Life Starts at Retirement

One of you wants to get out early and explore. The other wants a leisurely breakfast. One enjoys a busy itinerary; the other needs more downtime. How do you plan a holiday that feels good for both of you?

In this video, I’m sharing seven practical ways to travel together and both enjoy it—especially in retirement, when we may have more time to travel but different interests, energy levels, and ideas about spending money.
We’ll talk about discussing expectations before booking, agreeing on a budget, sharing the planning, respecting each other’s pace, and making room for separate interests. We’ll also look at how to speak up before small frustrations become arguments. A good trip gives both people a say in how they spend their time. Sometimes that means exploring together. Sometimes it means spending an afternoon apart and having something new to talk about over dinner.

What do you and your travel partner do differently—and what helps you make it work? Share your experience in the comments.

Subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement for honest conversations and practical ideas about making your retirement remarkable. #RetirementTravel #CouplesTravel #LifeStartsAtRetirement

Are you waiting for your next trip to do something different? You don’t have to go far—or spend a lot—to make retirement more interesting.

In this video, I’m talking about adventures close to home and why they can matter more than we expect. A visit to a nearby town, a local history tour, a class you’ve been curious about, or a walk somewhere unfamiliar can give us something we may be missing: a chance to learn, meet people, and discover interests beyond our usual routine.

I also talk about the things that can hold us back—cost, mobility, going alone, or feeling awkward as a beginner—and how to find an adventure that fits our circumstances.
Retirement gives us an opportunity to make room for our own interests. We don’t have to save that opportunity for a holiday.

What’s somewhere close to home you’ve always meant to explore? Tell me in the comments—or share a small adventure that turned out to mean more than you expected.

Subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement for honest conversations and practical ideas about making your retirement remarkable.
#RetirementLife #LocalAdventures #LifeStartsAtRetirement

Travelling in my 60s is teaching me more than the history of the places I visit. It’s helping me understand my energy, my priorities, and what makes an experience worthwhile.

In this video, I share seven honest lessons about travelling after 60—from considering demanding journeys while they’re manageable to choosing comfort, asking for help, and deciding what I’m willing to miss.

I also talk about changing plans when they no longer work, leaving time for the people we meet, and bringing something useful home into everyday retirement.

Getting older doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. But thinking carefully about our health, mobility, budget, and interests can help us plan experiences we’ll actually enjoy.
Whether you love overseas travel or prefer exploring closer to home, these lessons reach beyond the itinerary.

What has travelling as you’ve grown older taught you? Have you changed your pace, your priorities, or the way you plan? Share your experience in the comments.

I’m Maureen with Life Starts at Retirement, where we talk about making your retirement remarkable.
Subscribe for thoughtful conversations about retirement, travel, relationships, and enjoying life after 60.
#TravelAfter60 #RetirementTravel #LifeStartsAtRetirement

What have you been saving for “someday”?

A trip, time with someone you love, a new interest—or something you’ve wanted to do for years?
In retirement, we may finally have more freedom, but it can still be surprisingly easy to postpone the experiences that matter to us. There’s always another responsibility, another reason to wait, or the hope that a better time will come.

In this video, I reflect on making retirement memories now, allowing our dreams to change with us, and taking practical steps that fit our lives today.
This doesn’t have to mean an expensive holiday or a dramatic life change. It might begin with arranging a visit, exploring somewhere nearby, or giving an interest of your own a place on the calendar.

What is one thing you’d like to stop putting off? Tell me in the comments—I’d love to hear it.

I’m Maureen with Life Starts at Retirement, where we talk about making your retirement remarkable.
Subscribe for thoughtful conversations about retirement, relationships, purpose, travel, and enjoying this stage of life.
#RetirementLife #LifeStartsAtRetirement #RetirementTravel

As we get older, some life lessons begin to mean more than they once did.

In this video, I share nine reminders about protecting your peace, choosing kindness, caring for your health, taking chances, and deciding what success means to you now. These lessons made me pause and reflect on what deserves my time and energy in this chapter of life.
I hope one of them speaks to you, too. Which lesson resonated with you most? And what lesson would you add from your own life? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

I’m Maureen, and this is Life Starts at Retirement—where we talk about making retirement healthy, meaningful, and remarkable.
If you enjoy the conversation, please like, subscribe, and share this video with someone who might appreciate it.

Chapters: 0:00 Introduction
1:29 Live for peace, not approval
3:06 Not every battle deserves your energy
4:22 Choose a kind heart, not just a beautiful face
5:40 If it costs your peace, it’s too expensive
7:20 Most of today’s worries won’t matter in five years
8:43 Your body is your most important investment
10:18 We often regret not trying more than failing
11:40 Time alone doesn’t heal everything
13:13 Redefine what success means to you
#LifeLessons #RetirementLife #LifeStartsAtRetirement

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.

