“Oh Canada, our home and native land” — we’ll sing these words of the national anthem tomorrow as we celebrate Canada Day, our national holiday. Canada Day is a time to contemplate the benefits and privileges of Canadian citizenship. Here are my top ten. 1. I value the Charter of Rights and Freedoms which forms […]
Happiness in Retirement
Positive Self-Talk and Positive Thinking
One of the secrets of a happy retirement is using positive self-talk and positive thinking. I’ve had a reminder of this truth in the last few days. After their annual health examination, our veterinarian recommended that our 13-year-old cats needed to be anesthetized to have their teeth cleaned and to have extractions of decayed teeth. […]
Boredom — or Too Many Choices?
Is there a link between boredom and too many choices? Does choice overload lead to boredom? Does it lead to longing for more simplicity? No matter what decision is needed, there are many options to consider before choosing. At the grocery store, the cereal aisle features box after attractive box of cereal. The varieties are […]
Retirement Indulgences
Retirement indulgences are highly individualistic pleasures. Some consider them ‘guilty pleasures’. I consider retirement indulgences the benefits of life after work. Retirement indulgences are those pleasures that give enjoyment and make life worth living. There is no guilt involved. Retirement is the time in life to indulge in freedoms that come with growing older, […]
Is retirement easier for women than for men?
Is it true that retirement is easier for women than for men? It’s commonly believed that women, regardless of marital status, find retirement easier. A happy retirement depends on more than gender. Health, family, and financial circumstances derail retirement plans for men and women alike. Once retired, however, women tend to find retirement easier. In […]
Are busy people happier in retirement?
Are busy people happier in retirement? Does keeping busy create good feelings? Does keeping busy give purpose and meaning to every day? Most retired people are admonished to ‘take it easy’. We are told to relax and ‘smell the roses’. Yet, for many, idleness creates boredom. If you, like me, learned to regard busyness as […]
7 Reasons Why Smart People Struggle with Retirement
Why do smart people struggle with retirement? After decades of work, many take a hard look at their finances including pensions and government benefits. Next comes the decision to retire. After the hoopla of retirement celebrations, many question this decision. There are a few weeks — or months — of feeling that life is an […]
Retirement Happiness and Positive Psychology
In recent weeks I’ve been researching positive psychology for guest posts that I write for a UK newsletter. I’ve been considering how the principles of positive psychology can increase retirement happiness. The field of positive psychology is largely attributed to the work of Martin Seligman. Positive psychology seeks to understand the nature of happiness and […]
Retirement Happiness — Staying Relevant
Staying relevant is important for retirement happiness. The world changes everyday. Most often we attribute the pace of change to technology. But there are also legal changes, economic changes, language changes, style changes. When there is no need to prove professional competence in the workplace, staying relevant and abreast of changes is challenging. Without interaction […]
Does the way we think matter?
Paying attention to the way we think matters. Thoughts create reality through memories, observations, judgements, perceptions and intentions. People flourish with a healthy mindset that is focused on positive, worthwhile things. When we think positive and not negative thoughts, when we are careful with self-criticism, and when we treat others with respect, we cultivate the […]
