Maj Gen Ranjan Mahajan (Retd)
I retired at 58 years of age after a thrilling 35+ years as an Indian Army Infantry officer, where every day tested the limits of body and mind. The life forged unbreakable fitness and resilience, but it exacted a steep price: summoning raw courage to cling to healthy routines amid brutal field postings, freezing high-altitude battles, and relentless counter-insurgency or anti-terror operations. Exercise and runs often fell by the wayside as operational duties consumed us, over half my career vanished in these high-stakes environments of ambushes, patrols, and survival.
In the thin air of High Altitude, I commanded Platoon/Company & Brigade through blizzards, avalanches and intense counter infiltrations & terrorism operations. High-octane exercises in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert honed us into a razor-sharp force, culminating in national-level honors for our battalion’s flawless execution of live-fire maneuvers. I led daring operations in the unforgiving terrains of Jammu & Kashmir.
The happiness was visceral, those euphoric dawns after outmaneuvering terrorists in intense operations, the unbreakable brotherhood forged in foxholes over shared rations and war stories. In fact, I am proud to share that my book “Kashmir in the Line of Fire” has recently been released.
As we charge through such an electrifying Army life, turning 60 sharpens our perspective: time is our scarcest asset, and choices now sculpt our joy, vitality, and inner peace. And similar are the situations for others who reach this stage through different routes. This milestone sparks deep reflection, realignment, and daring reinvention. Youth’s priorities fade; shedding stale habits, roles, and expectations paves the way for profound serenity and purpose. Here are some meaningful changes made and things I let go of after turning sixty and how each one transformed my life in ways I never expected. This is something my fellow citizens and friends, especially those who are reaching or have crossed the 60th milestone, may also wish to consider.
(1) Stop Neglecting Self-Care:
For most of my life, self-care seemed like an indulgence, not a must-have. I always put work, family, and duties first, often sidelining my own well-being. Reaching 60 hit like a revelation. First, I made sleep a priority, crafting a soothing bedtime ritual for deep, restorative rest. Then came nutrition: I tuned into my choices, opting for nourishing foods that energized rather than sapped me. We’re down to two meals a day now, and I’m lucky to have my smart, caring wife keeping things balanced, she’s ditched non-vegetarian cooking at home, and I’ve fully adapted. Brisk morning walks paired with light yoga and targeted light workouts! Mental and emotional care mattered just as much. I unlocked meditation and mindfulness (huge thanks to my wife again), staying grounded and easing stress.
(2) Stop Working for the Sake of Working:
In our younger years, it’s common to get swept up in the grind of working long hours by design or default, driven by the desire to climb the career ladder or secure financial stability. However, after turning sixty, I realized that working purely for the sake of being busy or out of habit no longer served me. As we age, the desire to overextend ourselves for productivity often loses its allure. The wisdom gained through years of experience and having risen to the rank of Major General through all kinds of grinds taught me that more hours of work does not necessarily mean more fulfillment or success. Now I approach work with intention. I ask myself, why am I working these extra hours? What purpose does it serve? If the work isn’t contributing to a meaningful goal or passion, I choose to step back. This shift has brought a renewed sense of balance and fulfillment into my life.
(3) Letting go of Sweating the Small Stuff:
Life is far too precious to waste on worries that truly don’t matter. In my younger years, I would get upset over little setbacks, minor workplace conflicts, or even something as simple as a missed opportunity. But as I stepped into my sixties, I began to see how trivial most of those concerns were in the larger picture of life. I started asking myself, “Will this matter a year from now?” If the answer was no, I chose to release it. Stressing over what I cannot control only drained my energy and stole the joy of the present. Now, I focus on what lies within my power and make peace with what does not. This shift in thinking has been freeing, helping me face life with greater calm, clarity, and balance.
(4) No more Mindless Spending:
In our consumer-driven society, it’s easy to fall into the trap of spending money on things we don’t really need. When I look back, for years, we bought items out of habit or because we thought they would bring us happiness. But as I’ve aged, I’ve realized that material possessions rarely offer lasting fulfillment. We only purchase things that truly add value to our life or bring us genuine joy, whether it’s an experience that enriches our soul or a product that improves our quality of life. This shift has not only helped us save financially but has also made us more aware of what truly matters.
(5) No Over-Committing to Others
For years, I habitually overcommitted myself to others, agreeing to invitations, events, and favors even when I didn’t want to, often out of fear of letting people down or falling short of their expectations. I strove to be a dependable friend, family member, or colleague, consistently prioritizing their needs over mine, usually with the best intentions. This extended to fulfilling countless requests, especially around “Fauji” matters like recruitment challenges, medical concerns, and more. After reaching 60, I discovered the value of saying no, not to everything, but with genuine politeness, which had always felt challenging before. This change let me invest in relationships and pursuits that truly mattered, ditching yeses driven by duty for commitments that enriched my life. Healthy boundaries also mean I show up more authentically for those I cherish or who truly need me, offering sustainable presence and support. Mastering “no” stands as one of the toughest yet most liberating lessons of my 60s. It handed back control of my time, energy, and, in the end, my happiness.
(6) Stop Procrastination on Personal Goals:
As years accumulate, time accelerates, turning youthful dreams into faint echoes. For 35 years, amid time-bound duties for myself and Indian Army organizations, I kept shelving personal pursuits and adventures, promising “later” would arrive. But 60 hit like an alarm: waiting for the ideal moment risked waiting eternally, now was it. I ditched the delay and dove in. From mastering a new skill (becoming an Open Water Diver at 59) to exploring fresh destinations or making my long-awaited book “Kashmir in the Line of Fire”a reality, I pledged to seize remaining days. Journaling lets me unpack thoughts and feelings, sparking insight and balance. It’s fueled my writing and I’ve penned many articles as well. For me, self-care is non-negotiable, a daily pledge to honor my own needs, ensuring I keep showing up fully for the people and passions I cherish. I must confess: it’s still a work in progress.
(7) Quitting the Fear of Change for Good:
Change is inevitable, but I many times clung to the familiar, even when it no longer served me. But as I entered my 60s, I began to realize that change isn’t something to resist, it’s something to embrace. Life is full of transitions, and each one offers an opportunity for growth and new experiences. I started to view change as an invitation to evolve, learn, and adapt. Whether it was adjusting to changes in my health, relationships, or the circumstances around me, I learned to face them with curiosity rather than dread. Embracing change has been incredibly freeing. It’s helped me feel more alive, more adaptable, and more open to the possibilities that each day brings.
(8) Avoid Excessive Screen Time and Mobile Phone Addiction:
Post-retirement, I dove into Social Media but quickly realised that it is actually draining my energy. I seized control, ditching excessive screen time and phone addictions, proving at 60 it’s never too late to reclaim focus and freedom. This liberation has sparked clarity, genuine connections, and positive transformation. I’m proud to share it as a testament to resilient change. But I must confess that it’s always “Work in Progress”.
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