Summary of blog topics, with links to particular articles


To inspire, inform, and embolden people thinking about retiring or already retired.

 

THOUGHT-PROVOKING COLUMNS THAT FOCUS ON EMOTIONAL AND SOCIAL WELL-BEING IN RETIREMENT:

  • Tales of retirement – This is the heart of our blog!  Tales of retirement written by friends, family, and colleagues who have already retired
  • Following Frank into retirement – Frank’s thoughts each step of the way, from 5 months prior to retiring through to four years after retiring
  • Thoughts from a retirement coach – What Mariella has learned from her clients and her life
  • Retirement stats, studies, and stuff – Just what it says
  • Helen, heading out – A series of articles about recreating identity after an all-consuming career
  • Tales of an overachieving retiree – A series of articles about the challenges of bringing overachievement into retirement and finding pleasure in the process
  • Craving a dog’s life – A series of articles about finding a pathway towards a simpler life, one that is less focused on structure and more on love, compassion, daily walks, and treats
  • Phil dives into retirement – A series of articles about transitioning from a very structured professional life
  • Reinventing Barb – A series of articles about reinventing life after job loss
  • My journey – A series of articles about being given working notice shortly before retirement

To go directly to the blog, click here.

Or see below for links to particular articles:

 

Tales of Retirement

Written by friends, family, and colleagues who have already retired

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2014/07/18 Of lists and blank pages Rose Morley Disorientation, flow, routine
2. 2014/08/14 Where there are toasted tomato sandwiches, there is hope Brad Morley Fulfillment, life transitions, mixed emotions, satisfaction
3. 2014/09/14 When work ended abruptly, I was catapulted into serious soul searching Martin Chronic illness in retirement, disorientation, fulfillment, health, job loss, mixed emotions, unexpected retirement
4. 2014/10/15 Retirement. How did I ever find time to work! Peter Follett Engagement, life transitions, mixed emotions, satisfaction
5. 2014/11/14 One widow’s retirement story Judy Callahan Death, chronic illness, resilience
6. 2014/12/15 Retire like a drunken matador Christine Warltier Early retirement, frustrated with work, happiness, money
7. 2015/01/14 Then a miracle occurred Jim A. Dixon Purpose and passion in retirement, relationships, money, resilience
8. 2015/02/15 In search of the meaning of life (still) Rose Morley Creativity, fulfillment, life transitions, mixed emotions, routine
9. 2015/03/14 The healing tea of retirement Brad Morley Burnout, happiness, life transitions, stress
10. 2015/04/14 Freedom sixty-one Pauline Hodge Disorientation, happiness, life transitions, mixed emotions, money
11. 2015/05/14 An examination of my fear of spiders Fiona McConachie Engagement, fulfillment, healthy aging, life transitions, resilience
12. 2015/06/14 Retirement: out with a whimper, not a bang Don Kellett Fulfillment, life transitions, planning, unexpected retirement
13. 2015/07/15 A snowbird experience Amy Cousineau Fulfillment, life transitions, relationships, satisfaction
14. 2015/09/01 I’m fine. Really. Anson Laytner Disorientation, engagement, life transitions, money, routine
15. 2015/09/14 What monkeys do and do not do Brad Morley Disorientation, healthy aging, retirement income, work-life balance
16. 2015/10/16 Comfort zone be damned Rose Morley Creativity, engagement, fulfillment, mixed emotions
17. 2015/11/24 Practising retirement, and my cover story Mark Creativity, fulfillment, mixed emotions
18. 2015/12/14 Household hazards in retirement Anson Laytner Happiness, health, routine
19. 2016/01/14 Choosing not to be sad Judy Callahan Happiness, mixed emotions, relationships in retirement
20. 2016/02/15 Snowbirds – not this winter! Amy Cousineau Health, mixed emotions, resilience
21. 2016/03/14 When bad things happen to good dreams or “now what?” Rose Morley Disorientation, flow, mixed emotions, resilience
22. 2016/04/14 Retirement: the 3 Rs – renew, refresh, rejuvenate Donna Beatty Disorientation, happiness, life transitions, routine
23. 2016/05/22 Sometimes the harder you go at a thing, the more it recedes Hazel Lyder Creativity, disorientation, life transitions, mixed emotions
24. 2016/06/14 Retirement: out with a whimper, not a bang Jean Murphy Burnout, early retirement, happiness, identity
25. 2016/07/15 Oh, the places you’ll go! …with a nod to Dr. Seuss Donna McCaw Chronic illness, courage, life transitions
26. 2016/08/24 Grief’s apprentice Linda Schnabel Death, happiness, resilience
27. 2016/09/10 Practising retirement – coming at it sideways Mark Creativity, tapering/practising retirement, taking a sabbatical year
28. 2016/10/21 By the time she retires, I’ll be ready for the long nap Anson Laytner Retiring well before younger partner, fighting to feel relevant
29. 2016/11/21 An abundance of time Ann Munsch Understanding busy-ness; lessons learned; letting go
30. 2016/12/08 La petite mort Anson Laytner Dealing with lost value when visiting workplace after retirement
31. 2017/01/15 Back to babyhood Ruth Morris Physically ready for retirement; enjoying grandchild
32. 2017/02/14 Retirement – I’m ready! Maryse Lafreniere Activities planned; identity as a helper will be maintained
33. 2017/03/14 Ready, set, terminated Shirley Forton Unexpected job loss; devastation; resilience; downsizing; family
34. 2017/04/24 Retirement four years in Pauline Hodge Breaking from regiment; freedom; fitness; dementia; adjustment
35. 2017/04/15 My last day of work… ever Josette Vigneux Last day as a nurse of 30 years
36. 2017/06/26 Thirty-nine years of retirement Claude Lafreniere 91-year-old’s experiences over 39 years of retirement
37. 2017/08/05 Practising retirement: practice is now over Mark Facing ever-since-I-was-a-kid dreams; retirement trepidation; the need for aspirations and discipline
38. 2017/11/21 Time flies when you’re having fun Janis Tomkinson Missing daily structure and colleagues, redesigning me
39. 2018/01/19 You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows Joan Hoban RN retires after 45 years, making choices, dreaming, self-determination
40. 2018/02/26 I hate rushing in the morning! Maryse Lafreniere Human connection, volunteering, playing, fear of disability
41. 2018/03/27 Selling a house is a little like making love for the first time Pat O’Connor Downsizing to a smaller house, being vulnerable

