In 9 Habits of Happy Retirees, you walk readers through the process of shifting their mindsets from work to enjoying post-career life. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I wrote 9 Habits of Happy Retirees because I saw a growing gap between how well people plan financially for retirement and how little support there is for the emotional, identity, and lifestyle transition that follows. Many people retire having done “everything right,” yet still feel unsettled, unsure, or even disappointed.

This book was important to me because retirement isn’t an ending; it’s a major life transition that deserves as much thought and care as any other. I wanted to create a practical, reassuring guide that helps people slow down, reset expectations, and design a retirement that feels meaningful, flexible, and personally fulfilling, rather than something they’re meant to “figure out” once work stops.

 Can you share with us a little about your research and writing process?

The book grew out of a combination of research, observation, and lived experience. I spent a lot of time reviewing studies on well-being, purpose, aging, and happiness, alongside insights from psychology, habit formation, and life-transition research.

Equally important was listening to conversations with people approaching retirement, those already living it, and professionals working in adjacent fields. Patterns began to emerge around identity loss, time structure, social connection, and the pressure to make retirement “perfect.”

The writing process itself was intentionally accessible. I wanted the book to feel like a calm, supportive conversation, something readers could return to, reflect on, and apply in small, realistic ways rather than feeling overwhelmed by big, irreversible decisions.

 What is one common misconception you find that many people have regarding retirement?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that retirement will automatically feel joyful and freeing once work ends. In reality, removing structure, identity, and routine can be surprisingly disorienting.

Many people assume that happiness will arrive when the calendar clears, but fulfillment in retirement, just like at any other stage of life, comes from intention, connection, curiosity, and a sense of purpose. Retirement isn’t something you “arrive at”; it’s something you gradually shape.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from 9 Habits of Happy Retirees?

I hope readers come away feeling reassured, knowing that there is no single “right way” to retire and that uncertainty is a normal part of the transition.

More than anything, I want readers to feel empowered to approach retirement with curiosity rather than pressure. Small habits, gentle experimentation, and self-compassion go a long way. You don’t need to have it all figured out; you need to stay open to what this next chapter could become.

 
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