Retiredom

People Who Stay Motivated and Engaged in Retirement Never Do These 14 Things

December 12, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

They know avoiding these 14 common pitfalls is the secret to staying happy and active in retirement

If you want to stay inspired and energized in retirement, there are certain habits you’ve got to steer clear of. It’s surprisingly easy to slip into patterns that slowly drain your energy and joy—habits that seem harmless at first but eventually leave you feeling aimless or bored. Retirement should be one of the richest and most fulfilling chapters of your life, not a slow fade into monotony.

Those who live their best retired lives understand this truth deeply. They consciously avoid choices that sap their motivation, and instead, fill their days with intention, curiosity, and connection. Here’s a closer look at 14 habits happy and active retirees avoid—and why steering clear of them makes all the difference.

House Cleaning in the 1960s Was a Full-Time Job. Here’s Why You Have It Easy.

December 12, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Discover the surprising innovations that have turned backbreaking chores into quick and simple tasks.

If you’ve ever groaned at the thought of tackling housework, just be glad you’re not living in the 1960s. Back then, cleaning wasn’t just an annoyance—it was a day-long ordeal that tested your patience, strength, and sometimes even your sanity. There were no ergonomic tools, no smart appliances, and certainly no shortcuts. Every chore came with its own little mountain to climb, and those who managed to keep a sparkling home were practically superheroes in disguise.

Ears Bleeding? The 10 Most Grating American Accents

December 12, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

These American Accents Might Make You Cringe

Ever heard someone open their mouth and instantly felt your ears tense up? Whether it’s the jarring pitch, unexpected rhythm, or just plain volume, certain American accents manage to provoke a visceral reaction. These accents, though beloved by the people who speak them, often leave outsiders feeling somewhere between amused and irritated. It’s not always about sounding wrong—it’s about sounding different in a way that disrupts the norm for others.

11 Subtle Signs of a High-Quality Man That Most Women Miss

December 12, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Men like this are rare, but if you know the signs, you’ll recognize a high-quality guy when you see one.

Some men talk a big game, but only a rare few truly walk the walk. In a world where kindness, integrity, and decency can feel like a lost art, spotting a real stand-up guy isn’t always easy. You might assume they’re a thing of the past—something your grandparents reminisced about—but they’re still out there. They just tend to move quietly, without the need for attention or applause.

13 School Lessons Boomers Learned That Turned Out to Be Totally Wrong

December 12, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

You won’t believe how many of these ‘facts’ were completely made up.

They taught us a lot in school, but not all of it holds up under the harsh light of reality. Turns out, some of what we memorized, recited, and even aced tests on was about as accurate as a weather forecast for three weeks out. And what’s worse, many of these so-called “truths” were passed down from one generation to the next with almost religious fervor—never questioned, always repeated. The result? A whole lot of us believed things that simply weren’t true.

11 Blind Spots That Are Silently Sabotaging Your Happiness

December 12, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Ignoring these blindspots is a huge mistake and could cost you relationships and peace of mind.

If you think you’ve got life all figured out, think again. These hidden blindspots could be the silent culprits stealing your happiness without you even realizing it. They don’t announce themselves with fanfare—instead, they sneak into your routines and your mindset, gradually chipping away at your contentment. Often, the more self-assured you are, the harder it is to notice these blindspots for what they are: quiet barriers that hold you back from deeper fulfillment and more authentic relationships.

11 Signs You May Be Carrying Too Many Burdens in Your Life

December 12, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Learn to spot the subtle ways emotional overload may be quietly stealing your peace of mind.

Emotional and mental overload often builds quietly, showing up as tiredness, irritability, or constant worry before we realize it’s taken hold. When your daily life feels like a juggling act without pause, it may be time to take a closer look at what you’re carrying. Recognizing these signs can help you restore balance, protect your well-being, and make space for healthier boundaries and habits that support long-term emotional health.

11 Parts of Gen Z’s Rebellion Against Age-Based Authority

December 12, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Gen Z isn’t handing out respect just because you’re older.