 

 

Thoughts from a Retirement Coach

What Mariella has learned from her clients and her life

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2014/02/07 Creating purpose and passion in retirement:  just mushy words? Mariella Engagement, fulfillment, happiness, satisfaction, strengths
2. 2014/08/29 If only we had instructions for retirement Mariella Disorientation, engagement, fulfillment, happiness, mixed emotions, strengths
3. 2014/09/29 Pre-retirement emotions: a boiling cauldron Mariella Disorientation, life transitions, mixed emotions, strengths
4. 2014/10/28 Liver and onion Wednesdays Mariella Fulfillment, life transitions, routine, satisfaction
5. 2014/11/27 Leisure in retirement – too much of a good thing? Mariella Disorientation, engagement, happiness, life transitions
6. 2014/12/29 Beautiful endeavours Mariella Frustrated with work, fulfillment, happiness, satisfaction
7. 2015/01/28 Adjusting to a new limitation – what works? Mariella Chronic illness, engagement, mixed emotions, physical fitness
8. 2015/02/28 Flirting with your wild side Mariella Health, healthy aging, life transitions, resilience
9. 2015/04/28 What makes (or breaks) relationships in retirement? Mariella Life transitions, mixed emotions, relationships in retirement
10. 2015/06/28 Leaving behind a life legacy that goes beyond ego Mariella Fulfillment, life legacy
11. 2015/09/22 Life is so startling Mariella Happiness, healthy aging, resilience
12. 2015/12/01 I’d rather die in the traces than retire Mariella Disorientation, fulfillment, life transitions
13. 2015/12/28 Retirement – a time for small things Mariella Engagement, money, satisfaction
14. 2016/02/22 How well are you doing in retirement?  Part one – taking your pulse. Mariella Flow, fulfillment, mixed emotions, relationships in retirement, resilience, routine
15. 2016/03/19 How well are you doing in retirement?  Part two – strengthening your pulse. Mariella Flow, identity, life legacy, relationships in retirement, routine
16. 2016/04/21 A rousing harangue for foundering retirees Mariella Disorientation, resilience, stress
17. 2016/05/31 Retirement: where the future of the universe depends on you (ha!) Mariella Disorientation, engagement, identity
18. 2016/06/26 What to put on a bucket list Mariella Death, fulfillment, life legacy, relationships in retirement
19. 2016/07/30 When one person retires and their partner does not Mariella Disorientation, life transitions, relationships in retirement
20. 2016/08/27 Navigating our newsletter articles (Part 1 – by column, topic, and author) Mariella Life transitions
21. 2016/09/30 Navigating our newsletter articles (Part 2 – by topic) Mariella List of articles by topic
22. 2016/10/29 A confession Mariella Adjusting to a partner’s upcoming retirement while still working
23. 2016/11/27 Dealing with the wild cards Mariella Osteoporosis, dealing with a diagnosis and its limitations
24. 2017/02/27 Retirement: What can we learn from the oldest person in the world? Mariella Lessons from a 122-year-old on owning identity, self-esteem, purpose, contributing to the world, being positive, resilience, balance of leisure and structure
25. 2017/03/31 In praise of wattles and wrinkles Mariella Claiming our power, even as our physical form diminishes
26. 2017/04/24 Legitimized: Finally I can say, “I’m retired.” Mariella Being outside the normal careers; relief of ‘retired’ label; redefining retirement and work
27. 2017/05/07 Inertia in Retirement Mariella Inertia; self-determination; not striving; creativity; dreams
28. 2017/06/27 Who do you SAY you are? Mariella Self-identity; being accurate; finding connection; being who we want to be; focusing on hopes instead of troubles
29. 2017/12/11 The graveyard in my mind Mariella How one death causes us to relive the anguish of previous losses; bringing what we lost into future life; becoming soft
30. 2018/06/25 Still don’t know what you want to be when you grow up? 16 questions to help figure it out. Mariella Retirement gives us a rare opportunity to really figure out what we want out of life. 16 questions to help clarify.

