a pair of winter boots). - I wear earplugs in loud restaurants (can hear conversation better over the noise) - If the mood strikes and the company is good, I have been known to order two desserts

Social norm I ignore is not putting up Christmas decorations at all !!! Just way too much effort 😂😂

the reason that the masses aren't aware of us is because it's not important in our lives but it's kinda nice to know that we're everywhere.

The difference is, YOU'RE not trying to sell me anything, you're just making people happy. Decorate away!

I'm 67, been living on my own since I was 31. I sleep in the livingroom (bed and all), do not entertain, cook and bake the way I enjoy, lock the gates and go to bed at sundown, and wake at first light. Whether I choose to get up then, depends. I unplugged my TV probably 8 years ago, don't miss it. I recently have acquired a number of yard mowing and cleanup jobs, which give me a sense of accomplishment, some necessary cash, and exercise. I don't buy into the role of subservient, gullible twit, which I had in younger years. I like being alone (with my small dog). If I want to be around people, I do. My one regret is for years wasted trying to live up to expectations of others, college degree abandoned. I am content, however, now.

Although I’m in a long term relationship of 13 years, (after a horrible 13.5 year marriage prior), I will not ever marry this man. lol. That sounds terrible. Not because he is horrible…he is lovely and sweet. But because the convention didn’t work for me the first time, nor him. We own a home together, keep all other finances separate, sleep in separate rooms, have separate hobbies, and adore each other. Pretty darn happy this way. ❤😊

I am with you on almost everything, including the top sheet. Add to this, I do not wear makeup and I do not get my hair styled. A simple cut at a "bargain" hairdresser will do for me. The only one in my family that I will spend a lot of money on is my dog. I do what I want, I have learned to say no if it I don't feel like it (whatever "it" is), If the people around me don't like it, it is their problem, not mine. I am retired and 77 years old. It took me a long time to realize that the only person I have to make happy is me.

My husband is German and we use Twin Duvets w/bottom fitted sheet, just like in Europe. No more battle for the bed sheets! It's Fabulous!

I sleep with duvet covers. As sheets. It makes me happy. I try to explain occasionally, the norms are just rules someone else made up. Funny how some folks so desperately need to follow them. And I get wearing what you want/like. It’s silly following someone else’s idea of fashion. 69, and living alone by choice. I’m happiest this way.

More people should avoid fashion and wear same clothes like you (& me). It would help save the planet!

My mother got fed up with other people’s expectations of her and began to say, “I don’t have to “should”-as in, “You should do this, or you should do that!”

Embracing my hermit. I am quite a bit older than you, but at 60 I decided that I would embrace my solitude and stay home alone. I am done dealing with rude and obnoxious people.