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Illustration image by ChatGPT of busy person on left at a desk with head in hands; calm-looking desk on right showing calendar on May and a sticky note saying time to retire

Almost a Year Since I Decided to Retire

Reflections
Retiring
Retirement

What I feared, and how things have turned out so far

May 18, 2025
Sharon Machlis

List of 13 five-minute lightning talks with mine at the top

I’m Speaking at a Professional Conference! (for 5 minutes)

Profession Post-Retirement
Retirement

I’m both excited and a little bit wistful.

May 4, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Drawing of a brain. Image by ChatGPT

Is Retirement Bad for Your Brain? NY Times Weigh In

Retirement
Vibrant Aging

A NYT article skews rather more negative than data seem to warrant

Apr 21, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Chart from 2010 to 2025 shows VIX over 50 1 times in 2015, 2018, and 2024; 21 times in 2020 from pandemic shutdowns, and 0 all other years until 3 in 20205 from tariffs

My First Stock Market Downturn as a Retiree

News
Reflections
Retirement

I knew the market would drop at some point after I stopped working full time. But I was kind of hoping there wouldn’t be a major market panic in my first year of retirement. (And I certainly didn’t expect our government would cause one on purpose.)

Apr 13, 2025
Sharon Machlis
van Gogh painting of a view from his asylum window. His interpretation of a farmer plowing a field.

A Couple of Contrasting Retirement Weeks

Reflections
Retirement

If I was worried that every day would be pretty much the same . . . not yet!

Apr 6, 2025
Sharon Machlis
View out a window with evergreen trees and other trees without leaves, corner of a computer screen in front

I’ve been freelancing again in retirement

Profession Post-Retirement
Retirement

Weather was cold and I had a couple of ideas, so . . .

Mar 23, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Bird in silhouette flying at sunset, person walking on beach below

I’m glad I didn’t follow my original plan to retire later

Reflections
Retiring
Retirement

If anything, I wish I’d done it sooner

Mar 9, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Steaming teacup, flower and book on a bed tray. Photo by Carli Jeen on Unsplash

The High Cost (in Hours) of Self Maintenance

Reflections
Retirement
Retiring

Taking care of oneself always involves effort, but it can take even more time as we age. Retirement helps!

Mar 2, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Buddha statue at the Museum of Fine Arts (snapshot by Sharon Machlis)

‘Type A’ Retiree Gets a Taste of Buddhist Meditation

Retirement

I had time to attend a four-session workshop . . . so I did.

Feb 16, 2025
Sharon Machlis
 

Half a year of retirement!

Reflections
Retirement

Some thoughts looking back on my first six months as a retiree.

Feb 2, 2025
Sharon Machlis
The number 4 in black against a white brick wall

Are there really ‘4 phases of retirement’?

Retirement
Retiring

So posits a TED talk viewed more than 3 million times. But I’m not so sure that’s true for ‘most’ people.

Jan 26, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Opinion Guest Essay Chris Hayes: I Want Your Attention. I Need Your Attention. Here Is How I Mastered My Own.

Is it Scary to Be Alone With Our Own Thoughts?

Reflections

‘The unoccupied mind can be a feral beast,’ writes Chris Hayes. While not about retirement, his article raises some interesting points for people either considering leaving the workforce or newly retired.

Jan 19, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Snow-covered trail with snow-covered trees on both sides and a blue sky

Hating winter less as a retiree

Reflections
Retirement

So far this has been one of my biggest surprises in retirement

Jan 12, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Image of an open book with flowers behind. Image generated by Google FX generative AI

2025: More self care and gratitude (I hope)

Reflections
Retirement

As a retiree, I have the luxury to think differently about my annual rite of New Year’s resolutions

Jan 4, 2025
Sharon Machlis
Painting of a white flower with green leaves in background, by Georgia O'Keeffe

Missing work-related holiday things

Reflections
Retirement

No one was more surprised than me to find that I actually missed getting-ready-for-the-holidays comradery at work – and I don’t even celebrate Christmas.

Dec 29, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Image of my tagline saying I was a longtime writer and editor at Computerworld and am still passionate about R and generative AI, along with links to my social media and retirement blog

My First Freelance Articles Are Live!

Profession Post-Retirement
Reflections
Retirement

I’m a ‘contributing’ freelance writer now, with a bio befitting a retiree. But I can’t check traffic to my stories.

Dec 22, 2024
Sharon Machlis
Cup of steaming tea in a glass teacup, blurred background. Image created by Adobe Photoshop generative AI

Back to my regularly scheduled retirement (mostly)

Profession Post-Retirement
Reflections
Retirement

After working a nearly full-time schedule for a week, I returned to my retirement routine.

Dec 15, 2024
Sharon Machlis
Hands at a computer keyboard

Sooo I’m doing some freelance writing (just a bit!) in retirement

Profession Post-Retirement
Reflections
Retirement

That didn’t take long 🤣

Dec 8, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Photo of two hands holding a thermometer and tissue. Photo by Polina Tankilevitch

There’s One Advantage to Getting Sick on a Holiday When Retired

Reflections
Retirement

At least you’re not blowing scarce days off from work.

Dec 1, 2024
Sharon Machlis
Horn of plenty Thanksgiving table decoration. Image generated by Photoshop AI.

Thanksgiving Week is Different Post-Retirement

Reflections
Retirement

It’s somehow less of a ‘landmark’ break in the year. But still great!

Nov 24, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Path surrounded on both sides by trees in autumn

Settling Into a Retirement Routine

Reflections
Retirement

Some thoughts three months after leaving work behind

Nov 17, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Photo of a partially grey sky and the ocean

Work As a Distraction

Reflections
Retirement

When I had high stress in my personal life, my job sometimes served as a helpful diversion. It’s time for other coping mechanisms.

Nov 10, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Image of a trail in autumn, slightly Impressionist look

Welcoming Autumn as a Retiree

Reflections
Retirement

It’s been my first change of seasons in retirement, and I’ve been able to pay more attention.

Nov 3, 2024
Sharon Machlis

Photo of 4 Adirondack chairs facing a small pond and a building

My First Post-Retirement Professional Deadline (and Event)

Profession Post-Retirement
Retirement

An opportunity came earlier than I expected, and I wasn’t sure I was ready.

Oct 27, 2024
Sharon Machlis
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