Your first big trip.

My wife and I went on an extended trip a few months after we retired. There’s a certain thrill that comes with leaving home for the first extended trip after retirement. It’s different from the vacations you took while working. There are no deadlines to race back to, no emails to answer, no meetings to reschedule. This was our time, fully, completely, unapologetically yours.

The day often begins quietly. We packed our bags with care, double-checked our itinerary, and maybe paused for a moment to notice how different it feels to travel without the pressure of work waiting for you at home. There’s a freedom in this that is hard to describe: the sense that the next days, or weeks, were ours to fill with what we choose.

The first moments in the air brought a mix of excitement and disbelief. We realized that we no longer had to coordinate travel around a boss, colleagues, or a rigid schedule. We could leave in the middle of the week, travel during shoulder season, or stay longer in a place simply because it feels right. This flexibility is a gift many of us never fully appreciate until we experienced it firsthand.

For many of us, this milestone is also deeply emotional. It marks a clear line between life as it was and life as it is becoming. The routines, responsibilities, and pressures that once defined your days are now distant. You are free to explore, to wander, and to embrace the unknown, and in that freedom, there’s joy. There’s exhilaration. There’s a delicious sense of expansion.

Travel at this stage isn’t just about seeing new places. It’s about experiencing life in a way that feels unbounded. You notice things you may have overlooked before: the slower pace of mornings, the sound of distant streets, the way sunlight falls differently in another town, the way conversations can linger because you are no longer racing toward your next obligation. Every moment feels richer, fuller, alive.

This milestone also brings a profound sense of accomplishment. Booking the trip, preparing for it, and finally stepping into it is a celebration of everything you’ve worked for, the decades of dedication, the planning, the savings, the patience. Every flight, every train ride, every road trip represents not just adventure, but freedom earned.

And there’s a subtle shift in perspective that comes with it. When you travel after retirement, you begin to see your life differently. You notice the expansiveness of your days, the power of choice, and the luxury of time. You may start imagining other ways to structure your weeks, months, and seasons around what brings you joy. The first big trip becomes a tangible proof that your next stage can be as vibrant and meaningful as you choose to make it. Our first big trip was the first of many, we have taken a big trip evey two years since we retired 20 years ago. The first trip was a catalyst for us, a milestone we charish.

Some people describe this milestone as the moment retirement truly feels real. It is one thing to save, plan, or imagine; it is another to step out the door and experience your freedom fully. You may feel a little giddy, a little awed, and more than a little grateful. It’s a reminder that life doesn’t end with work, it transforms, expands, and blossoms in ways you may never have imagined.

And perhaps the most beautiful part is that this milestone is not just about the destination, but about the journey itself. Each mile, each experience, each quiet moment of reflection reinforces a fundamental truth: this life, your life, is yours to shape, savor, and celebrate.

The day you leave on your first big trip after retirement is a quiet triumph. It is a statement of freedom, intention, and joy. It is a moment when you finally understand, fully and deeply, what it means to live on your own terms. And for many, it is one of the most joyful, emotional, and meaningful milestones of the entire retirement journey.

Make Every Day Your Own Adventure

One of the most exciting truths about retirement is that every day is an adventure of your own choosing. Without the constraints of work schedules, deadlines, or commuting, you have the freedom to shape your days, seek new experiences, and fill your life with stories worth sharing.

For me, this past week has been a series of small, self-directed adventures. I learned a new software package while creating posters for an event, a task that turned into a playful exploration of creativity. I downloaded skiing videos from my grandson, mastering technology I hadn’t touched in years. I experimented with new recipes when my wife wasn’t feeling her best. Each of these moments might seem ordinary on the surface, yet they became personal adventures because I approached them with curiosity and enthusiasm.

Even ordinary routines can be transformed into adventures with the right mindset. One afternoon, standing at the kitchen window, I spotted a pair of blue jays perched in our cedar tree. Rare visitors, their arrival sparked a quiet sense of wonder. I spent several minutes observing their behavior, noting their colors and interactions. That simple moment reminded me that adventure isn’t only about travel or high-energy activities; it can be found in small, attentive observations in your own backyard.

