The Art of Rest: Redefining Recovery in Active Later Life

Four weeks ago, I experienced a significant fall that left me with a bruised forehead and two black eyes. Rather than seeking immediate medical attention, I chose to start my journey (bus-train-plane), for a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife tracking course in South Africa. My concern was that I’d be in A&E, they would send me home and […]

Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement in Later Life

As I immerse myself in learning tracking skills in South Africa, I’m experiencing what psychologists call ‘flow state’ – that remarkable condition where time seems to dissolve as we become completely absorbed in what we’re doing. This experience has prompted me to reflect on why finding flow becomes increasingly valuable as we age. Throughout my […]

The importance of new challenges

Curiosity is an important characteristic in maintaining good psychological health as we age. Research consistently shows that those who remain intellectually engaged experience better cognitive function and greater life satisfaction in their later years. This isn’t merely about keeping busy – it’s about maintaining genuine engagement with life. It’s essential to actively seek out ways […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

Exploring Age with Perspective

As I go through life’s journey, I often think about how our views on age change. In my early twenties, I felt like time was flying by, making me feel old. Now, at 66, I face different challenges, like dealing with physical issues and knee pain. But, that’s just part of getting older. Physiotherapy might […]

From Midlife to Milestones: Navigating a Century of Opportunities

My main focus is on the retirement transition, but we can also consider our future earlier, around midlife. With children born today likely to live to 100, there is much talk of the 100-year life. So around 50 we move into the second half of life. The Government have been talking about Midlife MOTs, I’ve […]

40 Years Later: Revisiting Maggie Kuhn’s Vision for a World without Ageism

I’ve recently watched a video with Maggie Kuhn, founder of the Gray Panthers, dedicated to fighting age discrimination. It’s from 40 years ago and the interviewer will be my age or older now. I wonder if she thinks differently now?. Key Messages The interviewer begins by asking what Maggie thinks of the terms: golden agers, mature […]