Retiredom

How To Soul Seach To Discover Your Higher Self

November 17, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Finding your higher self starts with looking inward, not outward.

Feeling lost, stuck, or like something’s missing? That’s your soul nudging you to wake up and pay attention. Soul searching isn’t about sitting in a cave waiting for enlightenment—it’s about taking real, intentional steps to understand who you are and what truly matters. The answers aren’t out there; they’re inside you, waiting to be uncovered.

If you’re ready to connect with your higher self and gain clarity about your life’s direction, these nine powerful actions will help you get there.

12 ‘Innocent’ Comments About Aging That Are Insulting

November 17, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

They may sound harmless, but these common phrases reveal hidden biases about growing older.

You’d think by now, with all the discussions around aging and inclusivity, that people would be a little more mindful in how they talk about growing older. But somehow, the same cringeworthy phrases keep surfacing, wrapped in smiles and good intentions. These remarks might be tossed out as compliments or friendly observations, but they often land with a sting—especially when they highlight age as something to be apologized for or downplayed.

What makes it worse is that the people saying these things usually don’t even realize they’re being offensive. They think they’re being nice, maybe even flattering. But these so-called “innocent” comments actually reflect deeper societal biases that suggest aging is something to be pitied or fixed. If you’ve ever had to grit your teeth and smile through one of these exchanges, you’re not alone. Here are 12 everyday remarks that sound polite—but carry hidden jabs about aging.

Emotional Signs It’s Time For You To Retire

November 17, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Your heart often knows before your head does.

Retirement isn’t just about financial readiness—it’s deeply emotional. Many people overlook the internal signals that whisper it’s time to step away. The decision rarely arrives with a clear announcement but instead builds through small emotional shifts that become hard to ignore. Paying attention to these cues can help you make the transition with confidence rather than regret.

When your work no longer fuels you the way it once did, or when you feel increasingly pulled toward other parts of life, those feelings matter. Ignoring them can lead to burnout or missed opportunities to enjoy the freedom you’ve worked so hard to earn. Here are 13 emotional signs that might be telling you it’s finally time to retire.

Why Most People Hit a ‘Health Cliff’ at 75—and How to Avoid It

November 17, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Researchers say there’s a sharp drop in health after 75 that most people never see coming.

Indoor gathering, older man in plaid smiling, supportive hands on shoulders, warm lighting, documentary style, with people. — ©Image license via iStock

For many adults, the years between 70 and 75 feel steady—then everything changes. Mobility declines faster, energy wanes, and chronic conditions suddenly worsen. Doctors call this rapid downturn the “health cliff,” a point where the body’s resilience begins to collapse after decades of subtle wear.

But new research shows that this drop isn’t inevitable. With the right habits, it’s possible to stay strong and clear-minded well beyond 75.

Americans Are Fleeing California—Researchers Say These 3 Factors Explain Why

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

A mass migration out of California is reshaping America’s population map.

For decades, the Golden State symbolized prosperity and opportunity. Now, record numbers of residents are packing up and leaving — an exodus that’s transforming cities, housing markets, and entire regions of the country. Researchers say it’s not just about money or politics but a complex mix of affordability, safety, and quality-of-life concerns driving the shift.

California’s identity as a dream destination is changing, and the reasons go deeper than most people realize.

60+ New Airbnb Features Just Dropped—Including a Way to Connect With Other Travelers

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Airbnb’s latest update turns travel into a social experience, not just a stay.

Living room entryway, blue suitcase foreground, couple mid-step, morning natural light, editorial travel photo, people. — ©Image license via iStock

Airbnb just rolled out one of its biggest updates ever, adding more than 60 new features designed to make trips easier, smarter, and more connected. The changes range from smarter search tools to flexible payments, but the standout feature is social — a new way for travelers to meet, message, and build connections around shared adventures.

It’s part of Airbnb’s push to evolve beyond booking into a global travel community that connects people before, during, and long after the trip ends.

You’d Be Surprised How Many People Disappear in U.S. Parks

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Thousands disappear in America’s parks each year, and the explanations rarely add up.

Mountain overlook, lone hiker foreground, wide vista framing, clear daylight, editorial travel photo, one person present. — ©Image license via iStock

Every year, people vanish without a trace in national parks, forests, and wilderness areas across the U.S. Some are hikers who stray off the trail, others vanish under circumstances that defy logic. Despite modern tracking technology and widespread media coverage, many cases remain unsolved for decades.

