The Weight of Expectations: My Personal Journey Through Comfort, Struggle, and Acceptance
Reading about Kate Manne’s reflections in Unshrinking hit close to home. Her insights on fatphobia and the societal pressures surrounding weight resonated deeply with my own experiences. At 67, I’ve lived through decades of navigating a world where my size felt like a defining factor—a source of both internal battles and external judgment. I’ve struggled […]
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 […]
Give your brain a rest
Hi, it’s Dr Denise down at the wood and it’s a while since I’ve done one of my videos. I just needed to get away, away from home technology. I’ve also not been feeling 100%, and they always say go out and get some fresh air. So, I thought, well, why not drive to my […]
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 […]
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 […]
Why I wrote my latest book
At 61 I started my doctorate, researching how people find meaning in life after full time work, and what are the psychological factors that help. I hadn’t done any academic studies since 1998 when I completed my MBA. I didn’t think I’d be accepted as there is such high demand and would I be able […]
A letter from my 70-year-old self
Today I’m 66. This is the day I get my state pension. A year ago, I spent my birthday reflecting at my wood. Reading poems and notes sent by friends. Watch the video here. This year I’m going away for a few days with my partner, visiting Hawkstone Follies, which I last visited over 25 […]
Time for a review
What type of active ager are you?
Most of us are, or want to be active agers, but what do we mean by that? We can be active in different ways and whilst for some it could be training for a triathlon there are many others ways we could feel we meet with this title. Let’s start with the first one. I’ve […]
Thrive
Hi, it’s Dr. Denise Taylor down at the Wood. And I want you to thrive, not just survive. I think there’s a book somewhere that I’ve read with a title around that. Anyway, I used to know somebody and his standard answer to: how are you getting on? How are you? was plodding on. I […]