Transitions

Let’s confront it head-on; retirement is a major life transformation, like going off to university, getting a partner for the first time, or going back to living without children in your home. Retirement may take a little time to get used to; it took me eight years. Create a plan, but don't worry if the plan will not be as you imagined. Based on my life experience and my experience in talking to others here are some suggestions for a steady transformation and a glorious retirement:

·   Required duties kill the spirit notwithstanding age. Don’t agonize about what you believe you should be doing or what others think you should be doing when you retire.  This is about you. It’s your time to do what you want.

·  Generate a daily plan. It may sound like a fabulous scheme to throw away your alarm clock and avoid any new responsibilities. A sudden lack of structure is and can be unsettling for many of us.  I stopped getting up at 6:30 over the first year of my retirement and now I get up closer to 8:30 but that was after 13 years of retirement.  We all need a reason to get up in the morning, so I recommend that you plan to be up by a certain time and have some activities scheduled for specific days each week.

·  Rekindle old friendships. If you can try and develop new friends hopefully in different age groups. I love to read and since I retired I have read hundreds of new books, and I love to putter around my house, I find it comfortable. At the same time, I volunteer, go out with my friends on a weekly basis because I know these activities dare more beneficial to my mental health. It is not easy making new friends when you retire, but one of the easiest ways to make new friends is through new activities such as sports, seminars, cooking classes, travel, hiking clubs, poker night, book clubs, yoga, wine tasting, etc.

·  Get professional help. It took me eight or so years to get used to retirement because I retired without a plan. I was, however, very lucky because I had friends I could talk to about goals and what to do with retirement. Some people may need professional help with this if so, I recommend that you get the help before retirement not after.  The folks who sit down and discuss/plan their post-retirement goals are the ones who typically have a more satisfied, fulfilling retirement.  This can especially be beneficial for married couples and can/should be done before you retire to get on the same page about expectations and concerns. Sometimes people who have retired without a plan may experience some of the following signs and symptoms, If you do experience some of these on a daily basis or for more than two weeks, you may be suffering from depression:

·         Persistent sad, anxious, or “empty” mood

·         Feelings of hopelessness, or pessimism

·         Irritability

·         Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness

·         Loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies and           
           activities

·         Decreased energy or fatigue

·         Moving or talking more slowly

·         Feeling restless or having trouble sitting still

·         Difficulty concentrating, remembering, or making         decisions

·         Difficulty sleeping, early-morning awakening, or 
           oversleeping

·         Appetite and/or weight changes

·         Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts

·         Aches or pains, headaches, cramps, or digestive 
           problems without a clear physical cause and/or 
           that do not ease even with treatment.

Not everyone who is depressed experiences every symptom. Some people experience only a few symptoms while others may experience many. That is why it is important to not self diagnose and talk to your doctor.

Amazing Simple Home Remedies

Use with an abundance of caution.

1.          If you are choking on an ice cube, simply pour a cup of boiling water down your throat. PRESTO! The blockage will instantly remove itself.

2.          Avoid cutting yourself when slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold the vegetables while you chop.

3.          Avoid arguments about the toilet seat...Use the sink.

4.          For high blood pressure sufferers--Simply cut yourself and bleed a few minutes, thus reducing the pressure on your veins. REMEMBER T0 USE A TIMER.

5.          A mouse trap placed on top of your alarm clock will prevent you from rolling over and going back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.

6.          If you have a bad cough, take a large dose of laxatives. Then you will be afraid to cough at all.

7.          You only need 2 tools in life........WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and should, use WD-40....if it moves and shouldn't, use the tape.

8.          Remember- Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

9.          If you can't fix it with a hammer, you've got an electrical problem.

10.     Got a wart, use duct tape it is more effective in removing warts than getting treatment.

11.     Constipated try drinking dried Alvera leaves or just keeping yourself hydrated.

12.     Got obstructive sleep apnea, try playing the didgeridoo, it is a proven remedy for this problem.

AND A DAILY THOUGHT. some PEOPLE ARE LIKE Slinkys...NOT REALLY GOOD FOR ANYTHING, BUT THEY bring A SMILE TO YOUR FACE whenever PUSHED down the stairs. 

Source: http://www.jokesoftheday.net/joke-Home-Remedies/2014092440

Don't jump to conclusions

So I go through the drive-through to pick up my sandwich, start heading down the road and pull it out of the bag and I see this...I know I asked for a lot on my sandwich and took off a few things that I didn't like but this was so unnecessary! 

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So I turn around and head back up there to make a complaint with the manager, just to be told it says......
"BLT with cheese!"

The ageing workforce and mandatory retirement

The 'William Fry Employment Report 2019: Age in the Workplace' examined an ageing workforce and mandatory retirement in Ireland.

Their survey showed that the mindset amongst the Irish workforce is changing when it comes to career longevity and anticipated retirement ages. 61% of those surveyed believe that they will have to work beyond the age of 66. 68% of respondents believe there is no upper age limit for customer-facing jobs. Conversely, only 32% of those surveyed would actually like to work beyond the age of 66, while 61% of respondents believe that older workers are inhibited by technological change

It found 53 percent of women stated their job has a retirement age, but only 44 percent of men said this was the case.

Some 58percemt of those aged 19 to 34 believe it's difficult for younger employees to manage older colleagues.

The research also found recruitment practises are "bias" towards hiring younger people for jobs but many employers have developed age-diverse policies.

The report also looked at what best practice is for hiring and retaining older workers. It found recruitment and promotion processes are particularly prone to age bias, whether conscious or unconscious. To avoid this employer should:

• Ensure that recruitment material is age-neutral and non-discriminatory.
• Provide anti-bias training to internal recruiters and decision-makers.
• Aim for diversity amongst recruitment and decision-makers.
• Use objective assessment criteria when recruiting or promoting.
• Never base a decision to hire, not hire or promote on a candidate’s age (or any other discriminatory ground).
• Keep records of job interviews and promotion assessments.
• Specify the retirement age in operation where retirement age is required.
• Apply a set retirement age consistently.
• Implement a written policy on retirement age. 
• Communicate the retirement policy to employees.