An in-depth survey was recently published (Age Wave/Merrill Lynch) that identified a “2-year retirement transition” phase they called Liberation and Self-Discovery. Having just passed my 2-year mark, I felt encouraged to look back and see what I had accomplished, especially in relationship to the survey averages. I’m also stealing my review format from Mr. FireStation … Continue reading Retirement Transition 2 Year Mark
Category: Insights
Aha’s and discoveries along the transition journey
Living with Asperger’s
Most Living with Asperger’s Syndrome information is about the individual who has it and how they can best function in the world. A great deal is written about children and maximizing developmental growth for someone with AS. But what about the people who live with the adult who has Asperger’s? Living with the adult who … Continue reading Living with Asperger’s
Word of the Year: Joy
When I chose the word “joy” for this year’s word, I wasn’t sure exactly what would happen. I had my new coffee mug imprinted with “Find Joy In Each Day”. I created my daily affirmation. I was not expecting that much. But I was pleasantly surprised, with this heightened awareness, how I could find the … Continue reading Word of the Year: Joy
Feast or Famine
After 2 years into retirement, it seems like my weeks are either full of (self-chosen) activities or completely empty. Full and happy, this-is-great weeks. Or boring, am-I-failing-at-this-retirement-thing weeks. I’ve come to the conclusion that I need a life-concierge, one who is better at time management than me! When you are the concierge of your own … Continue reading Feast or Famine
Shut up Your Inner Critic
There is the old cliché “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. Oh, I am not saying I am anywhere near being an old dog, but starting new habits/behaviors is not easy. And I find that I am my own worst saboteur when it comes to starting something new! My own inner … Continue reading Shut up Your Inner Critic
Retirement Myth Busting
When I retired, a few well-meaning individuals informed me that the ideal retirement lifestyle for “someone like me” was 30/30/30. Meaning: 30% of my time focused on work, 30% of my time focused on volunteering, and 30% of my time focused on leisure. Simple as that – go do it. Besides the fact it … Continue reading Retirement Myth Busting
Will I or Won’t I…. become bored and depressed?
I recently saw another “phases of retirement” description that again highlighted a negative phase – this one talked about a retirement phase where you become bored and depressed. A previous stages review had a stage called “Disappointment”. I’m starting to wonder, at 18 months into this thing called retirement, will I or won’t I…. become … Continue reading Will I or Won’t I…. become bored and depressed?
Let the Bad Girl Out!
I’m a type-A, high achiever. I am intelligent and disciplined. I work hard at tasks given and make things happen. And I want to let my (inner) bad-girl out! I play by the rules. I do what is expected. I was (am) the good girl - the honor-roll student, the responsible daughter, the met-expectations employee, … Continue reading Let the Bad Girl Out!
Turn that Frown Upside Down
One of the things I have tried to do during retirement transition is to stay positive about the changes happening. I have to admit, I am more a pessimist by nature and yes, I defiantly have RBF (for those new to that term….resting bitch face). During my work career, my pessimism showed up … Continue reading Turn that Frown Upside Down
A Year End Review
It is common in December to look back at what was achieved in the past year. At work, that is often in a year end-review. Of the life side, many of my friends send out a Christmas card year-end summary filled with their family’s (often kids!) life doings. I love getting those notes but have … Continue reading A Year End Review







