When does summer begin? When I was a kid, it was when school let out, which was mid to late June. In college, that end of school timing moved to the middle of May. In astronomical terms, the start of summer can be defined very precisely: it begins on the summer solstice, which occurs on … Continue reading Summer is Here Already!
Author: patwdoyle11
Heart’s Desires
In the transition into retirement, it is often said to spend time and better understand yourself to help define what your best retirement will look like. When I first retired, I spent time getting a deeper understanding of myself, and have often encouraged others to do that as well. Yet I have found myself questioning, … Continue reading Heart’s Desires
April Reflection – I Did It
I began doing a Monthly “I Did It” List this year to help me focus on celebrating the life I am living. I am prone to a Compare & Despair mindset. I often feel like milestones or achievements pass without recognition. I often think I’m not “doing enough,” as if there’s a need to be … Continue reading April Reflection – I Did It
Let Go of the Fantasy
I’m beginning to believe I have a distorted vision of friendship and that the “perfect picture of female friendship” is a just a fantasy. The BFF from childhood or high-school, who remains your BFF through it all – just getting older and grayer now. The tight knit group of besties who do things together all … Continue reading Let Go of the Fantasy
Permission for the Negative Emotions
It’s been a tough couple of weeks emotionally. Nothing major, just my negative thoughts spiraling me down. I try and work on positivity with daily gratitude, journaling, getting outside in my garden, doing things I love to do. But there are times when my critical inner voice and my natural pessimism seem to overpower the … Continue reading Permission for the Negative Emotions
A Look Back at my Tarot Readings
Part of my retirement lifestyle vision is contemplation. Active Body, Connected Heart, Creative Spirit, Contemplative Mind. I noted in my end of the year review that my contemplation element was down, so I’ve added more tarot card reading into my monthly routine. I use the tarot cards to aid in self-refection and to allow my … Continue reading A Look Back at my Tarot Readings
From Jaded to Wonder
I feel like I am becoming jaded. After we went to the Florida Strawberry Festival, I even said, “Been there, done that, bought the t-shirt”. And yes, I did buy the t-shirt. However, I could have said what was awe-inspiring about the event! Too many times that I recall in the past year, I’ve been … Continue reading From Jaded to Wonder
Nothing Insightful Here
My intent with my blog posts is to try and provide insight, in some manner, into retirement living. Recently however, I just seem to be living my retirement with not any major insight emerging. Here are a few of my less-than-insightful happenings this week: I’m on a “two for two” with planning fiascos. First, while … Continue reading Nothing Insightful Here
I Did It List – A New Tool
Recently I saw another intriguing tool called the “I Did It” list. You know I love my lists! This tool was to help someone feel like they had accomplished something – in the day, or week, or month. You were encouraged to not just focus on the big milestones, but the little things you got … Continue reading I Did It List – A New Tool
Writing Future Scenarios
One of the fun tools I played with early in my retirement transition was writing 5 vignettes (short scenarios) based on 5 years in the future. I was learning about my love of writing and this sounded like a fun way to write creatively and also push my thinking on where I wanted to be … Continue reading Writing Future Scenarios










