'Glow-up' your retirement with a simple mindset switch

Friendship group Leeds Oddfellows is inspiring local retirees to give their retirement a 'glow-up' by switching from a 'To Do' to a 'To Be' mindset.

- By Eleanor Tamlyn Contributor

The Leeds-based Society, made up of mostly older and retired members, says it's easy to get stuck in a rut once initial 'things to do' lists are ticked off. But retirees shouldn't miss out on living a more fulfilling and authentic life, the friendship group adds, explaining how its regular events held in and around Meanwood, Kirkstall and Morley are great ways to get a retirement that glows.

This message is backed by 'Doctor of Happiness' Dr Andy Cope, who has spent two decades studying the science of positive psychology and human flourishing. He explained: "Retirement is the perfect opportunity to have a psychological spring clean, and to shift our mindset from 'when' to 'now'.

"Too often, we spend our lives chasing goals, which means we can accidentally kick our happiness into the long grass.

"With retirement, you can fall into the trap of only creating 'To Do' lists and they are often quite mundane tasks, and they tend to run out once you've ticked off that holiday, or you've sorted out the house or garden. But if you make the switch to asking yourself what you want 'To Be' today, it's incredibly powerful and rewarding."

Dr Cope added: "Everyone's 'To Be' list is different.