Finding a post retirement identity is a process that involves transitions. I realize that I am slowly making these transitions during this wonderful third stage of life. Just over a year ago when I retired from work, I was gaga with all the new-found time and freedom that was suddenly available. Now I realize that […]
Pre-retirement considerations
Retirement Observations — one year out and it still feels like a vacation
Today marks one year since I left the office, put my briefcase into a corner and started retirement. It’s one year later and every day still feels like a vacation! The first 365 days of retirement have been wonderful. Moreover, I am confident that next year will be better yet. I look to the future […]
What are your real retirement needs?
During this week I listened to a CBC radio program on aging in Canada. Part of the program featured telephone calls from retired people from across the country. Many comments were heart wrenching with stories of arbitrary reductions of company pensions, attempts to live on Old Age Security and Canada Pension Benefits, concerns about failing […]
Commuting — Is it destroying your soul?
In the past two weeks, I had to travel to downtown Toronto from my comfy suburban roost twice to attend meetings of boards on which I participate. I love the work on these boards and the meetings (aside from preparation — meeting packages are often over 200 pages in length) are interesting. But I do […]
How much 'life' is it costing you to keep working?
The cost of a thing is the amount of what I call life which is required to be exchanged for it, immediately and in the long run. — Henry David Thoreau It’s a bit more than a year ago that I submitted a letter to the Board of Directors indicating that I would retire in […]
Those last days at the office
As the count down (15,14,13,12,11,10………….days left) marches relentlessly forward and only a few days of work are left, worry about using the time effectively strikes. People provide advice to take long lunches, to enjoy the last meetings, to arrive late and to leave early. I find myself ignoring all of the advice and proceeding through my days at […]
Surviving the Retirement 'Event'
Recently a colleague confided that she was looking forward to many aspects of retirement but was dreading the sendoff — the ‘event’ where she would be recognized and feted. This sentiment was echoed in speaking with another friend who told me that he had been adamant about not wanting any dinner or reception or other […]
What will I do 'after' work?
Oh my goodness — there are only three months left until I stop going to the office every day. My ‘to do’ list has been prepared and I am working on completion of projects for which I have responsibility. I am also starting to prepare transfer notes for my successor once that person is named by […]
Decision Time
Let’s assume that you are in the wonderful place where the decision to retire is yours and yours alone. This decision is often taken for us — by employers forcing downsizing or lay-offs, by poor health, by working in an age-restricted industry. Sometimes a spouse or partner is creating pressure to retire — especially if […]
