Let Them Hear Your Voice

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There’s a woman in the Uk who visits a train station to hear her late husband’s voice. He recorded the regular station “Mind the gap” announcement years ago and she “just loved to hear his voice.” It’s surprising that with all the technology that we have at our fingertips these days, that recording our voice… Continue reading Let Them Hear Your Voice

Happy Challenges, Happy Self

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Challenge is essential to my happiness. When someone asked me to imagine my best life, it would include some challenge. But finding the right amount of challenge is key. I can’t imagine a life without any problems to try to solve. I’m not talking about where to buy new winter tires or how to fix… Continue reading Happy Challenges, Happy Self

Learning To Say,“No.”

Working full-time gave me permission to opt out of things that I didn’t want to do. There wasn’t enough time to say, “Yes,” to everything. My time was occupied. Others understood this and I did too.  The Guilt Of Job-Free Time. Now, I have lots of time that isn’t formally structured. It’s like having a… Continue reading Learning To Say,“No.”

I’m a happier sandwich

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I’m a happier sandwich since I retired. I can support my family with something more important than money. I have time. The Sandwich Generation (ages 45 -64) provides the majority of care to older adults and it can range from 5 -30 hours per week*.  Now that I’m retired, I have the time to care… Continue reading I’m a happier sandwich

Routines: good riddance or good idea?

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One of the great joys of retirement is getting away from the daily grind: that routine. At first, it’s the most obvious benefit. I get to choose when I want to do things and no one will impose their routine on me anymore. It’s so freeing!  It’s not unlike being on holiday and knowing that… Continue reading Routines: good riddance or good idea?

Speed Of Life

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“Efficiency isn’t always the goal. Do you want to live your life in half the time it takes the average person?”  – a comic titled The Type A, Rhymes With Orange 2/24/2010. 13 years ago I cut out this comic when I was so super-busy with work and family that retirement was a far off… Continue reading Speed Of Life

Goals Make Me Happy

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When I was working, my goals were aligned with what I wanted to achieve for my students and in my teaching practice. They gave my days purpose and direction. As a retired person, I find that I need to set goals to give me a sense of purpose. Now, my goals are purely personal and… Continue reading Goals Make Me Happy

Internalized Ageism

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How do I feel about aging?  Retirement comes with the acknowledgement that time has passed and I am older… old. Then the internal conflict begins: I don’t feel old. I don’t want to be old. Do I? Seniors’ Day At Shoppers It’s that incongruous feeling that I got for the first time many years ago… Continue reading Internalized Ageism