As much as I hate to see the end of these luxurious summer days, I often find I am energized in the Fall. Maybe it’s the residual effect of fall always signaling the start of a new school year. But the feel of fall is also invigorating. The slight coolness in the air and wonderful earthy smells invite you to step outdoors. I particularly enjoy trail walking in the fall, when the bugs are down and the colours are spectacular. Fall is also a time when I like to start new projects. Sometimes this involves taking a class. At other times this might just be taking on a new house project or resolving to exercise more. Actually, I think there should be Fall resolutions (rather than New Year’s resolutions.) I am much more motivated in the Fall. I am wondering if others feel similarly invigorated in the Fall. Will you be starting something new? You can share your thoughts at our next coffee get-together. We’ll let you know the time and place sometime in the next couple of weeks.

With Brooke Broadbent and Julie Chahal

v     Share Brooke’s retirement experiences and journey to self-discovery.

v     Examine and redefine retirement – its challenges, insights and rewards.

v     Participate in the discussion with Julie Chahal, who will discuss her book, Happily Retired: What Works and What Doesn’t.

v     View slides from the Camino de Santiago.

Watch this blog for details.  Email us at events@happily-retired.com if you would like to be on our mailing list.

Indie Book Writer says that

“according to Nielsen BookScan, fewer than 10 percent of new titles published in the U.S. in 2007 sold more than 1,000 copies in their first year.”

Based on this kind of statistic, we feel that this is quite an accomplishment for a self-published non-fiction book in Canada.

Personally, I like being  useful and getting a chance to show off my hard-won skills.  I do go through cycles of enthusiasm and disinterest in volunteering.  Just now, my current involvements are feeling a bit stale.

Any suggestions for something new and different?

What have been your experiences?

This is the second of what we hope will become a monthly event.

Join other recent retirees for an informal discussion about adjusting to retirement.  Share your experiences and ideas and hear how others are adapting to this new phase of life.  Drop in for coffee and stimulating conversation:

The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main St., Ottawa   K1S 1C6

Look for the poster of our book cover at the back corner.

We were delighted to have a group of 10 retirees join us for a coffee get-together today in Ottawa at the Green Door restaurant.

This was an informal gathering, and conversation ranged from talking about the transition into retirement to how to regain some structure in your life once you stop working full-time.  We talked a bit about how to avoid “busyness” in favour of activities that are rewarding and provide a sense of accomplishment.  We did, however, agree that it is not necessary to feel productive all of the time.  There was lots of commonality in our group and it was rewarding to talk to people who are pretty much at the same stage in retirement.  Some were newly retired or about to retire, while others had been retired for a few years.  Everyone still felt the need for vitality in their life – and most confessed to feeling bogged down sometimes as they searched for new avenues to explore.  A couple of practical suggestions emerged.  One of our participants indicated that the Ontario Volunteer Centre tries to find volunteer positions that are a good match for an individual’s skills.  Several people felt that joining groups was a good way to maintain social contact and meet new people.  The Art of Living was highly recommended.  This is a group that offers courses aimed at reducing stress and learning to meditate.  The Art of Living has Centres around the world.

Today’s get together was an experiment, but the group was a lively one and everyone had something interesting to contribute.  We are hoping to run another similar coffee next month.  Watch the website for details – or send us an e-mail if you would like a notice on when this is happening.

If you attended today’s coffee, we invite you to post your own thoughts on the event.  Also – if you are hoping to attend  an upcoming coffee hour, what kinds of topics would you like to see discussed?  We’ll do the organizing, but we would like to see everyone join in to help make this type of gathering a rewarding “break” for busy retirees.

Recently, an article in a Canadian newspaper has sparked debate about the appropriate characterization of a “Zoomer”, otherwise known as a Boomer who has reached retirement age.  The glossy magazine “Zommer” puts forward an image of retirees who are still full of zip.  The articles try to inspire those 50+ not to think of themselves as aging, but instead to see endless potential for staying “youngish” and vital.  Columnist Mireille Silcoff (who is not yet 50) thinks the effort is artificial and depressing.

I have mixed feelings.  On the one hand, to strive to be endlessly youthful ignores some of the genuine pleasures of getting older:  time, freedom and the confidence to be yourself.  On the other hand society has in the past been too ready to put people out to pasture once they reach retirement age, and the idea of  being a “Zoomer” is a good counter to that image.  What do you think?

http://www.zoomermag.com/

You can check out Silcoff’s critique of Zoomer Magazine here: http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2945784

And Zoomer Magazine’s founder’s (Moses Znaimer) response here: http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=2963361

Join us for an informal get together with other boomer (ish) retirees.  Grab a coffee, ask questions and share your experiences.

The Green Door Restaurant, 198 Main St., Ottawa

2 p.m. on Wednesday, 19 May

Julie Chahal and Linda Lucas, co-authors of Happily Retired  What works . . . what doesn’t,  will get the ball rolling.  The authors have spent a lot of time delving into their own experiences and interviewing other retirees in an effort to understand the issues of retirement and to find out just what makes retirement work.   They will share some of their insights, but the purpose of the “meetup” is to give you an opportunity to share your experiences and meet other retirees.  If you are feeling the loss of connection to your peer group at work or are uncertain about this new stage in life, come to this fun gathering and chat with some like-minded folk.