The disappearances raise unsettling questions about how vast, wild, and unpredictable America’s wilderness really is — and what might be lurking within it.

Study Finds Link to Ultraprocessed Foods and Colorectal Cancer in Women Under 50

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

New research suggests everyday convenience foods may pose unexpected risks for younger women.

Hospital room, elderly woman with doctor, side view composition, natural light day, documentary style, two people present. — ©Image license via iStock

A growing body of evidence shows that ultraprocessed foods could play a larger role in colorectal cancer development than previously understood. While past studies focused mainly on men, new findings reveal a troubling pattern among women under 50, particularly those relying heavily on ready-to-heat and ready-to-eat meals.

The connection isn’t just about calories or fat — it’s about how these foods interact with the gut, metabolism, and long-term disease risk.

Final Words of These Famous People Will Give You Chills

November 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

What they said right before dying will stay with you long after you finish reading.

Some words stay with you forever—especially when they’re the very last someone ever spoke. There’s something deeply human about wanting to know what people say at the edge of life. Those final moments pull back the curtain, even if just for a second, revealing raw truth, regret, wisdom, or peace. It’s not always profound, and it’s not always poetic—but it’s always real. That’s what makes last words so unforgettable. They have the power to move us, haunt us, or even make us rethink everything we thought we knew about someone.

Scientists Find a Frightening Link Between Loss of Smell and Early Death

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Scientists say losing your sense of smell could quietly predict how long you’ll live.

Indoor setting, couple holding red wine glasses, close-up composition, soft natural light, editorial travel photo, with people. — Mature couple smelling the wine at home

New research has revealed a startling connection between a fading sense of smell and an increased risk of early death. Multiple long-term studies show that olfactory loss can predict mortality more accurately than some chronic diseases, including cancer and heart failure.

The findings suggest that your nose may be more than a sensory organ—it might be an early warning system for overall health and longevity.

Gen Z Is Counting on an Inheritance—But Their Boomer Parents Have Other Plans

November 14, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Boomers’ estate plans increasingly focus on personal needs over leaving inheritances to Gen Z.

Wooden pier over ocean, older couple arm in arm, bright sunlight behind, editorial travel photo, people. — ©Image license via iStock

Many members of Gen Z anticipate inheriting wealth from their Baby Boomer parents as a financial safety net. However, economic challenges, longer retirements, and shifting priorities often lead Boomers to reconsider their estate plans. Rather than leaving substantial inheritances, Boomers may prioritize their own healthcare, lifestyle, and financial security, meaning Gen Z’s expectations may not align with their parents’ realities. Understanding these dynamics helps families navigate financial conversations with clarity.

The Safest Places to Be in the U.S. If Everything Falls Apart

November 14, 2025 by Ron Clendenin

Explore U.S. locations that combine natural safety with community strength for survival situations.

Small town, illuminated church steeples, distant forested hills, cloudy twilight, editorial travel photo, no people. — ©Image license via iStock

When disaster strikes, choosing the right place to be can make all the difference. The safest locations in the U.S. for surviving catastrophic events balance natural protection, resource availability, and strong community ties. Factors like proximity to fresh water, low population density, mild climates, and robust emergency infrastructure play key roles. Understanding these elements, based on expert guidance from FEMA, CDC, and USGS, helps individuals prepare thoughtfully for uncertain times.

Baby Boomers Are Holding On Tighter Than Ever—Here’s What It Means for Everyone Else

November 13, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Boomers aren’t just staying in power—they’re redefining what aging looks like in America.

Baby Boomers, now mostly in their 60s and 70s, are holding on to wealth, property, and influence longer than any generation before them. They’re not retiring at the expected pace, not selling their homes, and not stepping aside in leadership roles. This slow transition is reshaping the economy, housing market, and workplace for younger generations.

The ripple effects are everywhere, and they reveal just how much control one generation still has over America’s future.

Why Boomers and Gen Z See the World So Differently

November 13, 2025 by Barrie Davenport

Understanding key cultural and technological influences shaping boomer and gen z perspectives

Living room, young woman in tears, comforting older man nearby, soft indoor lighting, documentary style, two people. — ©Image license via iStock

Baby Boomers and Generation Z often view the world through different lenses shaped by distinct experiences and values. While Boomers tend to prioritize stability, tradition, and face-to-face communication, Gen Z embraces adaptability, digital interaction, and social change. Recognizing these contrasts involves appreciating each generation’s unique historical context, economic realities, and communication styles, which influence their social values and overall worldview in meaningful ways.