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: http://facebook.com/groups/lifestartsatretirement

#retirement #retired life

Retirement is supposed to be relaxing... but no one tells you how quiet life can suddenly become. It isn't just the alarm clock that disappears. It's the little sounds, routines, conversations, and moments that quietly fade away—often before you even realize they're gone.

In this video, I share the seven things that became unexpectedly quiet after retirement, along with the simple ways I learned to fill those spaces with purpose, connection, and joy.

If you're already retired—or getting close—I think you'll recognize yourself in at least a few of these.

❤️ I'd love to hear from you. Which one surprised you the most? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Timestamps
0:00 - Introduction
0:58 - Alarm clock
2:24 - Little conversations
3:51 - Having a title
4:55 - Deadlines
5:56 - Being needed
7:26 - Payday

If you're enjoying these conversations, please consider subscribing to Life Starts at Retirement, where we talk honestly about making retirement one of the best chapters of life.

Here is the video of how I felt when my granddaughter was at our trailer this summer. Watching my granddaughter become so independent filled me with pride—but if I'm honest, it also left a little ache in my heart. https://youtu.be/Df877eDaOEI

Last week, my 15-year-old granddaughter came out to our trailer with a friend — and for the first time, I realized she doesn't really need me anymore. It hit harder than I expected.

In this video, I'm talking about the quiet, complicated grief of watching grandkids grow up — the kind nobody warns you about in retirement. Nobody has done anything wrong. Nothing bad has happened. It's exactly what's supposed to happen. And it still hurts a little.

We talk a lot about retirement finances, staying active, finding hobbies. But nobody tells you retirement is also full of quiet goodbyes — the last board game, the last time they want you to push them on the swing, the last sleepover where they still want Grandma to read a story. You rarely recognize these moments while you're living them.

If you've felt this too — with grandkids, or your own kids growing into teenagers — I'd love to hear about it in the comments. I read every one.

💬 Related video: 6 Lies I Believed About Strength https://youtu.be/fmC4vSgoC6E?si=eIhYDTfchb7QEzTl

#retirement #grandparents #lifeafterretirement

Last week I shared one of the hardest videos I've ever made — and so many of you told me "I thought I was the only one."
That got me thinking about the lies I've believed about what it means to be strong, and how they shaped my entire life, including retirement.

In this video, I'm breaking down 6 lies I believed about strength — the quiet rules I never questioned until real life stopped asking permission.
From "strong people don't struggle" to "if I say it out loud, it becomes real," these are the beliefs that kept me quiet for far too long.

If any of these resonate with you, I'd love to hear which one in the comments.

💬 Related video: https://youtu.be/zN0bQZZ_LbI?si=lRhFx-dnQgrEsA8I
#retirement #mentalhealth #strength

0:00 Intro 1:43 Lie 1: Strong people don't struggle
3:22 Lie 2: If I'm grateful, I don't have the right to struggle
4:42 Lie 3: Retirement should automatically make me happy
6:04 Lie 4: Needing help means I'm failing
7:18 Lie 5: If I say it out loud, it becomes real
9:23 Lie 6: Nobody wants to hear the hard parts

When I envisioned retirement, I pictured endless free time, relaxation, and pure happiness. But recently, I’ve been struggling with a wave of anxiety that I didn't see coming—and even worse, a deep sense of shame or disappointment for not feeling as happy as I "should" be.

We always say retirement is supposed to be the happiest chapter of our lives. So why don't we talk about the days when it isn't?

This is one of the most personal videos I've ever shared. After losing my dad, caring for my mom, trying to be there for my husband, my children, and my six grandchildren, I found myself struggling with feelings I never expected. For years, I believed that being strong meant never struggling. Maybe I was wrong.

In this video, I'm opening up about anxiety, grief, retirement, and what I've learned about strength, kindness, and giving ourselves permission to be human. If you've ever wondered why retirement feels harder than you expected—or if you've been carrying emotions you haven't shared with anyone—I hope this conversation reminds you that you're not alone.

❤️ If this video speaks to you, I'd love to hear your story in the comments.
Thank you for being part of the Life Starts at Retirement community.

Disclaimer: I am sharing my personal story and lived experience. If you are struggling deeply with anxiety or depression, please consider reaching out to a mental health professional. #retirement #mentalhealth #retirementjourney #anxiety #lifeafterwork

Retirement is supposed to be one of the happiest seasons of life—but it can also be one of the biggest adjustments a marriage will ever face

After 43 years together, Ken and I discovered that retirement changed more than our schedules. It changed how we communicated, how we shared our space, how we divided responsibilities, and even how we saw each other.

