CREATING THE PERFECT CRESCENDO IN RETIREMENT

Arriving at retirement is not the crescendo you might think as the score begins again; this time with a different mindset. #retirement #midlife

INTRO

Today I have the next guest in my MIDLIFE SYMPHONY series where I've asked other others to share what they're doing to make the second half of life the best half of life. Suzanne (from Picture Retirement) is sharing today about how she and her husband have been working on discovering what is the perfect balance for them in retirement. It sounds to me like they've gotten it spot on - see what you think...

3 TIPS FOR OP SHOP NOVICES - BECOMING SUSTAINABLY SAVVY

I used to find Thrift Stores dull, dingy, musty and overwhelming. Now I'm discovering they've changed and have a lot to offer the frugal shopper. #sustainable #thrift

DISCOVERING THE ALLURE OF OP SHOPS

Today I'm talking about Op Shopping (or Thrift Shopping if you're not Australian). I've arrived late to the Op Shopping party, but I'm hoping to make up for lost time now that I've finally figured out the appeal of buying secondhand. I'm still not ready for fossicking through all the bric-a-brac to find a treasure in amongst the trash, and I haven't bought any shoes yet, but I've picked up a few clothing gems recently and now understand the attraction these shops hold.

SELF-COMPASSION IS THE KEY TO THE VAST UNKNOWN

We might not know what the future holds, but self-compassion and recognizing our worth is the key to making the most of all life offers. #midlife #compassion

HEADING TO AN UNKNOWN DESTINATION IN LIFE

In January I mentioned in my New Year, New Decade, New Horizons post that I was struggling with the idea of approaching a year and a decade ahead with no clear destination in mind. It's liberating in some ways, but also quite confronting to be a planner without a plan.

LIVING A LIFE WHERE MONDAYS DON'T SUCK ANYMORE

If you dread Mondays then maybe it's time to be brave and make some life changes. It's time to wake up on Monday morning with a smile instead of a grimace. #Mondays

THOSE BAD OLD MONDAYS

Have you noticed there's a world of memes out there that all relate to how awful Mondays are because they're the beginning of another working week? I had a bit of spare time to go surfing around all the Monday memes and came up with a few that reflect what it feels like for a lot of us to be heading into work on a Monday when we're in jobs that suck the joy out of our lives.

HOW AN ICELAND ADVENTURE LED TO MIDLIFE BLOGGING

Erica from Behind the Scenery shares her story about how a visit to Iceland started her on a journey to Midlife blogging and contributing to an Icelandic online magazine. #midlifesymphony #bestlife

Today I have my second guest in my MIDLIFE SYMPHONY series where I've asked others to share what they're doing to make the second half of life the best half of life. Erica (from Behind The Scenerylives on the other side of the world to me and yet we have SO many things in common (including both having been Dental Hygenists in our previous lives).  Today Erica is sharing how writing and blogging have changed the second half of her life for the better - something else I can completely relate to!

4 WAYS TO DESIGN A MINIMALIST MIDLIFE

Midlife is the perfect time to pare down, discard the dross, and focus on what's important. Four areas to focus on. #minimalism #simpleliving

MINIMALISM IN MIDLIFE

I've always had a love for simplicity and living an uncluttered life. The Minimalism Movement has legitimized my preference for "less is more" and made my choices a lot more normal and accepted than they were back in the more indulgent 1990's. 

I read an article recently on simpleminded.life that says there are 13 different types of Minimalists. I could identify with at least three of them, but I think the Mindful Minimalist was the best fit. They define it like this:

HURRY LESS - SLOWING DOWN TO APPRECIATE LIFE

It's time to slow down - step away from the rush, the busyness and the need to always be "on". It's time to live a little more in the moment, to slow down and breathe. #slow #unbusy

HURRY NEVER

One of the recommendations from William Henry Channing in creating a life SYMPHONY is to "hurry never" and as I thought about this concept, I came across the wonderful Swedish term "Fika" which roughly translates into taking a coffee break, but it has a deeper meaning which relates to the idea of slowing down and focusing on meaningful moments. It's about stopping the rush for a moment and slowing down, pausing to breathe and to stop hurrying through life. We need to hurry less, stress less, breathe more, and to stop for a moment to be grateful for this wonderful life we've been given. 

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

Because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks. #ifwewerehavingcoffee

IF WE WERE HAVING COFFEE

If we were having coffee these are a few things I'd be sharing from January. We're in the peak of Summer here in Australia with all the horror of bushfires and cyclones, but here in Western Australia things have been fairly calm and (fortunately) fire-free. January is now behind me and because I always enjoy a good 'Taking Stock' blog post, I hope you'll humour me and sit a while as I share my news. There's nothing like a virtual cuppa and a chat, and I have lots to share from the last few weeks.