Since retiring in 2010, I marvel at the person I’ve become. I look back at my younger self and realize how much I’ve changed and evolved. I’m gradually feeling calmer, kinder, even happier as I grow older. Calmness The sense of calm comes from good health habits. I cook and eat nutritious whole foods, get regular […]
Models of Aging
Laugh lines — Are they beautiful?
When discussing the joys and hazards of aging, we sometimes hear the comment that laugh lines are beautiful. Is the comment sincere? Is it authentic? Or, is it ingratiating and falsely flattering? Is there an implied criticism of how you look? Too often we look at ourselves and say something like, “I look so old”. […]
Thoughts on Turning 70
As my birthday approaches, I have many thoughts on turning 70. It seems that milestone birthdays — especially those that mark another decade merit reflection. I’ve now lived seven decades of my life. It’s truly a time for reflection! I’m looking back at old journals as I can’t recall each of these important decade birthdays. […]
Dealing with change
Dealing with change in retirement is important. Like most people, I like to think that I’m good at dealing with change. I can adapt. But recently, I had to confront myself. Our niece was visiting us last month. The conversation turned to tactics for protecting the brain and keeping it active to assist in warding […]
FOGO and The Art of Aging
What is FOGO and how does it relate to the art of aging? Let’s begin with the easy part. FOGO is the short form for Fear of Getting Old. Getting old is inevitable. For many, FOGO begins in teenage years, accelerates with every decade, and becomes more of a pre-occupation if you are fortunate to […]
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 […]
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 […]
Happiness in Retirement — Fighting Ageism
Ageism, discrimination based on age and usually focused on the elderly, is destructive, patronizing and exclusionary. It can lead to fear, discrimination, and damaged self-esteem. There is little doubt that older adults living in Western society fall victim to aspects of ageism. Researchers indicate that by age 40, many businesses consider men ‘too old’ to be hired […]
5 Essentials for Aging Successfully
Most postworksavvy folks want to have a long and successful retirement. We want to age ‘successfully’. But sometimes we sabotage ourselves because we have not developed a strategy for retirement. In my postworksavvy experience there are 5 Essentials to consider in your strategy for aging successfully. Physical Activity. No retirement will be successful with health problems that hold […]
Why aging does not have to be a losing battle
Everybody wants the benefits of good health in retirement. Aging is not a losing battle. Senility, grouchiness, poor memory, body aches and pains don’t necessarily go with aging. Taking care of your health requires a few good habits that are neither costly nor onerous. Most of these habits become enjoyable as they become part of […]