In this video, I'm sharing six lessons we learned the hard way:

✔ Love needs space.
✔ You have to get to know each other again.
✔ Communication becomes more important than ever.
✔ Roles need to be redefined.
✔ Contentment comes from building a life together—not expecting your spouse to provide all your happiness.
✔ It's about the partnership

If you're retired, about to retire, or simply wondering what this next chapter might look like, I hope our story helps make your journey a little easier. Retirement is more than leaving work. Sometimes it's learning to fall in love with the same person all over again.

Please check out my video about letting go of caring https://youtu.be/ZLc0ffvWalM

#retirement #retirement advice #marriage tips

Are you struggling with retirement planning? Learn how to navigate life after work and avoid the common pitfalls retirees face.

Over 40% of retirees report feeling unprepared for the transition into their post-career years. This video provides practical strategies to help you navigate this major life change with confidence. Whether you are nearing retirement or have already stepped away from your career, these insights will help you build a more fulfilling retirement experience.

In this video I'll explore 6 important areas that many people overlook before they retire. From reviewing your finances for peace of mind to protecting your health, preparing for emotional ups and downs, and learning how to let go of the career you've left behind, these simple steps can help make your retirement...remarkable.

Subscribe for weekly retirement lifestyle breakdowns, and comment below with your biggest worry about life after work so we can cover it in a future episode.

To learn more about the4 stages of retirement, please check out this video. https://youtu.be/-YV971xqGkY

#retirement #retirement lifestyle #how to retire

Effective retirement planning should begin at least 5 years before you actually retire. If retirement is getting closer, it can be hard to know what you should actually be doing — and when.

In this video, I walk through a simple 5-year retirement countdown: what to focus on 5 years before retirement, 4 years before, 3 years before, 2 years before, and in your final year before you leave work.

We’ll talk about the financial retirement income plan, practical, and personal steps that can make retirement feel much less overwhelming — from checking your numbers and reducing debt to thinking through healthcare, income, lifestyle, and what you actually want retirement to look like.

If you’re within 5 years of retirement, this video will help you build a clearer plan and avoid leaving important decisions until the last minute. If you enjoy practical retirement advice and real-life ideas for making retirement remarkable, I’d love to have you subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement.

#retirementplanning #retirementchecklist #retirementtips #retiringsoon #lifestartsatretirement

Retirement isn't just about what you start doing—it's also about what you stop doing.

In this video, we'll explore 9 things many retirees continue doing that quietly steal happiness, peace of mind, and fulfillment. From worrying about what others think to obsessing over finances and postponing experiences, these habits can keep you from enjoying the retirement you've worked so hard to achieve.

If you're retired, nearing retirement, or simply planning ahead, these lessons may help you make the most of the years ahead.

In this video:
✔ Stop spending money on things that don't bring joy
✔ Stop staying busy just to feel productive
✔ Stop putting off meaningful experiences
✔ Stop worrying about other people's opinions
✔ Stop neglecting your health
✔ Stop waiting for the perfect time
✔ Stop letting the news control your mood
✔ Stop obsessing over your financial plan
✔ Stop living as if you have forever

Remember: Retirement isn't the end of life—it's the beginning of living on your own terms.

Subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement for practical tips, inspiration, travel ideas, and strategies to help make your retirement remarkable.
#Retirement #RetirementPlanning #LifeStartsAtRetirement

Are you holding back on your dream of seeing the world because you're worried about the cost? In this video, we are breaking down the ultimate guide to traveling the world in retirement without breaking the bank!

After years of hard work, it's finally time to enjoy the fruits of your labor and explore. I’m sharing my best insider tips for retirees to find affordable flights, budget-friendly accommodations, cheap (but amazing) local food, and incredible free or low-cost activities. You don't need a fortune to make your retirement lifestyle truly remarkable!

Join our community of retirees over on our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lifestartsatretirement

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - The Truth About Retirement Travel
01:26 - How to Score Affordable Flights (The Best Tools)
04:42 - Hidden Accommodation Gems for Retirees
07:02 - Eating Like a Local Without Breaking the Bank
09:09 - Incredible Activities That Cost Next to Nothing

If you enjoyed honest conversations about retirement lifestyle, purpose, travel, happiness, and aging well, please subscribe to Life Starts at Retirement!

#RetirementTravel #BudgetTravel #LifeStartsAtRetirement #RetiredLife #SeniorTravel Tips