In early January, I started crafting a blog post about letting go. Messages were coming at me from many different sources about letting go of what can’t be changed and accepting what is. To acknowledge pain, sadness, or anger, but also to let them go. It's fascinating to me when messages you need to hear … Continue reading Learning to Let it Go
Author: patwdoyle11
An Unexpected Final Good-bye
I had originally been crafting a blog post entitled “Caregiver Learning” which included quotes and insights from my reading about dealing with someone with cognitive decline. Being an avid learner, I was reading about being a primary caregiver to someone with dementia, at both moderate and advanced stages. I had not yet gotten to … Continue reading An Unexpected Final Good-bye
A Look Back on 2022 Blog Posts
I was intrigued by some other bloggers looking back on their year of posting and decided to follow suit. I was looking for some insights for myself, to see how far I’ve come in my own retirement journey, and maybe for some inspiration to keep blogging, And completing this review gave me a feeling of … Continue reading A Look Back on 2022 Blog Posts
Rocky Start to 2023
It’s been a rocky start to the year. I’ve tried to keep my blog “real” and talk the good, the bad, and the ugly about Retirement Transitions. I wrote (blog link here) about some of the challenges I’m facing in my mom’s 500-mile move to an Assisted Living facility near me. This blog talks about … Continue reading Rocky Start to 2023
Life is Full of Transitions
And retirement life is no different in having major life transitions. Some transitions are planned, some are unexpected, and some planned but have a lot of uncertainty still involved. Beyond the transition of leaving a full-time career, other life transitions in my own retirement years included starting and ending a consulting “second career”, dealing with … Continue reading Life is Full of Transitions
2022 Year in Review
In 2022, my focus was all about learning to live in Florida full-time. I called my blog Retirement Transitions, and this was a really big transition for our retirement. We have been living in Florida full-time for 19 months and I do feel like we have settled in well. I am coming to terms with … Continue reading 2022 Year in Review
Fall to Winter Transition
It continues to be a challenge for me to think about seasonal changes here in Florida. Even in December, I am in shorts and flip-flops most days with high temperatures in the 80s (in F, that’s mid 20’s C). I’m not wearing Christmas sweaters; I'm buying Christmas T-shirts! This year I shifted focus to seasonal … Continue reading Fall to Winter Transition
Becoming a Butterfly?
I find the analogy of a flower and butterfly a fun way of thinking about engagement at a gathering/party. For many years, I was in awe of the butterfly personality at social gatherings. They flit from flower (person) to flower (person), seem to know everyone, and look like they are really enjoy the gathering. … Continue reading Becoming a Butterfly?
Dabbling versus Discipline
In one of my summer readings, I came across the concept that a life of discipline leads to fullness of life (happiness). “With a life live with discipline, we become a better version of ourselves every day, able to fulfill our destiny and find happiness.” Mathew Kelly As I continue to process my acceptance of … Continue reading Dabbling versus Discipline
Gratitude
While it feels a bit cliché to be crafting a blog post on the topic of gratitude in November (which in the USA is our Thanksgiving holiday), the practice of gratitude has been a significant factor in achieving a feeling of happiness in my retirement. I use this practice a few different ways: Daily gratitude … Continue reading Gratitude