Just thought I would add that retirement is not a single entity. If you are lucky to last long enough, it has a number of phases depending on health, health conditions, relationships, changing interests etc.
It’s incredibly important to stay resilient and adaptive in order to continue getting the best life you can!
I’ve added a link at the end to a poem I wrote about a recent group holiday in the Veneto. I think it’s fair to say that not everyone enjoyed full mobility but everyone had a great time overall even if sometimes they may have had to work at it 😊
Hi, indeed, I am so thankful I'm generally in good health. The article was written for those approaching retirement, and over time many will become less mobile than before. Recently, in a group we were told to walk like a wolf pack with the older and less mobile at the front. I thought that was so good. I've been a straggler on a walking holiday and by the time I reached the rest point others were ready to move on .Thanks for sharing the poem and I hope you had a lovely trip with plenty more to come.
The wolf pack idea is a good one and not one I came across much in walking holidays pre-retirement! It was always the hills - I would finally puff my way into the group and the hearty young leader would say something equally hearty about everyone being here now and off and upward they would go without missing a breath, leading invariably from the front 😂
The serious point from this is that we all age at different rates even within relationships and it requires thought, compromise and a degree of management. And an even temper of course 🤣🤣
Yes, younger people can find it hard to step into the shoes of someone older or less fit. I like it when you get a co-leader at the back so they can make sure you get a bit of a rest if you are last. When I was with the Maasai, I was the youngest by many years, one of the warriors found me a short cut and guided me which was lovely :).
We do all age at different rates - and we should remember things like - when you have met one 70 year old, you have met one 70 year old!
This is right on, Denise! The hardest part of retiring for me was losing the part of my identity that was job-related. I thought long and hard about who I was without the job, had a plan in place before I retired, and transitioned easily into my new identity. A friend/former co-worker is now starting to think about her retirement and actually said to me just the other day, "But who am I if I don't do this job?"
Hi @Cherie looks like you were very sensible with a plan. Your friend/former co-worker is at least thinking about it now; its when people haven't given it any thought that they feel adrift. Part of my purpose now is to encourage people to get thinking in advance.
As you like the word crone, you might enjoy reading my friend’s book Juicy Crones: Free for the Strangest Adventure - Inspirational travel stories of women embracing life post menopause (Bradt Travel Guides (Travel Literature)) https://amzn.eu/d/iOm6IK9
You've provided great food for thought and resources Denise. My identity transitioning to retirement wasn't difficult because I didn't identify with my job. It was more difficult to not have a schedule and to not feel "productive". Since retiring, I've been surprised at how seldom the topic of "what did you do when you worked" comes up.
That's interesting that not many people do ask you, and a positive note. Do they ask you more aorund what you do with your time? People often say 'I've never been busier' but, with some people I know, something that used to take 30 minutes now takes half a day. I don't think that matters - what does is to feel fulfilled. Thanks, Denise
Just thought I would add that retirement is not a single entity. If you are lucky to last long enough, it has a number of phases depending on health, health conditions, relationships, changing interests etc.
It’s incredibly important to stay resilient and adaptive in order to continue getting the best life you can!
I’ve added a link at the end to a poem I wrote about a recent group holiday in the Veneto. I think it’s fair to say that not everyone enjoyed full mobility but everyone had a great time overall even if sometimes they may have had to work at it 😊
https://bridgetpratt.substack.com/p/why-would-we-allow-a-little-thing?r=1v0ed8
Hi, indeed, I am so thankful I'm generally in good health. The article was written for those approaching retirement, and over time many will become less mobile than before. Recently, in a group we were told to walk like a wolf pack with the older and less mobile at the front. I thought that was so good. I've been a straggler on a walking holiday and by the time I reached the rest point others were ready to move on .Thanks for sharing the poem and I hope you had a lovely trip with plenty more to come.
The wolf pack idea is a good one and not one I came across much in walking holidays pre-retirement! It was always the hills - I would finally puff my way into the group and the hearty young leader would say something equally hearty about everyone being here now and off and upward they would go without missing a breath, leading invariably from the front 😂
The serious point from this is that we all age at different rates even within relationships and it requires thought, compromise and a degree of management. And an even temper of course 🤣🤣
Yes, younger people can find it hard to step into the shoes of someone older or less fit. I like it when you get a co-leader at the back so they can make sure you get a bit of a rest if you are last. When I was with the Maasai, I was the youngest by many years, one of the warriors found me a short cut and guided me which was lovely :).
We do all age at different rates - and we should remember things like - when you have met one 70 year old, you have met one 70 year old!
This is right on, Denise! The hardest part of retiring for me was losing the part of my identity that was job-related. I thought long and hard about who I was without the job, had a plan in place before I retired, and transitioned easily into my new identity. A friend/former co-worker is now starting to think about her retirement and actually said to me just the other day, "But who am I if I don't do this job?"
Hi @Cherie looks like you were very sensible with a plan. Your friend/former co-worker is at least thinking about it now; its when people haven't given it any thought that they feel adrift. Part of my purpose now is to encourage people to get thinking in advance.
You are providing a great service. Too many people lose their way when they retire!
As you like the word crone, you might enjoy reading my friend’s book Juicy Crones: Free for the Strangest Adventure - Inspirational travel stories of women embracing life post menopause (Bradt Travel Guides (Travel Literature)) https://amzn.eu/d/iOm6IK9
I will look up the book, it sounds interesting
You've provided great food for thought and resources Denise. My identity transitioning to retirement wasn't difficult because I didn't identify with my job. It was more difficult to not have a schedule and to not feel "productive". Since retiring, I've been surprised at how seldom the topic of "what did you do when you worked" comes up.
That's interesting that not many people do ask you, and a positive note. Do they ask you more aorund what you do with your time? People often say 'I've never been busier' but, with some people I know, something that used to take 30 minutes now takes half a day. I don't think that matters - what does is to feel fulfilled. Thanks, Denise