Boomers and Gen X grew up with the idea that elders automatically deserved respect, no questions asked. Gen Z? They’re not buying it. Respect isn’t about age—it’s about actions. They’ve seen too many older generations refuse to acknowledge change, dismiss younger voices, and cling to outdated ideas while expecting automatic deference. That’s not how respect works anymore. If you want it, you have to earn it.

And if you think they’re just being rebellious? You might be missing the point.

These 13 Valuable Vinyl Albums Are Collecting Dust in Your Parents’ Basement

December 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

You could be sitting on thousands of dollars without even knowing it.

You might want to call your parents before they toss out that box of old vinyls sitting in the basement. What looks like a pile of dusty, outdated albums could actually be worth a jaw-dropping amount of money. A surprising number of records from decades past have become goldmines for collectors, and most people don’t even realize it. The right edition, label, or printing can mean the difference between a $5 thrift store find and a five-figure treasure.

12 Modern Conveniences Boomers Never Needed and Now Can’t Live Without

December 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

You won’t believe how much you rely on these everyday essentials that didn’t even exist for Boomers.

You might feel like you’re a pretty independent person, managing your day-to-day life without too much trouble. But once you take a closer look at all the little conveniences woven into your daily routine, you may realize just how dependent you’ve become on things that didn’t even exist a few decades ago. It’s kind of wild when you think about it—entire parts of your lifestyle revolve around technology and services that Boomers never even imagined needing.

12 Raw Emotions Everyone Experiences but Rarely Talks About

December 11, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Many people carry these emotional experiences quietly, unsure if others feel the same way too.

Raw emotions often wear discreet masks, showing up in small moments that feel oddly unsettling. These feelings—like envy wrapped in affection or sadness after reading a novel—can be difficult to name, let alone discuss. They don’t fit neatly into everyday conversations, but that doesn’t make them rare. Recognizing them for what they are helps build emotional awareness and fosters empathy, reminding us that vulnerability does not signal weakness but shared humanity.

9 Reasons You May Prefer to Keep Your Relationship Circle Small

December 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Choosing quality over quantity in relationships can lead to stronger trust and emotional clarity.

Keeping your relationship circle small isn’t about shutting people out. It’s about inviting the right people in. When you prioritize a few close friendships, you make space for more meaningful interactions, steadier support, and emotional ease. Deep connections thrive without the noise of constant updates or surface-level chats. Understanding the benefits of a smaller social circle can help you build lasting bonds that feel less like social upkeep and more like home.

10 Things To Do Differently When You Can’t Rely on Support From Family

December 11, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Adjusting to life without family support starts with building strength through new habits and connections.

When family support is absent, everyday life can feel uniquely unmoored. But even without that familiar safety net, it’s possible to create stability, community, and emotional resilience. Building new routines, setting clear boundaries, and seeking connection beyond inherited roles all lay the groundwork for thriving independently. With deliberate care and consistent practice, you can cultivate a life rooted in self-trust, chosen community, and personal growth—not inherited obligation.

15 Wild Things Every Teen Did in the 1970s (And Loved Every Minute)

December 11, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Teen life in the ‘70s was a non-stop adventure – from wild hangouts to daring trends, these unforgettable pastimes defined a generation.

If you were lucky enough to be a teenager in the 1970s, your memories are likely drenched in sunshine, cassette tape hiss, and the distant echo of disco. Life back then was a swirling mix of innocent rebellion and carefree connection—before everyone had a screen glued to their face, we had real places to gather, dance, laugh, and be wildly, unapologetically ourselves. You didn’t need a curated Instagram profile to feel seen; you just needed a cool pair of jeans and a few bucks for snacks.

The freedom was real. You could hop on your bike and disappear for hours, knowing you’d eventually make it home for dinner. You had your own style, your own hangouts, and your own secret codes for everything from flirtation to friendship. From the rink to the record store, every moment was a chance to express yourself, and these unforgettable pastimes became the soundtrack to growing up in an era that never stopped grooving.