Happy Saturday friends... well yesterday, I finally created a TikTok account... I know I have been forever behind on this and I am excited to creatively explore in this new area and so it made the list of doing something new everyday this year and I am so excited to connect with y'all over there! So please follow along by clicking HERE! Are you on TikTok? Please leave your link below in the comments so we can all connect together! 

Happy Saturday friends! I hope it is a wonderful weekend! I can't wait to say hello over on TikTok!

            

Happy Tuesday friends! Today I thought it would be fun to share all about my 4am Monday morning routine as a content creator and adjunct professor. You can watch, comment, and like it HERE!

Let’s be honest—retirement can feel strange.

One day, your calendar’s full. Meetings, responsibilities, errands, appointments. The next?

Blank space. You’ve earned the rest, no question. But if you’re anything like most people, you

start to wonder: What now?

It’s not that retirement is bad—it’s just... different. And without structure, it’s easy to fall into

habits that don’t leave you feeling particularly excited or fulfilled.

But here’s the good news: this isn’t the end of your story. It’s just a brand new chapter—and you

get to write it however you want.

Let’s talk about routine.

We all have one. Wake up. Coffee. A little news. Maybe a walk. A few chores. Dinner. TV. Bed.

Repeat.

And hey, there’s nothing wrong with having a rhythm to your days. But when every day starts to

look exactly the same, it’s easy to lose your sense of direction. You might feel busy, but not

necessarily engaged. Or present. Or fulfilled.

This happens to a lot of retirees. And it’s totally normal. After decades of living by someone

else’s schedule, it’s hard to shift into a slower, open-ended way of life.

But that’s where possibility lives.

Forget about what you’re “supposed” to do in retirement. What do you want to do?

Maybe there’s something you always thought about but never pursued—because of kids, work,

or life getting in the way. It could be something big, like traveling the world. Or something simple, like painting again. Learning an instrument. Starting a garden. Joining a community

choir. Taking cooking classes.

This is the season where you finally get to do the things that are just for you—not because you

have to, but because you want to.

You don’t need a life overhaul. You just need to ask: what would make my days feel richer?

There are a few key things that turn “just getting by” into “truly living.” And none of them require

huge amounts of money or dramatic reinventions. Just intention—and maybe a bit of curiosity.

Call it a hobby, a passion project, or just your “thing.” Doesn’t matter what it is. What matters is

that it gets you out of your head and into your life. Start a blog. Build a birdhouse. Volunteer with animals. Whatever lights you up.

Let’s be real: loneliness can creep in, especially when you’re no longer surrounded by

coworkers or daily social interaction. You don’t need a packed social calendar—you just need

connection. A weekly meet-up, a group class, even virtual book clubs can be a great way to stay

in touch with others who get it.

This one’s important. New experiences keep your brain sharp, your heart open, and your spirit

energized. That doesn’t mean you have to become a globetrotter. But stepping outside your

comfort zone—even in small ways—can completely shift your mindset.

Sometimes, that means exploring your own backyard. Other times, it means considering a

destination you’ve always dreamed about but never quite got around to.

That’s where opportunities like Egypt travel for seniors come in. It’s not about checking a box on

a bucket list—it’s about choosing experiences that are designed to meet you where you are.

Comfortable, paced well, and rich with history and culture. The kind of trip that adds meaning to

your memories—not just mileage.

And no, you’re not too old. You’re right on time.

If you want your days to feel fuller, your energy and well-being have to be part of the

conversation. That means keeping your body moving, your mind engaged, and your emotional

health in check.

Walk a little more. Stretch a little longer. Talk to someone when things feel heavy. Take naps if

you need them. Eat food that makes you feel good. Don’t overcomplicate it—just take care of

the person who’s taken care of everyone else for years: you.

You don’t need to be perfect. You just need to be kind to yourself.

Here’s something a lot of people don’t expect in retirement: you still want to feel useful.

That doesn’t mean you have to go back to work. But giving back in some way—sharing your

skills, mentoring, volunteering—can bring a huge sense of purpose. It’s not about being

productive for productivity’s sake. It’s about knowing your time, energy, and presence still

matter.

Because they do.

Don’t overthink it. The best way to break out of a rut is to take one small step.

● Try one new activity this week—even if it’s just a new walking route.

● Say yes to an invitation, even if you don’t feel like it right away.

● Sign up for a class—painting, yoga, history, whatever sounds fun.

● Start dreaming again. Where would you go if nothing was stopping you?

Spoiler alert: Nothing is stopping you.

You’ve done so much. You’ve built a life, raised families, worked hard, made sacrifices. Now’s the time to live on your terms.

That might mean quiet days in a sunlit garden. It might mean planes and passports and new

places. It might mean joining a cause, writing a book, or just deciding that your happiness is

reason enough to do something new.

Whatever “remarkable” looks like for you—it’s not too late. It’s right now.

You don’t have to reinvent everything overnight. You just have to start. That might mean planning something meaningful—like a trip that’s paced for comfort, filled with culture, and designed for people who want more than just a touristy checklist. Or it might mean simply giving yourself permission to explore a different version of your day. Either way, the routine isn’t the limit. It’s just the starting line.

So go on—surprise yourself.