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About this project
Retirement is often viewed as a financial or practical transition, yet many people experience significant emotional and psychological changes as they move into this new stage of life. Funded by Leeds Community Foundation and Leeds City Council, Leeds Older People’s Forum has produced a workbook-based resource, designed to help individuals approaching or experiencing retirement reflect on identity, purpose, wellbeing, relationships and future aspirations.
Time Well Spent
Time Well Spent began as a series of workshops for men over 55 that offered a supportive space to reflect on change, build resilience, and think about the future alongside other men going through similar experiences.
It provided an opportunity to reflect and reset in a small, welcoming group and offered practical tools for managing change and stress.
Continuing the learning
Counsellor and Coach, Hillary Wadsworth, translated the learning from these sessions into a workbook that can be used both individually and in facilitated workshops.
The resource can be downloaded below, either by module or in full, alongside the Retirement and Life Transition Workbook, which is aimed at assisting facilitators of these sessions. The full Time Well Spent workbook and the facilitator workbook are also available at the bottom of the page in a print ready format.
Looking back to understand the man I have become.
- Why looking back helps us to move forward
- Significant moments that changed me
- Strengths I have built along the way
- What my story tells me about me
Module 2: Change, Loss and Life Transitions
Understanding why this stage of life can feel bigger than expected
- Why retirement can feel bigger than we expect
- What am I losing? What am I gaining?
- The hidden losses of change
- Where am I in this transition?
- Things I have not yet said about this change
Module 3: Being On My Own Side
Understanding the habits that help or hinder me internally
- Why we often treat ourselves more harshly than anyone else
- Understanding self-compassion
- How do I speak to myself?
- Speaking to myself more steadily
- Box breathing: A simple reset
- Resetting a difficult day
- How am I really doing?
Module 4: What Makes Life Feel Worthwhile
Building a sense of purpose, usefulness and connection
- Purpose does not retire when work does
- One helpful way to think about purpose
- Discovering where my purpose clues are
- What still brings energy?
- Ways I still want to contribute
- Connection, community and being needed
Module 5: Imagining My Next Chapter
Shaping the years ahead more deliberately
- The future does not shape itself
- An ordinary day I would like to be living
- How do I want my life to feel now?
- A postcard to my future self
- What is worth my time now?
Understanding the thoughts and habits that keep me circling
- The stories I keep telling myself
- Familiar beliefs that may be limiting me
- How true is this really?
- More useful thoughts to stand on
- Small risks I am willing to take
Module 7: Moving Forward With Intention
Turning insight into the shape of ordinary days
- When good intentions meet ordinary days
- Building enough structure to hold me
- Who or what helps me stay connected?
- What I am no longer willing to keep postponing
- My personal moving forward plan
