Do you have big dreams? For some, retiring in midlife means learning to adapt to a different rhythm of life, developing new social connections, and finding a hobby or two that they’re passionate about. It’s about spending time with family, and that may include grandchildren. There’s nothing wrong with this version of life. It sounds… Continue reading Dream Big!
Category: Happier Me
Regular Bathing Benefits
Recently, I discovered a calming, relatively affordable practice that leaves me feeling happier, and able to settle into sleep more easily. After being forced by some minor bathroom renovations that left our shower out of commission for a week, I was forced to take regular baths. The results surprised me. It’s not like I haven’t… Continue reading Regular Bathing Benefits
The Healing Of Romance
Back when I taught kindergarten, I’d frequently spend Saturday gathering picture books from my local library to support the unit we were working on. Then, I’d stand at the checkout desk with my arms full of volcano, or bear, picture books waiting my turn behind an older woman. Inevitably, she’d have a huge stack of… Continue reading The Healing Of Romance
The Secret Holiday
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
Recovering From Unplanned Naps
I hate taking a nap. It’s not the actual sleep part that bothers me. It’s that feeling that I get when I wake up. I will fight myself and resist falling asleep in the afternoon, even when I’m sleep deprived, to avoid the awful groggy consequences. It just doesn’t seem worth it. Napping was… Continue reading Recovering From Unplanned Naps
Giving Yourself Permission To Be Happier
Every year I wish her a happy birthday. She rarely replies and we don’t communicate for the rest of the year. We used to work together many years ago. Do you think it’s ok to stop messaging her? By midlife, often the only one stopping us from feeling happier is ourselves. We don’t give ourselves… Continue reading Giving Yourself Permission To Be Happier
Why Do I Need Purpose?
Find something that you can do slow, that you can do forever and still love it, that still gives you meaning.” – Christina Koch, Artemis II astronaut Why do I need purpose after I retire? Can’t I spend the rest of my days enjoying my life – just living it? What’s wrong with that? I… Continue reading Why Do I Need Purpose?
Unlearning To Live With My Cup At Capacity
I know that it’s not healthy to live with my cup at capacity all the time, with my nervous system fully activated. There are good reasons why I’ve ignored the overwhelm and continued to push through, such as supporting someone through illness, or teaching through a pandemic. However, when the immediate crisis was over and… Continue reading Unlearning To Live With My Cup At Capacity
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
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
Retired, And Now What? 