It’s that time again! For the last five years I have considered it a privilege to scour the internet to find what I consider to be the best blogs and websites I can find. Like SMART Living 365, these are personal blogs and not commercially driven websites to make money. I tend to focus on the topics of positive aging and retirement but I decided to include all my favorites this year. Why not? And while my list certainly doesn’t contain all the sites available on these topics, I think that they are noteworthy and offer thoughtful, creative and provocative insights.
While some are the same from past years, as always, I have added some new ones and trimmed a few old ones that are no longer active. Thank you to each of the authors and creators who put in the time and effort to provide such helpful ideas and information while sharing their lives and experiences with all of us throughout the year. They cost nothing except the time to read. Taken together I believe that those of us who ingest the wisdom found in these sites will surely benefit with a healthier, happier, contented and SMART life as the years go by. *See the end of this post for some of the other criteria I use to select these blogs.
Blogs & Websites for A Positive Retirement
(new) Retirement Coffee Shop is written by Mitch Davis who retired in 2019 from the federal government and is now in “pursuit of the best life possible.”
(new) The Retired Alchemist is a site where Marian traverses her current phase of life writing about things that will encourage and inspire us as we transform our career life into a retirement lifestyle that enriches us so that we can look back and say “what a ride.”
My Satisfying Retirement. Bob Lowry regularly shares content that raises questions and provides answers about life, retirement and aging while he does his best to “make the most of today and what is still to come.”
Retirement Reflections Donna retired in 2015. To document this transition, Retirement Reflections was born. Over six years later, Donna retains her focus on new discoveries, healthy living and gratitude.
Retirementally Challenged A blog written by Janis who shares her passion for photography, travel, relationships, gratitude and whatever else pops into her head (even, sometimes, issues surrounding retirement and aging). She also includes a number of her short stories which I personally like.
Sightings Over Sixty Where Boomer Tom Sightings offers his insights as he looks at health, finance, retirement, grown-up children and how time flies.
Picture Retirement A blog written by Suzanne and Malcolm that is reflective of the shared interests and hobbies that enrich their days and provide structure and fulfillment to their constantly evolving retirement journey.
Retirement Confidential is a written by Donna, writer and speaker, who is a two-time cancer survivor in hot pursuit of a long, healthy and happy life.
A Retirement Blog by Caree Risover Caree is from the U.K. and writes about retirement—from planning to implementation to the eventual enjoyment.
Retirement Transition Follow Pat’s journey as she transitions through retirement while envisioning and implementing life’s next stage.
Retires Great A blog/website where Debbie and Shannon focus on helping everyone achieve a retirement (and life) filled with passion and purpose.
Cresting the Hill Follow Leanne’s (early) retirement journey. This is a great place to find inspiration, toss out Midlife crisis and replace it with Midlife contentment and connection.
Positive Aging No Matter What Your Age
(new) Spo-Reflections A blog where Michael Charles writes his reflections on life, his work and his experiences—with a touch of humor along the way.
(new) A Boomer Girl’s Guide—Embracing my 70s This blog is written by Juhli who, when she couldn’t find a guide for moving through this phase of life, decided to create her own. Here she contemplates getting older while staying healthy happy and have the life that fits her right now.
(new) The Misadventures of Widowhood—Jean is a widow and senior citizen who is seeking to live out her days with a sense of whimsy as she searches for inner peace and friendships.
(new) Second Wind Leisure Perspectives Terri Webster Schrandt’s blog about living a leisure lifestyle from a woman who is a retired recreation and parks practitioner.
Sixty and Me Produced to empower and motivate women to find their own voice and value in a transitional time of life that offers so much new opportunity.
Boomer Highway According to Beth life is like a buzzing highway: adult children, grandchildren, aging parents–your own age. How can we slow it down and keep it safe on that highway?
Galen Pearl is a site written by Galen who is a Spiritual director, guide, teacher and student, martial artist, writer, explorer of the Dao De Jing and other wisdom teachings, embracer of life’s mystery —who along the way points out that the “no way” is often the way.
The Widow Badass Blog Written by Deb, this blog is as Forest Gump says, Life is like a bowl of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”
So What? Now What? Christie is a self-professed goal setting, list making, self-improvement addict. Her blog is her way of (publicly) sorting out the answer to the question ‘What Now?” Her mission is: live, laugh, learn and love.
Muddling Through Middle Age Author Anne Coleman writes about the changes and issues found in middle age along with learning to recognize and appreciate the positive aspects of aging.
Deb’s World A blog about midlife, travel, adventure – and all things in between. Enthusiastic, energetic and always seeing the positive, Deb’s goal with her blog is to make readers smile, inspire each other and connect.