                

 

Stats, Studies, and Stuff (Including Guest Authors)

Just what it says

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
         
1. 2014/07/18 Did you know that a startling percentage of people retire unexpectedly or reluctantly? Mariella Early retirement, health, job loss, unexpected retirement
2. 2014/08/25 Exercise – the silver bullet for successful aging? Mariella Health, healthy aging, physical fitness in retirement
3. 2014/09/22 Are you getting enough of the five elements needed for a satisfying life? Mariella Engagement, flow, fulfillment, happiness, healthy aging, satisfaction
4. 2014/10/22 Who do you think you are? Mariella Fulfillment, life transitions, satisfaction, strengths
5. 2014/11/22 What lures us to creativity? Mariella Creativity, engagement, fulfillment, satisfaction
6. 2014/12/26 Retirement and mortality Mariella Chronic illness, early retirement, health, healthy aging, unexpected retirement
7. 2015/01/21 Retiree stereotypes – It seems we’re feeble, forgetful, stubborn, and helpless Mariella Healthy aging, life transitions, mixed emotions
8. 2015/02/23 Flow – the overlooked ingredient in the recipe for happiness (Part 1) Mariella Engagement, flow, fulfillment, happiness
9. 2015/03/24 Flow – the overlooked ingredient in the recipe for happiness  (Part 2) Mariella Engagement, flow, fulfillment, routine
10. 2015/05/28 In support of doubt Mariella Disorientation, fulfillment, life transitions, mixed emotions
11. 2015/07/29 Our relationship to money in retirement Mariella Early retirement, fulfillment, money
12. 2015/08/31 Unlearning the puritan work ethic in retirement Mariella Healthy aging, life transitions, mixed emotions, work-life balance
13. 2015/10/01 Contentment:  what does it look like? Bret Maukonen Fulfillment, happiness
14. 2015/10/25 Aging: I haven’t been reading the script Mariella Healthy aging, life transitions, physical fitness in retirement
15. 2015/11/08 Happiness at the speed of light Catherine M. Miller Happiness, health, resilience
16. 2016/01/01 Positive thinking is not all it’s cracked up to be when it comes to retirement planning Mariella Life transitions, mixed emotions
17. 2016/01/18 How employers can help with employee retirement decisions Mariella Frustrated with work, succession planning
18. 2016/02/09 Walk sober off; before a sprightlier age comes tittering on Mariella Fulfillment, healthy aging, life transitions, resilience
19. 2016/03/19 Should I get a dog when I retire? Mariella Happiness, health, mixed emotions, physical fitness in retirement
20. 2016/04/28 Downsizing your home – by crisis or by choice? Ellen Crymble Health, life transitions, planning
21. 2016/05/16 Never too old to learn Jill Watson Continuing education, healthy aging, life transitions, Third Age learning
22. 2016/06/27 Ponderings about retirement from a residential hospice chaplain Kathy Underwood Death, happiness, life legacy, relationships in retirement
23. 2016/08/06 Who am I now? Identity revisited… renewed… reinvented Lynne Maukonen Identity, purpose and passion in retirement
24. 2016/09/10 Whose life (and death) is it, anyway? Kathy Underwood Autonomy of someone is dying, listening to a dying person’s wishes
25. 2016/10/24 Co-housing with friends into old age Mariella Building community through shared living spaces
26. 2016/11/23 The motivations behind volunteering in retirement Luc Cousineau Contributing something back; reasons for volunteering
27. 2016/12/08 The struggle to become (reasonably) selfish in retirement Mariella Protecting our personal creative space as retirees
28. 2017/02/25 Your thoughts on retirement: four questions for you Mariella Best moment, retirement challenges, relationship changes, money perspective
29. 2017/03/27 Survey responses to question 1 – most joy in retirement so far? Mariella Joy in retirement: freedom, control, learning, sleeping in, travel, relationships
30. 2017/04/19 Survey responses to question 2 – what do you wish you had known? Mariella Challenges/hindsight: balancing routine and freedom; regrets; less income; being uncomfortable wayfinding; allowing non-productivity; adjusting to unreal expectations; reframing satisfaction
31. 2017/05/07 Survey responses to question 3 – how did retirement affect your relationship with your partner? Mariella Relationship changes: loss of partner; needing separate space and activities; same people; less stress; health challenges
32. 2017/06/27 Survey responses to question 4 – has your perspective on money changed since retiring? Mariella Money perspective: caring for parents in retirement; worries; frugal living; adjusting expectations; no change
33. 2018/06/20 How well do people adjust to retirement? (Three adjustment patterns) Mariella How we adjust depends on life variables; can shorten disorientation phase by building on positive variables and neutralizing negative ones

