Travel has a deep impact on my life. It’s not just about reconnecting with family and friends, and visiting the sites, it’s also about immersing myself in a different way of living, even for just a short while. It gives me more than just a new experience and some great pictures to take home. It… Continue reading Travel Changes Me
Category: Growth And Change
Investing In The Fitness Of My 90 Year Old Self
Over the years, I’ve done aerobics, step aerobics, fitness with weights, yoga, belly dancing, Zumba and, most recently, Pilates. I used to be in classes of all young people, mostly women. Now, my Pilates’ class contains many midlife women. We are the same people, raised on the fitness culture of the 70’s, and 80’s. Jane… Continue reading Investing In The Fitness Of My 90 Year Old Self
Reclaiming The Word Retire
It’s not a new idea. For more than a decade people have shunned using the word “retire.”* It creates a visceral gut-punch response from active, and engaged folks who find themselves at that point in their lives where they’re leaving full-time careers. We know that we’ve technically retired from our jobs, but don’t call us… Continue reading Reclaiming The Word Retire
An Adaptable Routine With Energy Accounting
Developing a basic daily routine was something that evolved over the first couple of years, as I transitioned out of teaching, through becoming a student, to finally starting my own business. My daily routine became a base but it’s not static. It does require adjustments throughout the week. I’m keenly aware of burnout these days… Continue reading An Adaptable Routine With Energy Accounting
Shaking Up What You Think You Know About Yourself.
Have you ever seen the moon when it’s on the horizon? It looks massive and yet we know it hasn’t changed size. It’s a matter of our perspective: the way our brains are processing the information. Did you know that if you look upside down at the same moon, it will appear its normal size?*… Continue reading Shaking Up What You Think You Know About Yourself.
Teaching Partners: Turning Good Intentions Into Actions
Every February, there was a literary convention in town, Reading For The Love Of It.* It was a highlight on the calendar that was sorely needed when we were in the months of snowsuits, puddles of wet slush, lost mittens, and damp socks. It re-energized me to see all the newly published books, get some… Continue reading Teaching Partners: Turning Good Intentions Into Actions
Who Are You?
NOTE: Written below are the raw reactions that I had years ago, when I was newly retired from teaching. If you’ve recently retired, perhaps you can relate. Originally published January, 2023. Suddenly I’m not me anymore and it’s jarring. All my adult life I’ve been a teacher. It’s who I was. But what is a… Continue reading Who Are You?
The Thrill Of Learning A New Skill
What’s a skill that you were thrilled to learn last year? I am delighted to have just finished knitting my second pair of socks. I really surprised myself with how much satisfaction I got from this, and how proud I am for creating a fun, wearable, item. It Happened “Out Of The Blue” Last year,… Continue reading The Thrill Of Learning A New Skill
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
Personal Long Range Plans/Vision Board
At the beginning of 2025, I created a Personal Long Range Plan for the year. Some might call it a Vision Board. It was my first time making one. When I messed about with collage and paints to create it during the quiet days before New Years’, I didn’t realize how helpful it would be.… Continue reading Personal Long Range Plans/Vision Board
Retired, And Now What? 