A friendly smile as I walked down the hall, and sharing frustrations with a co-worker while un-jamming the photocopier, are two of the daily interactions that disappeared when I retired. At the time they seemed fairly insignificant to my overall wellbeing. How could venting to a colleague about the construction that delayed our commute, support… Continue reading Cultivating Three Spaces For Your Wellbeing
Category: Mental Health
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
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
Night Owls and Early Birds: Creating A Routine
Once I retired from my stressful work schedule, I realized that I needed to create my own routine. Drifting aimlessly from day to day wasn’t an option for me. I felt stressed and unfocused. Nothing got done! A routine is essential part of a healthy life for three main reasons: What a great opportunity this… Continue reading Night Owls and Early Birds: Creating A Routine
“Put yourself in a position where you can never be lonely.”
“Put yourself in a position where you can never be lonely.” I keep returning to these words, spoken to me in a conversation by a woman I’d just met. “Put yourself in a position where you can never be lonely.” Regularly Reach Out With Texts It’s a hopeful statement that empowers each of us. We… Continue reading “Put yourself in a position where you can never be lonely.”
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
Brain Foggy November
Lately, the fog seems to roll in mid-afternoon and stay for the rest of the day. My will to focus and plan clouds over, and I settle for doing repetitive tasks that take little concentration. I want to expand my window of energy, or at least, re-charge it when it flags. I have things to… Continue reading Brain Foggy November
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
What Do You Reach For In Stressful Times?
I’m rekindling part of my cultural heritage, in times of stress. Recently, I was reading a wonderful book about building resilience by deepening your relationship with your body. Who doesn’t want to be able to bounce back a bit more often from the stress and tension of everyday life? (I’ll link the book below.*) I’m… Continue reading What Do You Reach For In Stressful Times?
“What Was Easy?”
We’ve all had days where you get to the evening and your mind is spinning with the troubling events that have happened that day. It makes it hard to unwind and sleep. After learning about a shocking development in our neighbourhood recently, I was having difficulty pausing my thoughts so that I could get to… Continue reading “What Was Easy?”
Retired, And Now What? 