Why do we feel we need to justify our passion projects? “I’m writing this memoir for the grandkids.” “I’m making these quilts as a legacy for my children.” Did we ask them? Probably not. A passion project is for you. Creating anything is primarily for the creator’s benefit: to express themselves, to develop their skills,… Continue reading A Passion Project Is For You
Category: Reframe Your Thinking
A Day Of Wander
A few years ago, I found myself alone downtown on a Saturday morning. I had to drop something off before nine. Done. Suddenly, there I was with my notebook, a novel and a water bottle in my bag on a sunny, warm morning, and no plans for the rest of the day. No one needed… Continue reading A Day Of Wander
A Borrower And A Lender Be
I’m not a minimalist but I do try to use what I purchase. I don’t like to be wasteful. However, I have been known to go on a shopping spree to fill a need for a special event. It’s difficult to accept an invitation for a wedding without accepting the likelihood of buying new clothes… Continue reading A Borrower And A Lender Be
Seeking Contentment
It is the perfect day when I look at it objectively: a slower pace with space to create, and gentle surroundings. If I had imagined a perfect day in the future as I was retiring from teaching, this would be it. But humming through me, there’s a disturbing feeling of dissatisfaction that surprises me. No… Continue reading Seeking Contentment
Are You As Old As You Feel?
Society may feel that you are older. It was a rude awakening to have my bank automatically change the name of my account to “seniors’,” the month that I turned 60. Suddenly my age meant that I was being perceived as a senior by a major institution. I thought I’d have at least 5 more… Continue reading Are You As Old As You Feel?
Just Start Imperfectly
There’s a time to let go of a project and accept that it’s good enough for now. Since I retired and moved onto other things, there have been lots of firsts. Creating a website, writing a blog post, opening a coaching business, and creating a brand, are just some of the big firsts. With each… Continue reading Just Start Imperfectly
Fun as an antidote to difficult times
Glimmers and gratitude are great, but fun is where it’s at. Fun is changing my daily experience one small moment at a time. Fun is something that I actively seek and it brings joyful sparks to the day. It can be playing hide and seek with the dog, or putting sprinkles on my ice cream.… Continue reading Fun as an antidote to difficult times
Getting A Tattoo?
For me, part of starting down a new path has been embracing a new version of me. The new me has tattoos. It took me a while to overcome the barriers that I’d acquired, for me to get my first tattoo three years ago. When I reflected on these obstacles I realized something surprising. Those… Continue reading Getting A Tattoo?
Hold It Lightly
Midlife is a time for trying new things and with new experiences come many challenges and obstacles to work around. That’s part of the fun and frustration of learning. Generally, I love learning new skills and ideas. In the process of learning, there are obstacles that seem very important to master in order to make… Continue reading Hold It Lightly
“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
Retired, And Now What? 