I’ve always been full of energy and lived a wonderfully full life – but the other day, something unexpected happened. I took a short nap in the middle of the day… and I loved it. At first, I caught myself worrying: Was I ill? Was something wrong? Was I giving in to old age? But then I smiled. Because the truth is, I wasn’t giving in – I was tuning in.

I’ve come to realise that slowing down in retirement isn’t about ageing. It’s about choosing a new rhythm. It’s a conscious decision to step away from the relentless pace of careers, parenting, and packed calendars – to make space for something softer, and maybe even richer. More time to meet people. More hours with family and friends. More curiosity to learn new things, just for the joy of it.

For years, life moves fast – deadlines, duties, doing. But retirement offers us something rare: the chance to redefine success. Not as productivity, but as presence. Not as achievement, but as alignment.

Slowing down lets you listen more closely to what really lights you up. It gives you the freedom to fully enjoy a quiet morning coffee, a leisurely walk, or a heartfelt, unhurried conversation.

It’s not about doing less. It’s about doing what matters – more deeply, more meaningfully.

Slowing down isn’t a concession. It’s an act of wisdom. It’s saying: “I’m no longer measuring my life by speed. I’m measuring it by depth.”

To this end, I’ve taken up golf – a slower-paced compliment to my usual hiking and fitness pursuits, but no less demanding. It’s a new challenge, both physically and mentally, and I absolutely love the process of learning something new. Golf is also wonderfully social and offers a sense of community, as well as the satisfaction of knowing it’s a skill I can continue to develop and enjoy for years to come.

Because slowing down doesn’t mean stopping – it means choosing where to place your energy, and finding joy in the journey.