What will give your life meaning in later life.
We are told that it is our work that gives meaning to our life. When there are bills to pay it certainly can give us a reason to get up. But how meaningful is our work? To what extent would we do it if we weren’t getting paid. Once we start to receive our pension, […]
Understanding Personality Traits
Retirement adjustment can be studied using personality theory, which offers insights into behaviour and subjective experiences. The ‘Big Five’ factors – openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism – are commonly used to measure personality traits. These traits encompass various behaviours and motivations. Research has found that high conscientiousness, agreeableness, and low neuroticism, particularly […]
Trailcam footage
The latest from the trailcam, there is some good footage of a fox, and also hare, roe and muntjac deer and some birds from basecamp. We do get animal visitors to base camp – this time a glimpse of a deer.
Nature as Nurture
Hi, it’s Dr Denise and I’m standing at the edge of our wood. One of the good things about this time of year is you can actually see the field because there’s less leaves in the way. I haven’t been here for a week, and when I came here last Sunday, I was glad I […]
Sharing retirement ‘snacks’
This time I wanted to share some ‘snacks’ related to my retirement research. The Cheltenham Book Launch Party This took place 2-3 weeks ago. It was a celebration with people I know. Some well, some less so. It was more intimate and personal than the online launch. A friend did the filming, and I’d love […]
What is your (non-financial) legacy
Many people think legacy is meant for those who have a lot of money and are known as philanthropists. Or they are people such as Martin Luther King and Mother Teresa, activists and saints doing important work. But we can all leave a legacy. Whilst we are likely to leave money to family and other […]
Beyond the Job Title: Rediscovering Identity and Purpose in Retirement
Entering a period of retirement there are many different views. Some people have got jaded by their work and can’t wait to leave. Others have it forced up on them, they are perhaps a partner in a consultancy firm and it’s written that they leave at 60. Others will feel the time is right, the […]
We need to show self compassion
Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor from my wood and today I want to talk to you about self-compassion and it’s something that I’m personally not very good at. I’m a lot better helping other people than showing it to myself. I remember one time working with somebody, helping me address some issues in my life […]
The impact of Covid
I was asked for my views on this article: The impact of COVID-19 on thinking about and planning for retirement. It was written in October, 2021 and 18 months on things may have changed. Back then there was plenty of things I still avoided, such as live gigs with crowds, but I’m happy to attend […]
The new old age
Interesting Article in The Atlantic by David Brooks – The New Old Age. This article is in line with my research into rethinking retirement and has an emphasis on the programmes created by leading universities such as Stanford University – Distinguished Careers Institute. These take successful older people into a year or so where they […]