The 21st Century has created an epidemic known as FOMO which is an acronym for a syndrome loosely defined as ‘fear of missing out’. FOMO is often used as a descriptor of the angst that is experienced over the deluge of data and information available through social media. FOMO grabs people and makes them constantly […]
Time for you
Optimize Retirement Happiness with the Right Choices for You
Image via Wikipedia It’s now 18 months since I retired. As I look back at my decisions about retirement lifestyle, I am pleased that most were right for me — up to this point. To retire with spirit and make the most of the third age that is unencumbered by career or child-rearing responsibilities is […]
How do you know what to ignore in your retirement?
It’s that time of year when many people make resolutions. The traditional resolutions — to lose (or gain) weight, to start an exercise program, to clear the clutter, to eat better, to sleep more, to eliminate debt are familiar categories. I freed myself from resolutions a few years ago and began writing down my aspirations […]
Musings about Christmas Tree Trimming Rituals
Our house is moving into high gear to get ready for Christmas celebrations. Because of our vacation in early December everything is behind schedule. By some miracle we have sent the cards and letters, planned the menus, and begun the shopping. We have simplified much of the hoopla of Christmas. The tree trimming ritual is an […]
Why vacations make you happier
On the weekend we returned from our first real vacation in over a year. Spending time on the relaxed island of St. Kitts was just what we needed to gain a new perspective about life. Until we took the vacation, neither of us realized how vacations can restore the soul and renew energy levels. This […]
Retirement freedom — Moving beyond 'obligation'
Since retiring I am free to set my own schedule. Obligations on the work front are distant memories. Most current ‘obligations’ fit into a category of ‘optional’. However, moving into a head space where I no longer feel that it is necessary to agree to requests has been more of a retirement challenge than anticipated. […]
Do you suffer from 'brain' overload?
Our brains are constantly bombarded with stimulation. Smart phones, emails, social media, internet, television and other forms of infotainment raise the levels of physiological and nervous activity in our brains and in our bodies. Information overload, too many choices for human powers of attention, and constant demands for decisions stretch our brain-power to capacity. Technology […]
Retirement — Time to Play
“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face” — Victor Hugo With retirement comes the opportunity to swat a worried face and to swap those long ‘to do’ lists for serious fun. This is the time to re-discover play and to spend time every day just having fun — and replacing frowns […]
Do you make time for silence in your life?
Learn to get in touch with the silence within yourself and know that everything in this life has a purpose. — Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Last weekend my husband and I arrived at our cottage late on Saturday afternoon after attending yet another funeral. As we grow older, these funerals and memorials happen too frequently. We were both drained […]
Are you making each day count — strategies to ensure you keep growing
We say we waste time, but that is impossible. We waste ourselves. Alice Bloch quote Last weekend I attended a retirement event in honour of the career of a former colleague. It was a great chance to re-connect with people who I had known during my career. The reception provided opportunities to catch up with […]
