Real stories from people designing their second act — personal reflections, case studies, and honest takes on what retirement and reinvention actually look like.
There’s a moment in retirement that can take people by surprise. It may not happen on the first day, when there are still farewell cards on the kitchen bench and messages coming in from colleagues. It may not happen in the first few weeks, when there is relief, sleep, travel, gardening, sorting cupboards, catching up […]
Julie didn’t retire with a grand plan to see the world. In fact, when she first finished work, she thought travel would be something she did occasionally — a reward, perhaps, after decades of being reliable, useful, and needed. A few weeks away here and there. A visit to somewhere she had always wanted to
When I left my executive role in education a few years ago, I expected the hardest part to be the loss of routine. What I didn’t expect was how quickly my social world would thin out. The corridor conversations were gone. The team birthdays. The Friday afternoon debriefs that were half-work, half-friendship. My circle didn’t
The retirees who light up a room aren’t following a plan — they’re following something more interesting: their own willingness to look foolish.
When Susan retired from her role as a hospital administrator at 63, she did what most newly retired people do — she said yes to everything. Book club. Grandkids two days a week. Church committee. Three separate standing coffees. The garden she’d always wanted to start. A watercolour class on Wednesday afternoons. Within four months
The Tuesday morning that changed Susan’s retirement Read More »
Julie used to wake up with purpose already waiting for her. For decades, her days were shaped by timetables, meetings, decisions, and people who needed her. She began her career as a high school teacher—someone who showed up every day not just to deliver lessons, but to guide, support, and steady young lives in all
The transition from career to retirement produces a grief that mimics bereavement — and on the other side of it sits a question most people never got to ask themselves.
Have you ever wondered what you would say to your younger self if you could? As a woman in her sixties, I’ve often reflected on the winding path of my life—the moments of joy, heartbreak, growth, and resilience. So, I decided to ask myself a poignant question: What would I say to my 16-year-old self?
A letter to my 16-year-old self: Lessons, love and the power of reflection Read More »
Being sensitive doesn’t mean you’re weak. In fact, embracing your sensitivity can lead to some surprising lessons. I used to think my sensitivity was a setback. But over time, I’ve learned it’s one of my greatest assets. It lets me connect with others on a deeper level and helps me navigate the world in a
8 surprising lessons from embracing your sensitivity Read More »
I’ve always been a big believer in the immense benefits of self-reflection and journaling. I have journaled for many years now and it has helped me through the many challenges and curveballs life brings us. But it wasn’t until I embarked on a unique personal experiment that I truly realized the full potential of self-reflection.
