March 1st, 2026
Royce Shook
If you’re approaching retirement, you’ve likely heard whispers about the “New Retirement” or the “Four Pillars.” This isn’t just financial jargon; it’s a fundamental shift in how we view this vibrant stage of life. So, what makes today’s retirement “new”? First, longevity has changed the game. With advances in healthcare and lifestyle, retirements are lasting […]
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February 28th, 2026
Royce Shook
There’s something quietly satisfying about the last day of February. It’s not flashy like New Year’s Eve, and it doesn’t come with fireworks or countdown clocks, but it carries a special kind of relief, like finishing a long chapter and gently turning the page. February is the shortest month, yet somehow it can feel like […]
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February 27th, 2026
Royce Shook
Ageism doesn’t usually begin with cruelty. It begins with assumptions. When younger people believe that seniors are unhappy, wealthy, confused, resistant, or irrelevant, those beliefs quietly shape decisions, about hiring, health care, housing, transportation, technology, and community design. Language changes. Patience shortens. Voices are dismissed. These myths create an environment where ageism can flourish without […]
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February 26th, 2026
Royce Shook
The Top 10 Myths About Seniors in B.C. (Myths 6–10) Less obvious myths that quietly reinforce ageism Myth 6: Seniors are a burden on the health care system Fact: Seniors are also major contributors to care, prevention, and community support. Older adults provide unpaid caregiving, volunteer in hospitals and communities, and actively manage chronic conditions […]
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February 25th, 2026
Royce Shook
The Senior Advocate for the province of BC recently released the top 5 myths that his office found many younger people believe about seniors in BC I did some research and came up with a few more myths. In the next three posts, I will discuss the myths. Post One: The Top 10 Myths About […]
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February 24th, 2026
Royce Shook
For a long time, our culture sent an unequivocal message about wanting more for yourself, and it wasn’t a kind one. Back in the 1980s, there was a popular movie that championed the idea that “greed was good.” Over time, that idea fell out of favour, and rightly so. But something else happened along the […]
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February 23rd, 2026
Royce Shook
If you feel stuck, you’re not failing. You’re pausing. That distinction matters, especially after retirement or during the years leading up to it. There’s a lot of quiet pressure to “figure it out,” to replace one full life with another just as full, just as productive, just as impressive. When that doesn’t happen quickly, people […]
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February 22nd, 2026
Royce Shook
Purpose is often misunderstood. We tend to think of it as something large and dramatic, a calling, a mission statement, a bold declaration of what comes next. For many people in midlife and early retirement, that expectation alone can feel paralyzing. If purpose has to be big, public, or life-defining, what happens when all you […]
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February 21st, 2026
Royce Shook
We are good at talking about change. We are far less comfortable talking about transition. Change is what happens on the outside. Retirement dates arrive. Jobs end. Routines shift. Calendars suddenly open up. Change is visible and often measurable. Transition, on the other hand, happens on the inside. It’s the emotional and psychological process of […]
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February 20th, 2026
Royce Shook
Letting go of old identities is easy to talk about and very hard to do. We live in a world that encourages us to introduce ourselves by what we do. “I’m a teacher.” “I’m a nurse.” “I’m an accountant.” Over time, those labels stop being descriptions and start becoming definitions. They tell us who we […]
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