Jun 08 • 3 min read
The Retirement Fix | June 8th 2025
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Hi Reader I have one big favour to ask this week... If you're interested in getting your hands on a copy of my new book The Retirement You Didn't See Coming then I would encourage you to register on the waitlist. I will give you early access to the book before it goes on general sale as well as some freebies along the way! And because we see each other every week, I trust you to give me honest feedback and provide me with those all important reviews that will help spread the word! Click the link below to join the waitlist https://www.humansvsretirement.com/book FEATURED ARTICLE Retirement Is Just Adult PlaytimeWhen did life stop being about play? At some point between our last school disco and our first pension contribution, we swapped hide-and-seek for spreadsheets, imagination for inboxes, and play for productivity. Retirement, we’re told, is the reward at the end of all that hard work. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: many people arrive at retirement… and have no idea what to do with their freedom. Because somewhere along the line, we forgot how to play. We’ve been so well trained to be efficient, responsible, and serious that when someone suddenly gives us all the time in the world, we don’t instinctively build Lego castles or dress up like pirates anymore. Instead, we clean the garage... again. But here’s the thing: retirement isn’t a second career. It’s not an endless to-do list. It’s adult playtime, with better snacks and no homework. And learning how to play again might just be the most important (and uncomfortable) part of your retirement reinvention. So what is “play” for grown-ups?It’s whatever lights you up and doesn’t need a reason to exist. That thing you do just because it’s fun, not because it’s useful. It might be:
It doesn’t matter if you’re good at it. That’s the point. Play is where joy lives. And it’s where retirees rediscover who they are without a title, job, or obligation. The problem? Play feels frivolous.You might hear a voice whispering, “Shouldn’t I be doing something more meaningful with my time?” Here’s your permission slip: play is meaningful. In fact, neurologists, psychologists and even economists are now recognising that people who prioritise play, hobbies and unstructured fun time are happier, healthier and live longer (Brown, S. (2010). Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul. New York: Avery.). And let’s face it, retirement isn’t a productivity contest. It’s a chance to finally enjoy being a human being, not just a human doing. A quick exerciseThis week, ask yourself: What did I love doing when I was 8 years old? How could I recreate that feeling, just once, this week? And if that sounds ridiculous? Perfect. That means you’re on the right track. Your Retirement FixRetirement isn’t about being productive every day. It’s about building a life you don’t need to escape from. Play more. Judge less. Snack often. And remember: you don’t stop playing because you grow old… You grow old because you stop playing. RETIREMENT RESOURCE The Anti-Bucket List Worksheet This weeks resource is a worksheet I've put together to help you to construct your anti-bucket list. It will help recognise all the things you don't want in your retirement, equally if not more important that the things you do want.
PODCAST Why You Should Write a Book in Retirement SKETCH OF THE WEEK The Great Retirement Disconnect RETIREMENT ARTICLES What I've read this week
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