Recently, a friend shared that she was astounded by her friend’s 50th birthday choice: a secret holiday. He took himself away from his family (wife and kids) for a 2 week holiday at a secret location that he didn’t share with, or talk to anyone about, before or after he went.* He wanted to travel… Continue reading The Secret Holiday
Category: Family Life
Buy Nothing Summer Fun
It’s so easy and convenient to spend money when I’m enjoying the Summer. Grabbing an iced drink while I explore the local flea market with my daughter, meeting a friend for lunch, or even enjoying an ice cream after watching a movie at our local revue cinema, means spending a shocking amount of money. It… Continue reading Buy Nothing Summer Fun
The On-Call Retiree
A person retired, is a person on-call. You have the flexibility to do things when you want to, and to be available when others are working. As a result, the world has a way of filling your time without you making a conscience choice. The Obligations Creep In I’ve seen this happen. At first you… Continue reading The On-Call Retiree
A Cat, A Dog, And Routines That Stick
I resist a routine at the same time as really craving one. It’s a paradox that became glaringly obvious when I left the schedule of full-time work. When I retired, I both loved the flexibility of doing whatever I liked with a day, while at the same time feeling lost when I drifted without focus.… Continue reading A Cat, A Dog, And Routines That Stick
Reclaiming My Holiday Spirit
My holiday spirit is slowly returning after an all-time low several years ago. I was resentful of all the obligations of the season. I was burnt out from teaching during a pandemic. I was numb. It’s taken years of intentional changes to get here. But this December, I don’t feel panicked and overwhelmed for the… Continue reading Reclaiming My Holiday Spirit
What Do You Do With Their Room?
Everyday I walk into a room with spaces where pictures once lined the walls, a bookcase full of books that are not for me, and a closet of forgotten clothes and childhood memories. My cat has taken over a corner of the space with her litter box and cat tree, but the room still feels… Continue reading What Do You Do With Their Room?
Life Balance Is A Moving Target
Life balance is a moving target. No one secures a bullseye in life balance. Our life circumstances are too changeable and varied from one week to the next. However, it is a worthy target to aim for because it keeps us readjusting and moving in a direction that feeds us with energy and keeps us… Continue reading Life Balance Is A Moving Target
Processing Bittersweet Times
Bittersweet has to be one of the most painful emotions that I’ve experienced. Moments that brought it on included my retirement, my daughter leaving for university, and when we moved homes. These are major life events that change things forever, but have at their core both joy and grief. Feeling The Confusion Of Bittersweet… Continue reading Processing Bittersweet Times
“Mankeeping” In Midlife
Maintaining strong friendships throughout our lives is a key factor in living a happy, healthy, long life.** Creating, developing, and maintaining social connections gets harder as we get older. Once you retire, there is a huge shift because you suddenly lose daily contact with work colleagues. It’s one of the key areas that newly-retired folks… Continue reading “Mankeeping” In Midlife
Making Room For Holiday Fun
With all the busyness of the holiday season, making room for fun can get ignored. It’s ironic that a time when everyone is “supposed” to be enjoying themselves, that I’ve often felt overwhelmed and stressed.** It became a season of gritting my teeth and getting it done, for myself and for many women I know.… Continue reading Making Room For Holiday Fun
Retired, And Now What? 