Welcome to Ageing Responsibly, the blog that helps you transition from your big job to a life of meaning and fulfilment.
Here, we ask tough questions, share real stories, and challenge you to create a new identity—one that embraces growth, giving, and learning.
Every Saturday morning, this blog will land in your inbox to inspire and guide your journey. If you find the contents not for you, simply email STOP, and I’ll remove you from the list—no tears.
Let’s dive in.
The Big Questions
You’ll hear me ask tough questions, and here’s one you might be asking me:
Why start writing a blog about life after the big job when you’re already 14 years down that road?
The answer: I’ve amassed more stories, wisdom, and lessons than I ever imagined back in 2010 when I left my career behind. My hope is that you’ll relate to these stories—not because this blog is about me, but because it’s about you.
It’s about how these stories connect to your life and how they might inspire the decisions you make and the actions you take.
Age brings wisdom and experience, and with that comes an untapped resource of potential—potential to grow, change, and make life even better for you and your community.
Now, as I approach 70, I feel more at peace with myself and my purpose than ever before. But I’m not done. I have so much more to learn, give, and grow.
That wasn’t always the case. Those early years of retirement were a challenge and I struggled. I found myself asking the same question over and over:
What am I going to do with those 16 hours a day?
The Psychological Shift of Retirement
Retirement isn’t just about filling time—it’s a psychological shift. Who are you when you’re no longer the businessperson, the teacher, the doctor, or whatever title defined you for decades?
When I sold my business, the phone stopped ringing. My so-called business friends vanished. I was no longer “Tony, the golf retailer.”
I felt lost. I had to rebuild my identity
Finding My Way: From Golf to Decking to Purpose
Golf had been my life—30 years of running a golf business and playing the sport since I was 15. But I didn’t want retirement to mean playing golf with other retired blokes three times per week. That was not me.
So, I bought a road bike and started cycling. It kept me fit and I could discover new places around where I lived.
I even tackled some odd jobs around the house, despite my lack of DIY skills. Building 70 sq m of decking at the back of my house from watching DIY YouTube videos repeatably. It’s still standing today—so I’m well chuffed. We vanish it every year and it looks great. OK, one admission, I got a mate to do all the fancy cutting and laying of the hardwood decking.
But cycling and decking weren’t enough. I wanted purpose, not just activities.
The Hard Truth About Time
Here’s something people rarely tell you: retirement offers freedom, but that freedom can become a trap if you’re not careful. You can easily get too comfortable which leads to complacency and lack of motivation.
Without purpose, it’s easy to drift—filling your days with activities that don’t truly fulfil you. I knew I needed something more.
World Travel? Its comes with a hefty price tag, and what happens when you come home? You’re still left with the same 16 hours to fill every day.
Retirement isn’t about killing time; it has to be more.
A Painful Wake-Up Call
Twelve months ago, a retired friend of mine took his life. While retirement wasn’t the sole cause, it was a significant contributor.
This tragedy reminded me of how important it is to transition into retirement thoughtfully. His daughter has since started a company called The Third Quarter to help people navigate this shift. I hope this blog can contribute to the same mission—helping you and others age responsibly.
Ageing Is a Gift
Let’s face it: ageing is not for the faint-hearted. It’s a challenge for the mind, body, and spirit. But it’s also a privilege—a gift that many people don’t get to enjoy.
To age responsibly, you need to:
- Develop a growth mindset
- Stay physically active
- Enjoy nature, garden, or walk (All three ideally)
- Eat wholesome, home-cooked meals. Nothing fancy.
- Manage stress effectively
- Sleep well and prioritise recovery
- Strengthen your muscles as if you life depends on it (because it does)
- Build a few tribes of people who you connect with.
- Find your place of calm and peace.
I’ll cover all these subjects and tons more over the coming weeks and months.
The Journey Begins
In the coming weeks, I’ll share stories from my life and the lives of everyday people. You’ll hear about:
- Living with my remarkable 91-year-old mother-in-law
- How I found my purpose using the philosophy of “start first, fail fast”
- How to find your tribes
- How to be the ONE who gets things going.
- How to get really strong in just 10 minutes a day
- How to future-proof your body for life’s challenges
We’ll explore the dangers of complacency, comfort, and convenience. I’ll even touch on spirituality—not in a religious sense, but as a practice of being present and mindful.
Closing Thoughts
As I walked around a lake in 2010, reflecting on my life, I realised something:
If I was no longer a businessman, then who was I?
That question set me on a path of discovery—one that I’m still walking today.
Next week, I’ll share how I used the “start first, fail fast” approach to uncover my purpose.
For now, I leave you with this: What will you do with your 16 hours a day?
Your stories and questions matter!
Share your thoughts in the comments below or continue the conversation on Ageing Responsibly Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/tony.taylor.9237
Let’s build a community where we support and inspire each other on this journey of discovery.
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