Rethinking the “Age Wave”: Embracing the Opportunities of a Longer Life
The way we talk about ageing matters. Describing demographic change as an “age wave” or worse, a “retirement tsunami”, fuels a fear-based narrative that frames longer lives as a crisis rather than an evolution. As a 67-year-old psychologist and later-life coach with a doctorate in meaningful ageing, I see this shift not as a disaster […]
Rethinking Life Expectancy: Beyond the Oversimplified Narrative
Introduction The claim that life expectancy has more than doubled over the past century is widely cited in media, policy discussions, and public discourse. While technically accurate, this statistic is misleading without proper context. As a researcher who obtained my PhD at 64, specialising in retirement adjustment and meaningful ageing, I have watched this narrative […]
Changing Gears: Navigating Retirement for Athletes and Executives
When thinking about retirement we think about people at the end of their main working lives, usually in their 60s. We can forget about athletes, and how they retire much earlier. There’s been much in the press on Andy Murray and how he may not be fit for Wimbledon and/or The Olympics and what will […]
The Quest for Meaningful Work
Meaningful Work: Insights from Research and Practice Throughout my career as a career psychologist and researcher, I’ve been fascinated by how individuals seek out meaningful work and construct meaning in their professional lives. This fascination led me to pursue a PhD at age 64, examining how people find meaning in life after full-time work. Today, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Retirement Inequality
Let’s get real. Not everybody is going to have a fulfilling retirement. Not everybody has the luxury of being able to do well-paid consultancy or to have a significant income so that work becomes something they can choose to do. There are so many people out there who are going to live exist on the […]
I could live to 100
Or 93 according to the Living to 100 web site It’s a really interesting assessment to do, and better if you can add accurate blood pressure and cholesterol readings. You also get a detailed report for how to add years with suggestions. For a free assessment I highly recommend it. It tells me I should […]
An Exploration of Reflexivity in Retirement Research
Echoes of Experience: An Exploration of Reflexivity in Retirement Research Let’s take a break from the practical articles I’ve been sharing, and dive into the contemplative side of my research, particularly focusing on reflexivity. Whether you’re in the midst of considering retirement, already enjoying your retired life, or assisting clients in this transition, it’s crucial […]