Other Favorite And SMART Blogs I Follow
Intentional Travelers where Michelle and Jedd Chang inspire and equipping people to pursue life-changing experiences around the world.
Roaming About Liesbet and Mark have been perpetual nomads since 2003 – and are currently through South America in a truck camper with their rescue dog, Maya. As lifetime adventurers, they are self-employed, maintain a tight budget and inspire others to live a life less ordinary.
Everyday Gyaan–by Corinne Rodriguez whose site is dedicated to keeping life simple, authentic and holistic all the way from India.
Carol A. Cassara Writer – is written by Carol Cassara who shares her amazing insights and inspiration on travel, spirituality, dogs and more.
We all have many choices about what we do with our time. But if we are going to be reading or staring at any “screen” then let’s be reading things that are about aging well, happy and peacefully at every stage of our lives. I think all these websites fit those needs. So, please accept this list as my year-end gift to all my SMART Living 365 readers for 2022. I can’t wait to see who shows up in 2023!
* When selecting I tend to focus on sites that:
- Share thoughts that I personally believe engage, inspire, or encourage us as we move through life—aging and living well.
- Puts the perspective on the benefits, latest research, good news, and opportunities surrounding aging, retirement and healthy at any age.
- Offer a distinctive perspective on living, saving and/or traveling as we age.
- Aren’t overly technical or financial—and instead shines the light on the mental, physical, emotional and sometimes spiritual evolution of aging.
- Avoids commercialism along with annoying ads or lots of self-promotion.
- Regularly and consistently adds content (If a blog hasn’t posted anything in a month or more—it won’t be on this list.)
- Avoid sites that focus on fashion, food or politics!
- Are written by women I generally like and appreciate (and yes some are personal friends!)
Thank you so much for this helpful information! My husband is retiring next month and I am so glad I decided to read your blog today. Mary
You’re welcome! Glad you found it helpful!
Thank you very much, Kathy for adding me to such esteemed company as exists on your list of all those great retirement bloggers. I am honoured!
Deb
Hi Deb! I just saw my spam catcher threw you in the trash! Sorry about that. :-)) I think the “badass” word triggers them…hahaha…you’d think in this day and age that would be a normal right? And happy to include you! You deserve to be among esteemed bloggers!! ~Kathy
Like others, I will add my thanks for the time you took to investigate and compile such a great list of blogs, some of which are familiar and others are new to me. I look forward to visiting all the blogs, a few at a time, as a way of starting my new year. I was especially happy to be reminded of Everyday Gyaan, a wonderful blog I used to follow but which had fallen off my radar.
And of course, I am humbly grateful to be included on your list.
Most of all, I look forward to another year of following your thoughts and adventures. Wishing you the best for a happy new year.
Hi Galen! I have enjoyed your blog very much during 2022 (like all of them really)! And even though I don’t always take the time to comment I am almost always touched with your “voice” and thoughts on your topics. Looking forward to seeing where 2023 takes you! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy, these posts are always so good to read, mainly because I find more bloggers to follow! It was lovely to see my blog mentioned too so many thanks for including me 🙂 It must be a big effort to collate so I just want you to know it’s much appreciated. Your blog is always interesting and thought provoking and although I don’t always comment, I do enjoy reading your words 🙂 I’ll proudly display your badge on my blog! Happy New Year and cheers to another great year of blogging 🙂
Hi Debbie! You’re welcome. You are welcome because I know exactly how much time, energy and commitment it takes to keep a blog going and consistently share with all of us. I’m also happy you enjoy the “badge” and are willing to share it on your page. Connecting with each other is such an important part of what makes blogging so rewarding. Have a wonderful 2023! ~ Kathy
This looks like a great list!!! I’ll have to check some of them out.
Hi Kirstin! I hope you enjoy them. It’s always a challenge for me to make the choices I do because there are other awesome blogs that share great information (like yours) but if I don’t qualify my list it would be MUCH longer. Hopefully we all find blogs that fit us in the right way. Happy New Year! ~Kathy
Thanks for the great list. And even more thanks for including my blog! I have already gotten a few visits and comments from your readers who visited because of you list. Keep up the great blogging!
Hi Mitch! You’re welcome! I am always happy to find another blogger who shares ideas that we can all use and/or ponder upon. I’m glad people are checking out your blog. The blogging community tends to great about connecting and sharing with each other. Happy 2023! ~Kathy
Kathy, once again you have shared some excellent blogs and some new ones that I can’t wait to become acquainted with. I am honored to be among your choices. Thanks for the work you put into this and for getting the word out about quality blogs written by women you consider to be friends. That is the magic of this place – we find connections we would never have encountered otherwise.
