Life Starts at Retirement

Happiness in retirement doesn’t always arrive automatically. Sometimes, it begins with the small things we choose to do every day.

In Part 2 of my September series, we’re talking about **The Happiness Habit**—seven simple habits that can give your days more structure, connection, purpose and joy. These aren’t dramatic life changes. They’re small, realistic things you can begin doing today—even if retirement hasn’t felt quite as happy or fulfilling as you expected.

In this video, we’ll explore seven happiness habits:
00:00 – Introduction
03:13 – 1. Give the day a beginning
05:02 – 2. Put one thing on the calendar to look forward to
06:18 – 3. Move your body to change the channel
07:42 – 4. Notice one good thing while it’s happening
09:38 – 5. Make one small human connection
11:27 – 6. Do one thing that makes you feel useful
12:58 – 7. End the day positively

You don’t need to completely reinvent your life. Choose just one habit and begin there. Because happiness isn’t always something we find—it’s often something we practice.

Which of these seven habits could make the biggest difference in your life? Let me know in the comments. And if you know someone who could use a little more happiness in their retirement, please share this video with them. Subscribe to **Life Starts at Retirement** for honest conversations, encouragement and practical ideas to help make your retirement

Retirement can leave you wondering: Who am I now? Without the job, the routine, and the responsibilities that once defined your days, it’s easy to feel a little lost.

But perhaps you’re not lost at all. Perhaps you’re becoming someone new.

In this video, we’ll talk about the emotional side of retirement—the loss of identity, the uncertainty, and the opportunity to rediscover who you are beyond your working years. You don’t need to have everything figured out. This new chapter isn’t about finding your way back to the person you were. It’s about giving yourself permission to become the person you are now.

If retirement hasn’t felt quite the way you expected, I hope this video reminds you that you’re not alone—and that there is still so much ahead of you.

Please share your thoughts in the comments: What part of yourself are you rediscovering in retirement?

Subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement for honest conversations, encouragement, and practical ideas for making your retirement remarkable.

#Retirement #LifeAfterRetirement #RetirementMentalHealth

Last week, I didn’t make a video.

It wasn’t because I had run out of ideas or because something terrible had happened. I was simply full.

After six consecutive weeks at the trailer with different grandchildren, working on my speeches, continuing my work as a mortgage broker, and travelling to Edmonton to help my mom, I reached the point where I couldn’t summon the energy to do one more thing—even something I normally enjoy.
Retirement is supposed to give us more time. But somehow, that time can quickly fill with family, responsibilities, projects, travel and the expectations we place on ourselves.

In this video, I talk about recognizing when your life has become too full, why rest isn’t something we need to earn, and how taking care of yourself sometimes means allowing something to go undone.
A full life can be a wonderful life—but even wonderful things can become heavy when there is no room left to breathe.

Have you ever reached a point where you simply had nothing left to give? I would love to hear how you recognized it—and what helped you make room for yourself again.

#Retirement #RetirementLife #SelfCare #LifeAfter60 #HealthyRetirement

Why do we keep so much stuff?

This year I finally opened the storage room under our stairs — a space that hadn't been touched in years — and found everything from a box of my husband's forgotten beer can collection to baby shoes I could never part with.

Here's what I found, what I kept, what I let go of, and the honest truth about why I'm still not finished.

What's hiding in your storage room, closet, or garage?

Tell me in the comments — I'd love to know I'm not alone. Join our community of 35,000+ retirees in the Life Starts at Retirement Facebook group:   / lifestartsatretirement

Retirement sounds wonderful—but have you talked about what everyday life will actually look like when you’re both home together?

After more than 40 years of marriage, I’ve learned that retiring together can change far more than your schedule. Suddenly, you may be sharing your time, your space, your money—and even the household jobs—in completely new ways.

In this video, I’m sharing seven important conversations every couple should have before retirement. Some are practical, some are uncomfortable, and a few may be conversations you’ve been avoiding. But talking about them now could make your retirement—and your relationship—much happier.
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Introduction
1:18 Who is in charge of the jobs?
2:51 How much togetherness is too much?
4:05 What about money?
5:31 How will you divide the household tasks?
7:40 What are your retirement goals?
8:54 Have you talked about death?
9:49 What do you want your legacy to be?

Which of these conversations have you already had—and which one do you still need to have? I’d love to hear from you in the comments.

Subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement for honest conversations, practical advice, and inspiration for making your retirement remarkable.