What really happens after retirement?
If you’re approaching retirement—or already there—and wondering what now?, you’re not alone. The world is full of financial advice for retirement, but there’s far less about how to actually live a fulfilling life once the 9-to-5 ends.
Beyond Retirement is the podcast that explores what comes after the career chapter. Whether your retirement was planned or unexpected, joyful or jarring, you’ll find real stories, honest conversations, and practical inspiration here.
Join host Jacquie Doucette as she shares her own journey and speaks with people who’ve reimagined life after work—some fully retired, some shifting gears, and all discovering new meaning in this next stage. From finding purpose to building community, embracing play, and navigating change, we’ll explore how to create a life that truly fits.
Because retirement isn’t the end—it’s a new beginning.
Let’s figure out what comes next, together.
What really happens when you close the laptop for the last time and step into retirement? In this candid episode, I sit down with my friend Lynda Camire, who recently retired from a long-standing career in finance with the Canadian government. She may not have had a retirement party, but she does have a lot of honest insights about what happens when the structure of the 9-to-5 disappears.
Lynda shares how she planned her retirement, and how that plan didn’t include just how bored she’d be in the first few days. From wandering into her home office out of habit to watching the clock like she was still on the job, Lynda’s story is a refreshing reminder that even a well-planned retirement can feel disorienting at first.
We talk about:
- The emotional surprise of Day One in retirement
- What happens when there’s no daily agenda
- Struggles with identity when you no longer say “I work for…”
- Learning how to stop watching the clock
- Her passion for cooking and possibly turning it into something more
- Travel dreams that are still on the horizon
- Why “if you’re unsure about retirement, you’re probably not ready”
Whether you’re counting down the days to your own retirement or already in it and wondering “what now?”, this episode offers a real, grounded perspective on navigating the unknown with a little humour, honesty, and Thai food.
Links & Resources:
Lynda’s episode is part of our ongoing season focusing on Mental Health, Enjoyment, and Personal Growth in retirement.
Know someone struggling with the early days of retirement? Share this episode with them.
Listen to more episodes at:
https://beyondretirement.ca/podcast
https://zencastr.com/Beyond-Retirement
Or wherever you usually listen to podcasts!
