I know I took for granted the importance of the community that I had when I was working. I didn’t take the individuals for granted, I failed to appreciate the importance of my co-workers as a group, a community. We were people in the same industry, affected by the same whims of policy, and working… Continue reading Creating A Work Community
Category: Retirement Tools
Internal “Wrinkles”
Everyone is familiar with the external effects of aging. It comes as no surprise that over time skin wrinkles and hair greys. But what are the common internal effects of aging? It’s rarely talked about. One day it dawns on you, that maybe an issue that you thought was unique to you, is actually something… Continue reading Internal “Wrinkles”
Fortifying Your New Direction
It’s discouraging to toil away at something that’s meaningful to you and not receive any recognition. You start to think, “What’s the point? Why bother when no one else seems to care?” But that is the exact moment when this will help: the mere exposure effect. What is the mere exposure effect? It’s a psychological… Continue reading Fortifying Your New Direction
Not If, But When, You Exercise
Did you know that the time of day that you exercise effects the results that you achieve? I didn’t. Like most people, I’ve struggled to find a consistent time to exercise. When I was working, there were only a few spots in my schedule where exercise would fit. There wasn’t much choice. As a retired… Continue reading Not If, But When, You Exercise
Deep Conversations
There’s nothing I like more than sitting down, cup of tea in hand, to have a meaningful chat with someone. When I was teaching, having even a moment in the week to sit down with someone was almost unheard of. Life was too busy, too rushed, for conversations. Now, there is time for meeting at… Continue reading Deep Conversations
Barriers To Asking For Help
Part 2 in Rethinking Help (click here to read part 1) I see the value of accepting help for the giver, who shares their support, and the receiver, who is supported. It builds connection between friends and family and is mutually beneficial. Accepting help is like accepting a gift, it strengthens bonds. But my independent… Continue reading Barriers To Asking For Help
Rethinking Accepting Help
I will admit that I’m not great at accepting help. Recently, it came as a revelation that allowing others to help me, may be truly meaningful to them. I’d never considered help from the perspective of the giver before. I thought that I was “taking” from others when I asked for their assistance. I resisted… Continue reading Rethinking Accepting Help
Celebrate Your Wins
It’s both physically and literally difficult to pat yourself on the back. When you accomplish small steps, do you celebrate? It’s a foreign idea for me to get my head around. It seems like bragging or “blowing your own horn:” embarrassingly self-serving. However, there is value in celebrating those wins. A Checklist Is Not Sufficient… Continue reading Celebrate Your Wins
Who Inspires You?
Older women who are living their lives authentically without a worry about cultural norms or fashions, are inspiring to me. They are folks who have designed their life to suit them, not their partners or children or society. Some start businesses, some sell their homes and travel, some learn new skills, and others continue to… Continue reading Who Inspires You?
Your Ship Has Not Sailed
I was guilty of this too. I thought that because I was retired there were certain ships that had left my harbour forever: boats that I would never travel on, and places I would never explore. This year, I’ve learned a lot, but the biggest ah-ha moment came when I realized that this thinking was… Continue reading Your Ship Has Not Sailed