Accepting Change Without Losing Your Identity, Talking With a Loved One About Memory Loss, and Finding Your Safe Withdrawal Rate

You're receiving this because you signed up on our website. Want to unsubscribe? Just reply to this email with the words “no thanks.”

First-time reader? Join {{active_subscriber_count}} other seniors for free.

Have you reviewed our book yet? Please do so here.

Free Downsizing Support
Thinking about moving, downsizing, or decluttering? Get help at no cost to you.
Get Free Downsizing Help

Retirement Circles (Peer Support Groups)
Looking for connection and purpose in retirement? Join small, facilitated peer groups that meet twice monthly online.
Apply to Join a Retirement Circle

Write Your Obituary in Advance
Make things easier on your family by having your obituary thoughtfully written now, so your life is recounted exactly as you wish.
Obituary Writing Services—Pay What You Think Is Fair

Long-Term Care Insurance
Thinking about long-term care insurance?
Get Free Expert Guidance

Genealogy & Family History
Curious about your family tree? Get help with small projects or extensive research.
Genealogy Services—Pay What You Think Is Fair

Leave Your Words for Future Generations
Want to leave your children and grandchildren a letter they’ll treasure forever—in your own words?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written—Pay What You Think Is Fair

Have You Written Something?
Learn about professional editing, publication options, etc.
Get a Free Publishing Consult

Senior Living (55+, Assisted, Memory)
Looking for assisted living options near you? We can help.
Get Local Options for Free

Change often feels threatening because it can seem like it asks us to become someone else. In reality, most change alters how life looks, not who you are. Accepting change without losing identity means learning how to carry what’s essential forward, even as circumstances around you shift.

Start by identifying what about you has remained consistent across your life. This might be being dependable, curious, thoughtful, practical, or creative. These traits likely showed up in different roles — at work, in family life, in friendships — even as settings changed. When a role ends or changes, the trait doesn’t disappear; it simply needs a new outlet.

Identity is often tied to roles: caregiver, professional, organizer, provider, host. When those roles change, the skills underneath them can still be used. Someone who managed a family household well might now coordinate a small weekly gathering of friends. A former supervisor might mentor informally or help others think through decisions. The role shifts; the capability is constant.

Tastes and limits change over time. Enjoying quieter mornings, shorter visits, or simpler routines doesn’t erase who you were — it reflects who you are now. Accepting these shifts without self-criticism protects your identity by keeping it honest rather than frozen in the past.

During periods of change, choose one thing that stays the same: a daily walk, a favorite chair, a weekly phone call, or a long-held hobby used in a gentler way. Familiar anchors provide continuity when other parts of life feel unsettled.

How you talk about your life matters. Instead of framing change as loss — “I don’t do that anymore” — try framing it as evolution — “That chapter shaped me, and this one uses me differently.” Identity stays intact when you see your life as a series of connected chapters rather than replacements.

Identity isn’t a fixed snapshot. It’s a throughline. Change doesn’t erase it — it tests how well you recognize what truly belongs to you.

“The Bent Garden Trowel”
From the life overview of Elaine R., 86, Asheville, North Carolina. Shared with permission.

The trowel isn’t pretty, with its slightly twisted metal blade and wooden handle that’s worn smooth where my thumb presses without thinking. I bent it years ago when I was digging up a stubborn root, and I never bothered to replace it.

I’ve owned better tools—ones with bright handles and clean edges that promised efficiency. But this one was already in my hand that day, and afterward, it felt wrong to put it aside. It had done the work with me, even if it hadn’t come through unmarked.

Most mornings in spring, I carry it out to the garden and use it for everything, even when it’s not quite right for the job: planting bulbs, turning soil, and making space where something new might fit. I know exactly how much pressure it can take before it complains.

Sometimes, I notice neighbors working with matching sets: tools lined up like they’re posing for a photograph. My trowel looks a little tired by comparison—and so do I, if we’re being honest.

But we both still function. We both still make room for growth. And at the end of the day, that feels like enough.

***

Do you want to record your beliefs and hopes for future generations?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written—Pay What You Think Is Fair

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birds
This beautifully organized site from Cornell University offers detailed guides to hundreds of bird species, along with audio recordings of their calls and practical tips for identifying them. Even a few minutes of browsing can deepen everyday walks and help turn casual noticing into genuine observation.

The World Digital Library
Developed by the Library of Congress and international partners, the World Digital Library provides access to manuscripts, maps, photographs, and rare books from institutions around the globe. Each item includes clear descriptions that place it in cultural and historical context, making exploration both approachable and rewarding.

Book of the Day: An Ohioan's Odyssey
In An Ohioan’s Odyssey, John J. Kulewicz reflects on a life shaped by law, leadership, and public service. Writing with wit and candor, he traces his journey from humble immigrant roots to a distinguished legal career and decades of civic involvement. Set against moments like Watergate and later-life public service, the memoir explores ambition, risk, and the enduring value of commitment to the common good. The book is both a professional life story and a meditation on purpose, resilience, and the idea that it’s never too late to pursue meaningful work.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

Do you want to record your beliefs and hopes for future generations?
Have Your Legacy Letter Written—Pay What You Think Is Fair

If you’ve ever tried to read a recipe, check the weather, or look up a news story—only to be bombarded by flashing ads and pop-ups—you’re not alone. The good news is that a simple tool called an ad blocker can make the internet much calmer and easier to use. Ad blockers automatically stop most pop-ups, autoplay videos, and banner ads from appearing on websites.

The simplest way to reduce pop-ups is to install a trusted browser extension. These are small tools that attach to your web browser and filter out ads before they appear.

One of the most popular options is uBlock Origin, which is free and very effective. If you use Google Chrome, install it from the Chrome Web Store. If you use Firefox, install it here. Once installed, it starts working automatically. You don’t need to configure anything. Most people notice that websites load faster and are much easier to read.

Another well-known option is AdBlock Plus.

Both tools are safe, free, and widely used.

If you’re comfortable exploring a few extra settings, you can make your ad blocker work even better.

Inside uBlock Origin, you can enable additional filter lists that block more tracking and advertising systems. Instructions are available here.

You can also add browser privacy tools that reduce tracking while you browse. A great companion extension is Privacy Badger, developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

For people who want the strongest protection across all devices in the home, a network-wide blocker such as Pi-hole can remove ads before they even reach your computer or phone.

Ad blockers don’t just reduce pop-ups—they often make websites load faster and help protect your privacy. Once you install one, browsing the internet usually becomes noticeably quieter and far less frustrating.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Far East Cruise - departing June 9, from $249

Unmissable American gem: With its moss-draped oak trees, scenic beaches, historic lighthouse, and relaxed coastal charm, St. Simons Island, Georgia is a beloved Golden Isles getaway where seniors can enjoy easygoing walks, golf, boutique shopping, and peaceful ocean views.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Classic card game for four.

GIBRED

Help a life story get told, earn thousands: Refer someone to MemoirGhostwriting.com and earn 12% of what they spend. Find out more here.

Interested in advertising with Seniors Magazine? Learn more here.

Disclaimer: Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through them, Seniors Magazine may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The content of the newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as financial, legal, or health advice. We may also share polling responses with advertisers to help keep this newsletter free.