Karen

How old do you FEEL?

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How old do you FEEL?

We’ve all heard the saying, “You’re as old as you feel” but it turns out there’s more truth to it than you might think.

Imagine for a moment that you had no birth certificate, no official record of your age – just the way you FEEL. 

How old would you say you are?

Most of us have a number in mind that doesn’t match our chronological age. Maybe you feel ten years younger. Or maybe life has been a bit of a challenge, and you feel older than the candles on your last birthday cake. Either way, that ‘felt age’ – or what scientists call subjective age – matters more than you might think.

The power of our subjective age

Researchers have been studying this for decades, and the results are pretty compelling. People who feel younger than their actual age tend to be healthier, happier and even live longer. On the flip side, feeling older than you are can increase the risk of depression, illness, and even early death. 

One particular study* found that most people feel about eight years younger than their actual age. But the striking discovery was that those who felt older had an 18-25% higher risk of dying sooner than those who felt younger—a staggering statistic. 

* Yannick Stephan at the University of Montpellier

What shapes how old we feel?

So, what makes someone feel younger or older than their years? Turns out, a few key factors play a big role:

  • Personality – People who feel younger tend to be lifelong learners and naturally curious. It’s no surprise that people who stay mentally and socially engaged often feel younger than their years.
  • Activity Level – Movement matters. Whether it’s learning a new skill, travelling, or just getting outside for a walk, staying active helps reinforce a youthful mindset.
  • Mindset & Self-Perception – If you see ageing as a slow decline, guess what? You’ll probably feel older. But if you view it as a new chapter full of possibility, you’re more likely to stay vibrant and engaged.

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How this affects your retirement

If you feel younger than your age, you’re more likely to embrace new opportunities, stay connected, and have a stronger sense of purpose. But if you feel older, you might assume the best years are behind you—and that can lead to a more passive, disengaged retirement.

The way you think about ageing shapes whether retirement feels like a time of growth and excitement or just the slow passing of time. 

The good news? You have more control over this than you might realise.

 

How to feel younger (No fountain of youth required!)

You don’t need anti-aging creams or a time machine to feel younger – try these science-backed ways instead:
1. Stay Curious – Try new things, challenge yourself, keep learning.
2. Move Your Body – Even small changes, like walking more or stretching, make a difference.
3. Ditch the ‘I’m too old for that’ mindset – The more you reject those stereotypes, the younger you’ll feel.
4. Surround Yourself with Positive Energy – Spend time with people who inspire you and make you laugh.
5. Focus on What’s Ahead – Look forward to things. Having goals and plans helps keep you engaged and excited about life.

So… how old do YOU feel?

If your answer is younger than your real age, great! Keep doing what you’re doing. If it’s older, take a moment to think about why. Is it anxiety or overwhelm? Social isolation? Lack of purpose? A limiting belief about ageing? Now ask yourself – what small, intentional shifts could help you feel more vibrant and engaged?

You can’t change the date on your birth certificate, but you CAN change how you experience ageing. Because as the research shows, you really are as old as you feel.

 

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Bringing Some New Year Energy into Your Next Chapter

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Bringing Some New Year Energy into Your Next Chapter

I’m not big on the whole ‘New Year, New You’ thing’ but I do love the reflective, optimistic vibe that accompanies the start of a brand new year.

I relish the opportunity to hit the pause button and create some space to envision the adventures that lie ahead… taking stock of where I’ve been before stepping into what’s next.

Well, it occurred to me while doing my ‘personal inventory’ that the experience of moving into a new year has many parallels with the move into retirement and here are just a few I’d like to share with you.

  • Transitions:
    Both New Year and retirement are transitions that invite introspection, renewal, and a fresh perspective on what lies ahead – a chance to envision a different future.
  • Reflection:
    Preparing for retirement is kind of like those quiet moments at the end of each year when you sit back and generally mull things over… to look at how far you’ve come, count your blessings, celebrate the good stuff, and think about where you go from here. 
  • Fresh Starts:
    The New Year is all about optimism, renewal, and new beginnings. Similarly, retirement marks the start of an exciting new chapter—a chance to shake things up and make bold, dynamic life choices. It’s the perfect time to let go of what no longer serves you, whether that’s outdated routines or other people’s expectations. Retirement, like the New Year, is about honouring the journey that’s brought you here while looking ahead with excitement for what’s to come.
  • A Catalyst for Change:
    A New Year often inspires resolutions for self-improvement and well-being. Similarly, retirement offers us the same opportunity but on a bigger scale! It’s a chance to reinvent yourself and pursue passions you’ve had to put on hold. It’s where you get to make intentional new choices that allow you to step into this new chapter with clarity, confidence, and enthusiasm.
  • Setting Clear Intentions:

    We’ve all made New Year’s resolutions along the lines of “I’m going to get fitter/ healthier / learn a new skill.” They sound plausible enough, but it’s the people who say “I’m going to walk in the park every Monday and Wednesday” who are more likely to actually do it!  The same goes for retirement. It’s easy to dream big with phrases like “I want to be happier” or “I want to feel better,” but without getting specific, these wishes tend to float away like balloons in the wind. What does “happier” actually look like for you? Maybe it’s spending Tuesday mornings teaching art at the local community center, or finally applying for that Open University course. The magic happens when you swap those fuzzy dreams for crystal-clear pictures of what you want your retirement to look like. 

