The Birthday Revolution: Reclaiming Your Special Day
In a world that often rushes us toward the next milestone, “How to Have a Happy Birthday – Create Meaning, Fulfilment and Joy on Your Special Day” offers a refreshing perspective on one of life’s most universal yet deeply personal celebrations. This thought-provoking book challenges our cultural assumptions about ageing and provides a roadmap for […]
Beyond ‘Semi-Retired’: What Do We Call Later Life?
There comes a point where we want to pause or to take a step back. No longer a ‘full on’ career focus, but definitely not checking out. So, what are we? Semi-retired? But that sounds a bit dull. It sounds like we’ve downshifted into a holding pattern. Neither working nor fully retired, just hovering somewhere […]
A Day in Nature: Time for You at Bluebell Wood
In a world full of constant demands, many of us long for space to breathe, reflect, and hear ourselves again. We don’t always need answers, but we do need time to listen. If that feels true for you, you might be drawn to a quiet day of nature-based reflection with me at Bluebell Wood. This […]
Today, retirement is about identity, purpose, and possibilities, not just age
When it comes to retirement, the old rules don’t always apply. Today, I’m exploring why a more flexible, personal approach can help us navigate this important life transition with greater purpose and clarity. Rethinking the Traditional Retirement Timeline Retirement is changing. It’s no longer just about hitting 66 or 67 and stepping away from work […]
Healthy Ageing and the Future of Work
What the IMF Report Really Tells Us About Later Life “Fury as baby boomers ordered to work into their 70s – ‘the new 50′” That was the Daily Express headline following the release of the IMF’s April 2025 World Economic Outlook. It’s dramatic. It’s clickable. And it’s deeply misleading. As someone who works closely with […]
Life’s a Juggle – But You Don’t Have to Catch Every Ball
Juggling the Demands of Life Life can often feel like a constant juggling act. Between work commitments, personal responsibilities, family obligations, and the unexpected curveballs that get thrown our way, it can be overwhelming trying to keep all the balls in the air. But the reality is, we’re not superheroes – we’re only human. And […]
Is 70 the New 65? Rethinking Ageing in the 21st Century
Introduction At what age do we truly become ‘old’? For decades, 65 has been the traditional marker of older age in the UK, largely because it was the official retirement age and the point at which people could claim their State Pension. But with people living longer and healthier lives, is it time to rethink […]
Rethinking Later Life Living: Could University-Based Communities Work in the UK?
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about how we might reimagine where, and how, we live in later life. A recent article I read sparked this reflection: could university-based retirement communities (UBRCs), which are becoming popular in the U.S., offer something similar here in the UK? Or do we need to think differently, finding more […]
Listening to My Body and Embracing the Seasons of Life
Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor, coming to you from my wood. It’s just after 1pm on Thursday, March 20th, the first day of spring, and it certainly feels like it. My watch says it’s 16 degrees, and I’m enjoying the fresh air. Behind me is the base that Justin and I built, originally for a […]
University-Based Retirement Communities: A New Retirement Model?
University-based retirement communities (UBRCs) are gaining popularity, offering an alternative to traditional retirement living. While this model is expanding in the U.S., could university-based retirement communities work in the UK? Could they provide intellectual stimulation, intergenerational engagement, and a sense of purpose in later life? Or are there better, more inclusive ways to achieve these […]