where, what and who – retirement transitions choices
December has always been a time for me to look back at the year to see what I’ve accomplished, what I’ve learned, where I’ve grown. And then to look ahead to the next year with what I want to accomplish, what I want to learn, where I’d like to grow. In past years I looked … Continue reading End of Year Thinking
Most folks probably won’t care about my summer research project. But I’m kind of proud of it. Some elements I’ve learned about my true self is I love to learn about new things, l can get lost for hours delving into research on a topic, and I adore synthesizing that research into “so what”. I … Continue reading My 2024 Summer Research Project – Plants!
Back in May, I talked about a new tool I was using called an I-Did-It List (link here to that post ). It’s an end of the month look back at the things I did - a form of self-validation to celebrate my accomplishments (however small), to boost appreciation of my life, and to feel “I … Continue reading August I-Did-It List – An End of Summer Review – A Fall Plan
I began active journaling early in my retirement after reading about Morning Pages from Julia Cameron’s book The Artist’s Way. That book is her original one on the topic, which I find the best for learning about her creativity tools like Morning Pages. She has other books in the same space, and I’ve read both the one … Continue reading Exploring One of My Quirks – Journaling
One of the continuing challenges for me in retirement has been creating and maintaining connections/friendships. I’ve stated before that when I left full-time working, I lost 80% of my daily connections. While these were not necessarily all close friendships, they were connections that provided me with support, validation, advice, a sounding board, and inspiration. Intentional … Continue reading Additional Thoughts on Friendship
Recently, a newly retired acquaintance commented how she feels bad that she doesn’t want to travel in retirement as that’s what seems to be expected. Unfortunately, the expectations for retirement remain the same for a newly retired professional – consult, travel, high-level volunteer (meaning be on a board of directors), and/or spend time with grandkids. … Continue reading The Things I Thought I Would Do
I started to title this blog “Mid-summer” until I realized (thanks, Google) that mid-summer is an Olde English term referencing the summer solstice festival in June. The midpoint of summer is more towards the first week in August. Again, it depends on when you consider summer to begin; do you go by the astrological date, … Continue reading Summer Mid-Point
I’ve created a number of new routines since retirement. Hubby’s recent knee replacement surgery disrupted a number of them. I began to wonder, were my new routines a new life rhythm or were they actually ruts, as in an inability to be flexible? Of course, I explored the concept of routines and ruts on line. … Continue reading Rhythms, Routines, or Ruts?
I am a huge proponent of To-Do Lists. I get stressed if there’s not a list of things for me to do, even if it’s all just possibilities. If it’s not written down on a list, I totally forget about it. I’ve even added in a new tool this year, an I-Did-It List (link to … Continue reading To Be, To Do, Do-be-do-be-do
My new tool this year is a monthly look back to celebrate the things I did in the month. I realized that I too often let milestones slip by without recognition, do not fully appreciate the life I’m living, and can spiral down into a negative compare & despair or I’m not enough mindset. I … Continue reading May Review – I Did It
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