Retirement allows you to design your routine in a way that brings excitement, learning, and joy. You might choose to explore new hobbies, take a class, volunteer, or simply savor the natural world around you. Each day offers choices, and those choices determine the adventures you have. By intentionally approaching life with curiosity, you can turn even mundane activities into memorable experiences.

The beauty of this approach is that adventure doesn’t require planning or expense. It can be as simple as experimenting with a new recipe, learning a technological skill, or noticing something beautiful in your environment. What matters is the mindset: viewing each day as a canvas, ready for your own creative touch.

Retirement is not about slowing down, it’s about reclaiming your time and using it to enrich your life in ways that matter to you. Every morning you wake up, you have the opportunity to embark on a new adventure, even if it’s just within the walls of your home or the limits of your neighborhood.

So, embrace the freedom retirement brings. Plan the adventures you want, savor the ones that surprise you, and celebrate the small victories and discoveries along the way. Each day is yours to shape, and each evening offers the chance to dream about the adventures tomorrow might hold. In retirement, life is a story you get to write, one advent

Face the facts: retirement age is going up

Denmark just tied retirement age to life expectancy. Canada might do the same. If you're in your 40s or 50s and think 65 is guaranteed, stop dreaming. Policy-makers are watching the Danish model closely. If life expectancy increases, so will your working years—unless you take control now.

Own your timeline before government owns it for you

If you want the option to retire on your terms, you need a plan that doesn’t depend on government promises. Build a financial cushion aggressive enough to let you choose when to stop working. That means more than RRSPs and TFSAs. It means cutting dead weight, boosting income, delaying gratification, and investing wisely. Prioritize financial independence, not just “retirement.”

Start stress-testing your future

Don’t wait for Ottawa to change the rules. Assume they already have. Run your numbers based on retiring at 70. Then again at 65. Then again at 60. The goal isn’t to panic—it’s to prepare. Know what it takes to walk away early, or at least comfortably. Guessing isn't planning. You need clarity, not hope.

Prepare your mind as well as your money

Watching retirement drift further out of reach is mentally brutal. The cure? Reframe retirement. Stop thinking of it as a finish line. Build a life that doesn’t leave you desperate to escape. Shift careers if you're burnt out. Pick up side income doing something meaningful. Invest in your health like it’s part of your portfolio—because it is. A healthy 68-year-old with purpose has more freedom than a miserable 63-year-old counting days.

Stop waiting—act like it’s already happening

You don’t control public policy. You do control your daily choices. Build flexibility. Build savings. Build options. Governments may push the retirement age higher—but if you’ve already prepared, they won’t push you around.

Is retirement everything you thought it would be?

 Two surveys explain the challenges people face when approaching retirement, even with enough savings. In the first survey conducted in March, 54% of pre-retirees expected a peaceful transition into retirement.. However, upon reflection, only 32% of actual retirees reported that the transition had indeed been smooth.

Besides money, pre-retirees worry about social interactions, a sense of identity, and mental stimulation in retirement. Interestingly, the perspectives of actual retirees differed significantly. A significant 62% of retirees admitted missing social interactions, 31% felt a loss of identity, and 38% missed the mental stimulation they had in their working years.

Respondents in the planning phase of retirement were primarily preoccupied with financial considerations, particularly whether their savings would last. Retired individuals, especially those retired for over two years, focused more on health rather than finances.. They were less worried about the political and economic climate.

The early years of retirement are akin to a trial period, and people adjust to this new phase of life. The most content individuals in our survey were those who had been retired for more than two years. This suggests that retirement is indeed wonderful, but it requires some adjustment.

Those approaching retirement often harbour the misconception that everything will naturally fall into place, while those already experiencing retirement have a different perspective.

The second survey completed in April revealed that 42% of pre-retirees expected an increase in their social connections once they left the workforce. However, 84% of retirees reported a decline in their social networks, with 40% experiencing a reduction of 50% or more.

Over 50% of pre-retirees expected the transition period to be six months or fewer, but more than 55% of retirees experienced it for a year or longer.

The second study emphasizes the difficulties of lacking an identity, disrupted routines, and limited social connections.. In fact, a significant 76% of respondents described their retirement experience as challenging.

Convincing pre-retirees and recent retirees of the value of retirement coaching is a challenging task. Many people assume that retirement will be fantastic and that coaching is unnecessary. It’s important to have a plan for retirement to make it fulfilling.