If you’re new here, maybe from a recent talk, welcome. I’m glad you came. This is a small, free community for people working through the part of retirement nobody plans for: the empty Tuesday, the friends who were mostly work friends, the strange feeling of having everything you planned for and still feeling a little lost. I’ll be honest: this group went quiet for a while this fall. I’ve been out giving talks, and I let the weekly posts slide. So consider this a fresh start. Most Mondays I’ll post one question. You can answer in a sentence, or just read. Both are fine. To begin, one small thing: reply below and tell us which part of a working day you miss most. Mine is having built-in friendships. Glad you’re here, Matt

Good morning. I missed the last two of these. Which is a fitting place to start, because the thing I say most often is that when something slips, you don't start over, you start smaller. So here I am, starting smaller. This week: what's something you used to do that you haven't done in a while? Not something you think you should do. Something you actually liked, that quietly stopped. A few words is a complete answer. And if nothing comes to mind, that's a real answer too, and a more common one than people admit. I'll go first. I used to be more active (ride a bike, shoot hoops, play tennis). I need to find some substitutes and start gain. Matt

Who faded, and Who stayed? Good morning. Nobody warns you about the friendships in retirement. Some 'work' ones fade quietly once the shared hallway is gone. There's no falling out, the building just disappeared and took the friendship with it. A few others may get deeper than they ever were. This week: who's one person you've stayed close to since you retired... or one you thought you would, and didn't? Either half counts. A name (make it up if you want) and a few words is a complete answer. If the honest answer is that your list got shorter than you expected, say that. It's more common than anyone admits. Not retired yet? Answer it forward. Who do you think will still be there? I'll go first. Pam. We used to have lunch 3-4 times a week and connect on work and bigger life issues/ideas. I miss those days!" Lte me know in the comments how it worked or will work for you. Best, Matt

Came across this today - worth sharing: https://www.theretirementmanifesto.com/the-best-retirement-advice-ever/

Good Monday. Every Monday I ask one small question here. No homework, no wrong answers, and a one-line reply is a complete answer. This week: what's one thing on your calendar that you're actually looking forward to? Not something you have to do. Not an appointment or an errand. One thing you'd be a little disappointed to miss. And if the honest answer is nothing, say nothing. That's a real answer, it's more common than people admit, and noticing it is worth more than pretending otherwise. I'll go first: I am meeting good friends for dinner on. Looking forward to catching up with them. Let us know what's on your mind! Matt