Rethinking Retirement: A Modern Perspective on Later Life

The traditional notion of retirement, marked by a gold watch and a decisive departure from work is increasingly out of step with contemporary reality. As a researcher who has dedicated considerable time to studying retirement transitions, including doctoral research in this field, I’ve observed significant shifts in how we approach later life. The Changing Mathematics […]

Woodland Ownership: Connecting with Nature and Its Complexities

In recent years, there has been a growing trend of individuals and organisations purchasing woodlands. This movement is often driven by a desire to protect natural habitats, combat climate change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. However, as with many environmental initiatives, the reality can be more complex than it first appears. The Rise […]

What Is a Good Career Change at 50

In our rapidly changing world, the idea of a single lifelong career is becoming a thing of the past. Increasingly, individuals are choosing to pivot their careers at 50, driven by a desire for new challenges that align with their evolving passions and values. This thrilling shift is not only redefining our perceptions of age […]

Secrets to staying relatively healthy at age 70?

Embracing Functional Fitness As we age, the importance of maintaining good health for older people becomes increasingly apparent. It’s not just about living longer; it’s about living well. Achieving a healthy lifestyle involves not only physical fitness but also mental and emotional well-being. This article explores various aspects of health, fitness, and lifestyle choices that […]

Nature’s Mirror: Discovering the Depths of Nature Through a Vision Quest

I love spending time in nature. I’ve always enjoyed going for a walk, but now I immerse myself in the natural world. This started 5 years ago. I’d learned about Vision Quests – a rite of passage based on traditional ways. These are sometimes called a wilderness fast. Something our ancestors used to do. We […]

A Slower Trip

Hi, it’s Dr Denise, down in my wood. I was talking to a couple of people about the Cotswold Way. This is one of these walks that you can do that can take several days. A good number of days to do. I was talking to Guy, and he said he met some people on […]

Taking things slowly

Hi, it’s Dr. Denise, down in the wood, and I’m just taking things slowly. I’ve been here for a few hours. I’m just listening to the birds and it’s so nice and peaceful. And I know at home I could just sit quietly and read a book, but there are always demands, aren’t there? We […]

Reflections on being ourselves

 Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor on this beautiful sunny afternoon in the wood.  And this morning I went and visited a different wood and it’s really interesting to see what other people are doing. This is a community wood and there was a group of wood owners and we all went there. I learnt a […]

Time in Nature – Singing with Nightingales

Owning a wood, I enjoy spending quiet time alone with the trees; listening to the sounds of birds and other wildlife. However, I’ve never heard musicians playing along to bird song. I found out about an event Singing with Nightingales, last year on a visit to a RSPB Nature reserve, just a few miles from our […]

I’m now on Substack

I’ve not posted here for a while … I’m now writing more on Substack. It’s a place that encourages writers to create thoughtful articles to share. Once I’m into my rhythm there, I’ll alternate between the different sites. On Substack my title is: Rethinking Retirement and Conscious Ageing, making it very clear on what I […]