  • It’s an Emotional time:
    Both New Year and retirement can trigger a complex mix of bitter-sweet emotions… anticipation and excitement coupled with nostalgia for what’s gone and apprehension about moving into the uncharted waters of the future. Acknowledging these contrasting feelings is key to unlocking the transformative potential of what lies ahead.

A New Year serves as an annual reminder that transitions bring chances for personal growth and renewal. 

Few transitions exemplify this as profoundly as retirement – a vibrant new chapter brimming with possibilities and opportunities for self-discovery, exploration, and reinvention.

So here’s to fresh starts, whether it’s the start of a new year… or the start of retirement!

May they both be opportunities to thrive.

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Your Three-Word Retirement Strategy

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Your Three-Word Retirement Strategy

A few years back, I came across a poster that said, “It’s simple until you make it complicated.” … and these words have stuck with me ever since!

As someone who can overcomplicate things in the blink of an eye, it really struck a chord because I know from bitter experience that complexity inevitably leads to confusion, procrastination, and frustration –  NOT a good place to be at the best of times and definitely not a good place from which to make important decisions!

I use a simple mantra to combat my tendency to overcomplicate things: Keep It Super Simple. It’s still a work in progress, but I’m getting there! 
 
I’ve come to truly appreciate the value of keeping things simple, and I’d love to share one of my favourite tools for harnessing it—a method I now use with clients as they plan for retirement.
 

It all comes down to choosing just three words. That’s right, only three!

The story behind 'three words'

I first heard about the “3 Words” concept many years ago from author Chris Brogan who highlighted their benefits as an alternative to New Year’s Resolutions. Unlike resolutions that tend to fizzle out by February, he selected three words to act as a gentle guide and focus for the year ahead.

People in their thousands adopted the idea because it’s quick, effective and incredibly simple. 

When you think about it, moving into retirement can feel a lot like stepping into a new year. Both offer us a blank slate, a sense of renewal and a chance to reshape the future. Both are exciting and full of promise… and both can also feel overwhelming and uncertain.

That’s where those three words come in handy.

Why three words?

Instead of feeling lost or overwhelmed by endless choices, these three words bring you clarity and focus, helping you zero in on what you really want in your next chapter.

They serve as a compass, guiding you toward what truly matters and steering you back on track when life starts to feel too complicated.

For example, my current three words—flexibility, choice, and purpose—have guided me through some major decisions this year. After my hip operation, I knew I needed to take time off, focus on recovery, work on my fitness, and take a holiday. But I struggled with the decision to step away from my coaching work.

However, running the decision through my three-word filter brought everything into focus.

After all, what’s the point of having ‘flexibility’ and ‘choice’ if I don’t use them? And when it comes to ‘purpose,’ staying fit is key to fulfilling it.

So, I took 3 months off and returned feeling refreshed and re-energized!

It’s always fascinating to see the three words people choose. Here are a few examples from my clients::

  • Family. Connections. Health.
  • Learning. Exploration. Fun.
  • Peace. Simplicity. Realignment.
  • Mind. Body. Spirit.
  • Creativity. Curiosity. Courage.
  • Ambition. Flourish. Focus.
  • Purpose. Growth. Evolution.

Isn’t it interesting how three words can paint such a clear picture of what’s most important to each person?

Ready to find your 3 words?

If you’re thinking about your retirement and how you want it to look and feel, consider trying the three word strategy.

Here’s how you can start:

Do a Brain Dump
Ask yourself:

How do I want to feel in this new chapter?
What do I want to bring more of into my life?
What do I want to let go of?
What values or qualities will help shape this next stage?

Take some time to jot down any words that come to mind – just let the ideas flow uncensored. 

Refine the List
After you’ve written down a bunch of words, take a look at them and see if any patterns emerge. Slowly narrow them down until you’ve got three words that truly resonate with you. These words will have a significant role to play in creating your retirement so it’s worth taking your time.

Reflect and Expand on Each Word
Once you’ve got your three, take a moment to think about why you chose each one.

What do they represent for you?
How will they help guide your decisions and actions in this new phase of life?

Take my word, ‘flexibility’ for example. This is the expanded version which reminds me WHY I chose this word.

Flexibility is an essential element in my retirement, allowing me to respond to new opportunities and challenges as they arise. It gives me the freedom to adjust my schedule and priorities, ensuring that I can focus on what truly matters—whether that’s my work, well-being, new experiences, or spending time with those I care about. It helps me stay balanced and aligned with my values as I navigate this next chapter.

As you can see, one word represents A LOT.

Simple and easy are NOT the same thing

Leonardo da Vinci famously said, “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” and I couldn’t agree more. However, embracing simplicity is often more challenging than it might seem! And this strategy is about much more than identifying three words; it’s about digging deep to find what truly matters to you and what you want from your retirement.

And of course, identifying your three words is just the beginning. You need to keep them top of mind and regularly use them as a filter for your decisions and actions. 

So to those of you stepping into a new chapter, I invite you to consider what your 3 Words words might be. May they guide you through the complexities of retirement toward a future filled with purpose and joy.

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