 

 

Following Frank

Frank’s thoughts each step of the way, from 5 months prior to retiring through to four years after retiring

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2014/07/07 Frank in a nutshell Frank Frustrated with work, happiness, life transitions, planning, retirement income/money, satisfaction
2. 2014/08/12 Hanging up the skates – flip flopping towards retirement Frank Frustrated with work, life transitions, mixed emotions, planning, retirement income/money
3. 2014/09/07 Money, money, money – being responsible Frank Fulfillment, happiness, planning, retirement income, satisfaction
4. 2014/10/07 So much time and so little to do Frank Happiness, life transitions, mixed emotions, satisfaction
5. 2014/11/07 Money, money, money reprise Frank Happiness, life transitions, mixed emotions, money, planning
6. 2014/12/07 The luxury of being Frank Engagement, fulfillment, life transitions, mixed emotions
7. 2015/01/06 A very long weekend Frank Disorientation, frustrated with work, mixed emotions, routine, satisfaction
8. 2015/02/06 The storm before the calm Frank Disorientation, fulfillment, mixed emotions
9. 2015/03/07 Time for a change Frank Life transitions, planning, routine
10. 2015/04/07 Something’s cooking Frank Life transitions, money, routine, satisfaction
11. 2015/05/07 Mind games Frank Flow, money, retirement income, routine
12. 2015/06/07 The most precious gift Frank Fulfillment, legacy, life transitions
13. 2015/07/30 Finding a balance Frank Fulfillment, physical fitness in retirement, work-life balance
14. 2015/10/06 Opportunistic tumbleweed Frank Mixed emotions, routine, satisfaction
15. 2016/01/06 Tempus fugit Frank Happiness, mixed emotions, routine
16. 2017/01/23 Just call me ‘bob’ Frank Summing up 2 years of retirement;
17. 2018/09/17 That’s a good pace, now keep it up for another 30 years… Frank Purpose; will I feel regretful that I haven’t used those 30 years well?

 

 

Helen, Heading Out

A series of articles about recreating identity after an all-consuming career

 

# Posted Title Author Tags
1. 2015/02/06 My almost (involuntary) early retirement Helen Burnout, early retirement, health, stress, unexpected retirement
2. 2015/03/07 Staving off involuntary early retirement: the emotional side Helen Burnout, early retirement, health, work-life balance
3. 2015/04/21 Staving off involuntary early retirement: the work side Helen Burnout, early retirement, frustrated at work, health, resilience, work-life balance
4. 2015/05/21 The pushmi-pullu of my retirement decision Helen Fulfillment, identity, life transitions, money, unexpected retirement
5. 2015/06/22 Clearing out my office – and my life Helen Disorientation, identity, job loss, life transitions
6. 2015/07/21 Am I really retired? Helen Life transitions, routine, work-life balance
7. 2015/08/26 Three-year retirement retrospective Helen Creativity, engagement, identity, life transitions
8. 2015/10/21 What do I miss? Helen Identity, life transitions, mixed emotions
9. 2015/11/18 New keys on my key ring Helen Creativity, mixed emotions, relationships in retirement
10. 2015/12/23 The end of the bend Helen Healthy aging, identity, life transitions
11. 2016/01/18 Navigating the end of the bend Helen Chronic illness in retirement, death, healthy aging, routine

 

 

