Does having a new smartphone increase retirement happiness? Do we need a cell phone that does more than just make voice calls? Is learning how to use a smartphone essential for survival in the digital age? And how does this relate to retirement happiness? Last week my husband bought me a new iphone — not […]
Enjoying Retirement
Canadian Thanksgiving Celebrations
Canadian Thanksgiving is a time of celebration. Observed on the 2nd Monday of October and affectionately known as ‘Turkey Day’, Thanksgiving in Canada is closely linked with European harvest festivals. People gather for excursions, family events, and relaxation. In the Kitchener-Waterloo area of Ontario, Thanksgiving weekend means Oktoberfest celebrated with Germanic traditions of beer, […]
How NOT to Celebrate Your Husband’s Birthday
What should you not do to celebrate your husband’s birthday? What should you avoid? I’m exploring this topic today because my husband has another birthday coming tomorrow. After 48 years of marriage, we have celebrated many birthdays. Most of the birthdays have been happy celebrations with good feelings associated with wishes for many years of […]
Life Changes — Embracing Retirement
Retirement comes in many forms. It’s a time when life changes. Sometimes the changes come gradually. Sometimes the changes are deliberate and happen through personal choice. Sometimes the changes come due to circumstances that force retirement. When job loss drives the retirement decision, embracing retirement is inconceivable for most people. Finding work again — in a known […]
Do Pets Increase Retirement Happiness?
Studies show that pets increase retirement happiness, particularly among older people. The companionship of a beloved dog or cat boosts happiness, improves general well-being, and enhances life satisfaction. Pets reduce overall stress levels. If you come home to an empty house, pets will offer a greeting. Owners with pets have improved physical and mental health […]
What makes summer at the Cottage Special?
Summer days at the cottage are special. These are some of the happiest times in my retirement journey. I don’t have to do anything, be anywhere, or answer to anyone. We spend most of the summer at our cottage at Lake Huron where sandy beaches stretch for miles. The vistas of the lake change every […]
Do you fit the Perfect Retirement Image?
Does your retirement fit the perfect retirement image? Are you pursuing a life of perfect ease and relaxation? Are you travelling extensively, living in the perfect retirement house, achieving retirement goals, and living a dream retirement? Although I am happy with my retirement choices, I confess that I don’t have the perfect retirement. My husband […]
Lessons From An Unpredictable Week
It’s been a week of unpredictable events. Last Sunday I took my usual walk along the beach. The day was sunny and hot with just a gentle breeze blowing off the lake. The beach was quiet in the late afternoon. Here’s a shot of the beach where I walk — usually about 4.5 kilometres in […]
What’s your retirement brand?
What’s your retirement brand? Is there something that people automatically associate with you? Perhaps it’s your welcoming smile, or your cooking, or your deep knowledge of an obscure topic, or your signature perfume. How people think of you is your personal ‘brand’. It’s very ‘in’ to think of how you brand yourself. Although it’s difficult […]
Personal Rituals to Stay on Track
Personal rituals help us stay on track and increase retirement happiness. One of my favourite books, From Beginning to End — The Rituals of our Lives, by Robert Fulghum explores both public and private rituals that define the patterns of our lives. I have read and re-read sections of the book during different stages of my […]