Looking forward to more of SmartLiving365 in the new year. Blessings…
Hi Suzanne! You’re welcome. I love sharing what I’ve found with others and the many women (and yes there are some men too!) that I appreciate and believe deserve to be known and recognized. And I so agree and love hoe you say that there is indeed magic that allows us to “find connections we would never have encountered otherwise. Happy New Year! ~Kathy
Hi Kathy,
What an impressive list!! And thank you so much for including our website!! We are so grateful and humbled someone as gfited and prominent as you recognizing our efforts and hard work. It is so truly appreciated!!
As usual, and others have mentioned, you’ve listed a bunch I haven’t had the opportunity to check out yet. Now, I have more to find and explore in the New Year – thank you for the gift!! What a great way to start it off – new adventures, readings, finds and potential friendships!!
Appreciate all you do and Happy New Year to you and Thom!! All the best in 2023 and happy blogging!
Hi Debbie! Happy to include your blog on my list and I strongly encourage you to check out the others because there are some great people who (Like you and Shannon) share themselves and their ideas with all of us. We have to stick together right. And may 2023 be a great year for you both. ~Kathy
Hi Kathy – thanks so much for including me in your list again this year – being recognized by someone of your calibre always makes my heart happy. I’m also excited to see several blogs I’ve never read and will be clicking through to a few over the next week. Here’s to another great year of blogging in 2023.
Hi Leanne! You’re welcome. And I’m glad you appreciate my “list” but I think you and any of you who consistently put out good content (for many years now!) deserve to be applauded and recognized. Yes to another great year of blogging in 2023! ~Kathy
I always enjoy your year-end list because it introduces me to a few new quality blogs. And, many thanks for including Retirementally Challenged! I will add your badge to my blog as soon as I can figure out (again) how to do it. (Kidding… sort of.)
Best wishes to you and Thom for a new year full of fun and adventure!
Hi Janis! Well as you know there are always new blogs popping up in the blogosphere so sometimes it is a bit challenging to keep up. I’m no final authority but I do like to point out the ones I think deserve to be seen. And it is always a bit sad to me to see ones that have dropped completely or taken a VERY long break. I know that sometimes an author needs to do that and hopefully they’ll be back, but I am happy to say that my list is fairly active and again deserve that recognition. Happy New Year to you and Paul and I hope our paths cross again this year! ~Kathy
A wonderful list, Kathy! As always. 🙂 Thank you for including Roaming About. I love your badge as well.
Happy New Year, Kathy and Thom, and may 2023 bring everything your hearts and minds desire.
Hi Liesbet! Happy New Year to you and Mark and Maya. May your 2023 be a wonderful path on your adventure. ~Kathy
Hi, Kathy – Thank you for the time and thought that you put into preparing this list each year. It is greatly appreciated. I was delighted to see my blog included and have already included the badge on my website sidebar! 😀
Wishing you and Thom a wonderful year ahead. I look forward to keeping in touch.
Hi Donna! You’re welcome. Every year I ask myself if I want to do it again and I just keep coming back to the idea that those of us who’ve stuck with it for sometime deserve to be recognized and “honored” for the work you are doing. With so many “commercial” blogs out there these days it makes it more challenging to get found in the crowd. Just my little way of helping! Happy New Year and happy blogging in 2023! ~Kathy
Thank you again for including my blog and also the recommendations for some blogs I hadn’t stumbled on but which I am sure I shall now enjoy exploring. Best wishes for 2023 and I look forward to more thought provoking instalments on your own blog.
Hi Caree! Thanks. And thanks for your continued commitment to keeping your blog going. I think we tend to underestimate those of us who have been around awhile. Keep it up and happy blogging in 2023! ~Kathy
Thanks for the suggestions, Kathy. You’re the best, and an inspiration to get back to blogging. Happy New Year!
Hi Kate. You’re welcome! Will you get back to blogging more in 2023? And hopefully you’ll be out visiting again? Would enjoy a visit! ~Kathy
Kathy – I am honored (and stunned) that you would include my blog in your list. Good thing I was sitting down when I opened this post! Thank you for taking the time to put the list together. I look forward to checking into some of the blogs that I am not familiar with. Happy New Year to you!
Hi Marian! I was happy to find your blog myself and as with all the others I like to help others get their blog out there and more known to others. Bloggers can be incredibly supportive and make awesome friends. It’s definitely one of the perks of being a blogger. Happy Blogging in 2023! ~Kathy
Huge thank you for including my blog on your esteemed list, Kathy! Happy New Year of
Hi Terri You are welcome and thank YOU for your blog. And congratulations for keeping it going through all the years! ~Kathy
Thank you for the great list. There are a couple here that are new to me and that I will be checking out. Happy New Year … and happy blogging in 2023!
Hi Tom! Thank you for a great blog! I so appreciate those of us who have stuck with it in one way or another through the years. And YES to happy blogging in 2023! ~Kathy