I would add, permission to outgrow old versions of yourself. You don’t have to keep being the person your career trained you to become. Retirement can be about becoming someone different.
These are great observations. I particularly liked the idea of having one reason to leave the house every day.
A solitary walk, meeting a friend, joining a group activity — sometimes one intentional action outside the house is enough to make the whole day feel different.
The simple act of leaving the house opens up so many possibilities — from a short walk, to a coffee, to a social gathering, to an adventure hike somewhere new.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply stepping outside in the first place.
The pension gives you the money. It does not give you a life structure. That part has to be built: reasons to leave the house, people to stay close to, something to learn badly, and enough movement to keep the walls from closing in. Retirement is not just funded time — it’s unstructured time, and that’s a very different asset to manage.
For me, the real value of this list is to make us think so that we can tailor it to our own situation.
Perhaps not everything on this list is required for someone to have a successful and fulfilling retirement. That's not the point. In my opinion, the takeaway is we all need our version of a "starter pack" that's editable, adjustable, and expandable.
For example, the TV does not get turned on until after dinner.
The other thing I do is add even the small stuff I want or need to get done during the week to my calendar. This gives me the illusion of structure and order just like when I had lots of meetings on my work calendar.
I agree with this. This is a list that works for me. Hopefully most things will help others, but it should make us all think about what’s right for us as individuals. I keep a monthly calendar on the wall in the kitchen. I can see at a glance then if I’m getting too busy or don’t have enough planned. It’s a great visual reminder for the month.
Beautifully said. Permission is a huge part of retirement that nobody really talks about. The people who seem happiest in retirement often don’t abandon who they were, they carry the best parts forward into a different rhythm of life.
Fair point. For me, I can easily get sucked in to watching it for too long. Before I know it my morning has gone. I’ve found that if I get my mornings right, the day is a better day.
This is a fantastic and necessary list. Every pension statement acts like life stops at the bottom line, ignoring the hidden line items that actually dictate our quality of life.
I’d love to add a 13th item: The Identity Tax. Every pension statement shows what you'll receive in cash, but none of them account for the social capital you lose when you leave the office. If we don’t plan for the cost of replacing our professional purpose and community, the numbers on that page will never feel like enough-but then again, you write often and eloquently on that aspect of transition into retirement. Spot on article, agree with every point!
That’s a great addition. I really like that phrase “Identity Tax”. It captures something those pension documents completely ignore. The numbers are only half the story. The other half is what we leave behind in terms of role, rhythm, and belonging. Thanks for this one.
Very true; pension booklets are great for the rhythm of our bank account, but they’re silent on the rhythm of our Monday mornings. You’ve been doing a brilliant job of showing that retirement isn't just an exit, but an evolution. That’s why your work is such a vital bridge; you're filling the void where the formal documents leave off.
Your List is great to help folks avoid what I call Highly Processed Filler (HPF) Time. Like Highly Processed Food (HPF), Highly Processed Filler Time (excessive day time TV, scrolling on phone, or too much social media) is detrimental to your physical and mental wellbeing. Dulls the senses and often makes use less likely to get up and experience our world.
Love it. That’s such a good way of framing it. “Highly Processed Filler Time” feels like the retirement equivalent of empty calories. Easy to consume. Hard to feel nourished by afterwards.
I am semi retired. I feel like I am doing volunteer work but getting paid. I am 71 but not the oldest in my setting. Sometimes I feel like I am afraid to quit and then I fear I may regret not quitting sooner. I am lucky to have that option.
Afraid to quit and afraid to regret not quitting sooner is probably one of the most relatable retirement sentences for lots of people. It sounds like you’ve created a very enviable middle ground though. Useful, valued, engaged, and still with flexibility. That’s a rare balance, so I can understand your position. The fact you still enjoy what you do enough to describe it that way is probably a good sign. Sometimes the challenge isn’t knowing when to stop working, it’s knowing what you’re walking toward next.
‘Afraid to quit’ lingered until my wife (already retired) and I met with a financial planner and he asked ‘Why aren’t you already retired?’ A month later I did (10/30/2025).
I always thought the lucky ones were those who could get employment until they retired.
In Australia it's illegal to refuse to employ someone because of their age.
So, they refused to employ me because I was "Over Qualified".
I guess I was wrong. Unemployment taught me about retirement.
A weekly planner is a good idea. I've fixed up my computer to show me the day of the week in the bottom right corner.
Every thursday I go to the market. I ask my landlord on Wednesday if he is going to the market tomorrow. He often says "This is Tuesday".
It's not only retirement that can cause this trouble. I used to go to the barbershop singing rehearsal every tuesday evening, and I was the church organist every Sunday. Then deafness struck, and both were removed from my callendar.