Tales of an Overachieving Retiree

A series of articles about the challenges of bringing overachievement into retirement and finding pleasure in the process

 

# Posted Title Author Tags
1. 2016/02/08 Getting off track: getting to retirement after retirement Peter Life transitions, work-life balance
2. 2016/03/19 Getting back to the dreams Peter Creativity, life transitions, work-life balance
3. 2016/04/14 Getting to a full stop Peter Burnout, creativity, work-life balance
4. 2016/05/19 Getting to the point, still Peter Creativity, routine, work-life balance
5. 2016/06/28 Getting to a simpler place Peter Life transitions, stress, work-life balance

 

 

Craving a Dog’s Life

A series of articles about finding a pathway towards a simpler life, one that is less focused on structure and more on love, compassion, daily walks, and treats

 

# Posted Title Author Tags
1. 2016/07/12 Why is it so hard to turn down work after retiring? Renate Life transitions, mixed emotions, work-life balance
2. 2016/08/22 When you’re not the boss anymore Renate Identity, life transitions, satisfaction
3. 2016/09/29 To work or not to work? Renate Finding the right balance of contract work when retired

 

 

Phil Dives into Retirement 

A series of articles about transitioning from a very structured professional life

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2016/12/12 Will my identity retire with me? Phil McCavity Questioning ability to turn off work identity when retired
2. 2017/01/07 Easing my way out the door Phil McCavity Goodbyes to clients; readiness to retire
3. 2017/02/07 And so it happened Phil McCavity Sale of business, meet-and-greet, clearing deck, planning
4. 2017/03/07 Great expectations Phil McCavity Expectations of good health, happiness, choices
5. 2017/08/20 Game on Phil McCavity Chores, golf, getting fit, rural living, life is good

 

 

Reinventing Barb

A series of articles about reinventing life after job loss

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2017/04/09 Terminated – my career handed to me in a box Barb Carriere Sudden job loss; loss of identity; grieving; giving back; downsizing; part-time work; letting others in; designing each day
2. 2017/05/07 ‘Rightsizing’ to a new home Barb Carriere Downsizing; healing; finding a passion;
3. 2017/06/26 Creating a happy life Barb Carriere Fulfilling postponed dreams; finding meaning and joy; being kind

 

 

My Journey

A series of articles about being given working notice shortly before retirement

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2017/08/21 The storm (part 1) MC Working notice layoff after working 28 years, anger, fear, work or retire?
2. 2017/11/14 The wreckage (part 2) MC Working notice layoff, mourning, isolation, panic, layoff package, no medical coverage, acceptance
3. 2018/03/09 The calm seas (part 3) MC Reconciling to job termination, volunteering, trust in self, creating a peaceful harbour

 

 

Other

 

# Posted Title Author What’s It About
1. 2013/11/15 Welcome to the Retiring With Purpose and Passion blog Mariella Disorientation, life transitions, planning
2. 2015/08/30 Gems from year one Mariella Early retirement, happiness, identity, life transitions, mixed emotions
3. 2015/09/17 10 delights of retirement Mariella Happiness, routine, satisfaction
4. 2016/07/25 Gems from year two Mariella Disorientation, engagement, happiness, money in retirement, routine
5. 2016/10/21 Announcing the first annual Doggerel Cup Limerick Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
6. 2016/11/25 Last chance to enter the annual Doggerel Cup Limerick Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
7. 2017/01/01 Announcing the winner of the annual Doggerel Cup Limerick Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
8. 2017/01/26 Limerick contest winner receives trophy Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
9. 2017/06/28 Newsletter Update Mariella Celebrating 3 years; quarterly issues; share your experiences
10. 2017/08/10 The second annual Doggerel Cup Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
11. 2017/08/13 Gems from year three Mariella Favourite tidbits of wisdom, humour, and experience
12. 2017/12/11 Last chance to enter the annual Doggerel Cup Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
13. 2018/03/29 Announcing the winner of the second annual Doggerel Cup Contest Mariella Frivolous limericks about retirement
14. 2018/06/27 Quick comebacks to working stiffs when they say, “Retired, eh? What do you do all day?” Mariella Request for responses to the question “What do you do all day?”
15. 2018/06/27 Newsletter update Mariella Next issue is last; celebrating 4 years; tell your story
16. 2018/09/25 Suggested responses for when working stiffs say, “Retired, eh? So, what do you do all day?” Mariella Suggested responses to the question “What do you do all day?”
17. 2018/09/25 Gems from year four Mariella Favourite tidbits of wisdom, humour, and experience
18. 2018/09/25 This is the last newsletter! Mariella Last newsletter; book coming; thank you