I didn’t realize how important discomfort would be during my journey from retired teacher to something else. I knew there would be challenges and change but I didn’t understand how essential it would be to accept not feeling comfortable, to realize that it’s a good thing. The Familiar Is Comfortable. My automatic reaction to discomfort… Continue reading Getting Familiar With Discomfort
Author: Caroline@retiredandnowwhat.ca
I'm a life coach discovering the opportunities and growth in midlife and beyond.
Searching For The Lost Things
I did it again. I put something in a safe place only to be unable to find it when I need it. It’s infuriating because I know that I didn’t throw it out! Ironically, I managed to keep it safe even from myself. Why does this happen and how can I stop myself from doing… Continue reading Searching For The Lost Things
Enjoying A Sideways Move
In my early years of teaching I made my first move from teaching kindergarten to teaching grade one, and I was met with a strange response from the parent community: congratulations. It made me laugh, and slightly annoyed. People outside the field of education equate an opportunity to teach a higher grade as a promotion.… Continue reading Enjoying A Sideways Move
Senior People
Senior management. Senior partner. Put the word “senior” in front of “judge” or “senator” and it conjures up an image of extensive experience, vast knowledge, and confident leadership. Now, place the word “senior” in front of domestic labels: senior care, senior portion and senior home. The image is one of fragility. Gone is the impact… Continue reading Senior People
Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Changing my intention and trusting that this will help has been a tough lesson to learn. It’s been difficult because I resist letting go. I want to control the situation and make it happen. But the truth is that all I need to do is change my intention and then trust the process and the… Continue reading Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Making Decisions I’m Happier With
Decide now. React now. Do it now! There’s a lot of pressure to respond immediately when faced with anything from a simple social invitation to a more important broken fridge. When a disagreement happens, or a problem with the car appears, I feel an urgency to tackle it right away. The teacher in me always… Continue reading Making Decisions I’m Happier With
Older And Progressive
There are many ageist beliefs that I’ve seen at work, but the idea that older teachers are more conservative in their methods than the younger ones is a pet peeve of mine. Perhaps you’ve seen it in your job, where the younger employees assume that the older ones are out of touch and backwards? They’ll… Continue reading Older And Progressive
Sizing-Up Clothing
Most people I know have a complex relationship with clothing sizes. I have clothes in my closet that used to fit properly but now don’t. It’s a constant struggle as each new season starts, trying on clothes from last year to realize that they no longer fit. For years I used to beat myself up… Continue reading Sizing-Up Clothing
Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
It can be embarrassing. I’ve been standing at the counter paying for a book and suddenly I’m sharing all about why I love this book and what this author means to me. The salesperson usually smiles politely as they hand me my receipt and I walk away sheepishly, realizing I’ve overshared…again. Self-Awareness I was lucky… Continue reading Oversharing: Rambling On To Others
When/Then Thinking
“When it’s a special occasion, then I will use my mother’s china dishes.” This is an example of when/then thinking. I don’t use the dishes until there’s a holiday. It’s remarkable how much this mindset has reduced the joy I let myself experience as an adult! “When my body looks a certain way, then I’ll… Continue reading When/Then Thinking
Retired, And Now What? 