Leave the house? I go days without leaving the house since my dog died. It used to make me walk twice a day. I daren't get another, because if I die before it does my landlord will let it starve.
If you're a substack author you think that will keep you occupied.
It doesn't... I'm seven weeks ahead with my weekly blog and I daren't change to a daily blog because if I ever get the flu again there would be several days when I couldn't write.
So, I wrote a book about using Maps.me. Now that the 21 chapters are written, I don't know what to do with it, but it doesn't matter. I had fun writing it.
I'm trying to get started with Housesitters, but my phone company doesn't accept SMS verification from abroad. Once I can get going with that I'll once more have the joys and frustrations of travelling to and from the sits.
The dogs won't let me miss out on my two walks a day.
I'll have to keep a close watch on the callendar for the start and end of each sit, and juggle the amount of food that I have for the remaining time.
And I'll still be able to edit my photographs and prepare my Substack posts on my laptop just as easily as at home.
Although I like your "no tv before noon" rule on principle....an hour of my favorite news channel (CBC) over breakfast is a great way to be on top on things.
And....I try very hard to schedule a pyjama day every week....in the house, me stuff, extra time for reading, brunch, maybe a little random tidying, lots of kitty cuddles (I have 4)....no rush....clean pjs on after a shower or, even better, a soak in the tub. And games & animal videos only on my devices
I like both of these. Your breakfast news habit feels intentional and not just default consumption, which is probably the key difference. You’re not the first person to mention this. Your pyjama day sounds like proper recovery time, not passive drift. My wife has just read your comment and says these sound perfect. She loves her animal videos as well.
I would add, permission to outgrow old versions of yourself. You don’t have to keep being the person your career trained you to become. Retirement can be about becoming someone different.
Yes, I like that one. I’m 7 years in to retirement and I’m most definitely a different person now than I was whilst working.
These are great observations. I particularly liked the idea of having one reason to leave the house every day.
A solitary walk, meeting a friend, joining a group activity — sometimes one intentional action outside the house is enough to make the whole day feel different.
That feels like a real win in retirement.
Thank you. I found in the early weeks of retirement I did have days where I stayed in. Very quickly I realised it wasn’t a great habit.
I can completely see how that happens.
The simple act of leaving the house opens up so many possibilities — from a short walk, to a coffee, to a social gathering, to an adventure hike somewhere new.
Sometimes the hardest part is simply stepping outside in the first place.
The pension gives you the money. It does not give you a life structure. That part has to be built: reasons to leave the house, people to stay close to, something to learn badly, and enough movement to keep the walls from closing in. Retirement is not just funded time — it’s unstructured time, and that’s a very different asset to manage.
So true. In so many ways, it’s the opposite of working life.
For me, the real value of this list is to make us think so that we can tailor it to our own situation.
Perhaps not everything on this list is required for someone to have a successful and fulfilling retirement. That's not the point. In my opinion, the takeaway is we all need our version of a "starter pack" that's editable, adjustable, and expandable.
For example, the TV does not get turned on until after dinner.
The other thing I do is add even the small stuff I want or need to get done during the week to my calendar. This gives me the illusion of structure and order just like when I had lots of meetings on my work calendar.
I agree with this. This is a list that works for me. Hopefully most things will help others, but it should make us all think about what’s right for us as individuals. I keep a monthly calendar on the wall in the kitchen. I can see at a glance then if I’m getting too busy or don’t have enough planned. It’s a great visual reminder for the month.
Another example of how valuable your writing is when you share your real life observations. Great list by the way.
Thank you. It’s good to hear your thoughts on them. Maybe an article you could do to share a different perspective on it.
I’d love to take a crack at a similar article. Thank you for the idea. I’ll try to do it justice.
Give yourself permission to enjoy what you worked for! Less letting go, more repurposing who you are
Beautifully said. Permission is a huge part of retirement that nobody really talks about. The people who seem happiest in retirement often don’t abandon who they were, they carry the best parts forward into a different rhythm of life.
I am retiring this January coming looking forward to it so that list is very helpful
Thanks Joe. Enjoy those last few months working and wishing you all the best for your retirement.
Thank you for confirming and adding micro (vs. macro points to check).
I have four 'macro' activity boxes to check daily: Mental, Physical, Spiritual/Quiet time, & Social- which helps me balance the day.
What I like about this is that it turns retirement from What should I do today? into Have I nourished the important parts of life today?
Not sure I agree with the no tv before noon rule, but I get the point. I like to catch up with the news first thing in the morning.
Fair point. For me, I can easily get sucked in to watching it for too long. Before I know it my morning has gone. I’ve found that if I get my mornings right, the day is a better day.
How about a habit tracker for healthy habits like walking and exercise?
Yes, I like that one. A simple habit tracker would be a great addition.
This is a fantastic and necessary list. Every pension statement acts like life stops at the bottom line, ignoring the hidden line items that actually dictate our quality of life.
I’d love to add a 13th item: The Identity Tax. Every pension statement shows what you'll receive in cash, but none of them account for the social capital you lose when you leave the office. If we don’t plan for the cost of replacing our professional purpose and community, the numbers on that page will never feel like enough-but then again, you write often and eloquently on that aspect of transition into retirement. Spot on article, agree with every point!
That’s a great addition. I really like that phrase “Identity Tax”. It captures something those pension documents completely ignore. The numbers are only half the story. The other half is what we leave behind in terms of role, rhythm, and belonging. Thanks for this one.
Very true; pension booklets are great for the rhythm of our bank account, but they’re silent on the rhythm of our Monday mornings. You’ve been doing a brilliant job of showing that retirement isn't just an exit, but an evolution. That’s why your work is such a vital bridge; you're filling the void where the formal documents leave off.
Glad what I called identity tax resonated!
Your List is great to help folks avoid what I call Highly Processed Filler (HPF) Time. Like Highly Processed Food (HPF), Highly Processed Filler Time (excessive day time TV, scrolling on phone, or too much social media) is detrimental to your physical and mental wellbeing. Dulls the senses and often makes use less likely to get up and experience our world.
Love it. That’s such a good way of framing it. “Highly Processed Filler Time” feels like the retirement equivalent of empty calories. Easy to consume. Hard to feel nourished by afterwards.
Wait, pension?!? Where am I? What timeline is this? Pension??
I am semi retired. I feel like I am doing volunteer work but getting paid. I am 71 but not the oldest in my setting. Sometimes I feel like I am afraid to quit and then I fear I may regret not quitting sooner. I am lucky to have that option.
Afraid to quit and afraid to regret not quitting sooner is probably one of the most relatable retirement sentences for lots of people. It sounds like you’ve created a very enviable middle ground though. Useful, valued, engaged, and still with flexibility. That’s a rare balance, so I can understand your position. The fact you still enjoy what you do enough to describe it that way is probably a good sign. Sometimes the challenge isn’t knowing when to stop working, it’s knowing what you’re walking toward next.
‘Afraid to quit’ lingered until my wife (already retired) and I met with a financial planner and he asked ‘Why aren’t you already retired?’ A month later I did (10/30/2025).
Sometimes you just need an independent nudge.
I always thought the lucky ones were those who could get employment until they retired.
In Australia it's illegal to refuse to employ someone because of their age.
So, they refused to employ me because I was "Over Qualified".
I guess I was wrong. Unemployment taught me about retirement.
A weekly planner is a good idea. I've fixed up my computer to show me the day of the week in the bottom right corner.
Every thursday I go to the market. I ask my landlord on Wednesday if he is going to the market tomorrow. He often says "This is Tuesday".
It's not only retirement that can cause this trouble. I used to go to the barbershop singing rehearsal every tuesday evening, and I was the church organist every Sunday. Then deafness struck, and both were removed from my callendar.
Leave the house? I go days without leaving the house since my dog died. It used to make me walk twice a day. I daren't get another, because if I die before it does my landlord will let it starve.
If you're a substack author you think that will keep you occupied.
It doesn't... I'm seven weeks ahead with my weekly blog and I daren't change to a daily blog because if I ever get the flu again there would be several days when I couldn't write.
So, I wrote a book about using Maps.me. Now that the 21 chapters are written, I don't know what to do with it, but it doesn't matter. I had fun writing it.
I'm trying to get started with Housesitters, but my phone company doesn't accept SMS verification from abroad. Once I can get going with that I'll once more have the joys and frustrations of travelling to and from the sits.
The dogs won't let me miss out on my two walks a day.
I'll have to keep a close watch on the callendar for the start and end of each sit, and juggle the amount of food that I have for the remaining time.
And I'll still be able to edit my photographs and prepare my Substack posts on my laptop just as easily as at home.
It sounds like the house sitting will be perfect for you. I hope you can get that sorted. Could you do the blog maybe twice weekly rather than daily.
Thanks... that's a good idea. I'll have to think about it.
Two random observations....
Although I like your "no tv before noon" rule on principle....an hour of my favorite news channel (CBC) over breakfast is a great way to be on top on things.
And....I try very hard to schedule a pyjama day every week....in the house, me stuff, extra time for reading, brunch, maybe a little random tidying, lots of kitty cuddles (I have 4)....no rush....clean pjs on after a shower or, even better, a soak in the tub. And games & animal videos only on my devices
I like both of these. Your breakfast news habit feels intentional and not just default consumption, which is probably the key difference. You’re not the first person to mention this. Your pyjama day sounds like proper recovery time, not passive drift. My wife has just read your comment and says these sound perfect. She loves her animal videos as well.