Inspiring Others to Practice Retirement

South Carolina Voyager Highlights Our Story

Hi Rachel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Telling stories; It’s what I’ve always done. I began as a reporter, calling in assignments on deadline from the road. Though technology has changed a lot since then, sharing stories is what I still love to do. After years of working as a journalist for newspapers and magazines, I shifted to public relations. Crafting brand stories for start-ups, and international corporations, wherever the opportunities were as we moved from New England to the Southwest, to the Midwest, and back to the Northeast. For many years, I wrote a column for a local newspaper called “Get off the Couch.” That’s likely when the idea first germinated for Practicing Retirement – a blog, website, Instagram, and Facebook that explores the next chapter in many of our lives. I want people to understand it’s not about age. It’s not about finances. It’s about making the most of every single day and trying new things, and taking time to enjoy. I went back to downhill skiing last year after a 10-year hiatus. Yeah, it was a little terrifying. But you need to push out of your comfort zone to discover all you can. In the past year, my husband (a new retiree) and I have taken up paddleboarding, traveled to Italy – a country we had never been to before camped in the back of his pick-up truck in Canada, and even spent an entire month in Hilton Head, where we plan to return as much as possible to walk the miles-long beaches, ride bikes on the sand and savor the outdoors. We had only been able to take a short vacation once we were Practicing Retirement. That’s another benefit of Practicing Retirement, exploring new places, getting to know the local spots, and being able to do things off-season and midweek when there are fewer crowds.

Note: I started a blog at Practicing Retirement to highlight others’ journeys. During the pandemic, I put this feature on hold. I plan to start up the blogs again in 2023. If anyone has a unique story they think would be great for featuring on our site, please contact me via social or email.

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The inspiration for Practicing Retirement came from the challenge that most people spend their lives only financially planning for Retirement. Certainly, it’s important to prepare financially, but what’s getting lost is that we all should consider this next chapter a time to focus on ourselves. When you eliminate or cut down on work, you are left with more unscheduled time. What do you imagine yourself doing? Practicing Retirement as soon as possible allows you to try new things or figure out what you want to explore. At Practicing Retirement, my goal is to inspire others to do that soul-searching, consider how they’d like to spend their free time, and, no, it doesn’t mean you have to spend money. So many activities, hobbies, and daily experiences are free of charge but will fill up your day and soul, walking on the beach, visiting friends, spending time with your children or grandchildren, and volunteering. View every day as an opportunity.

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m proud that throughout my life and career, I’ve worked to find as much balance as possible at that particular juncture at times that meant working full-time as a writer. At other periods of my life, it was juggling raising three kids who are now all adults with managing part-time project work. Every phase of life brings new challenges and opportunities. It’s all about being able to pivot and plan and living in the moment. With Practicing Retirement, I want to inspire others to realize that it takes some planning to get Retirement right. Be sure to do what you’ve dreamed of before your Retirement. You may have less time while still working, but it’s important to fit in hobbies, time with family and friends, and even short trips to test out what you may or may not want to spend more time doing once you’re retired. Plus, life is all about enjoying as you go along!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Hilton Head is an ideal area to Practice Retirement. With its natural beauty, miles of wide beaches, and many parks and conservation areas, it is perfect for the hundreds of snowbirds who flock here from colder climates to enjoy a walk or bike ride. In Hilton Head, it’s all about the outdoors year-round. You can bicycle on miles of trails throughout the island. You can play some Pickleball, tennis or a round of golf. (There are round robins for Pickleball and tennis, so you don’t even have to have a partner!) You can get out on the water to see dolphins, fish, or parasails. Remember Practicing Retirement means giving yourself the time to try new things or revisit what you’ve always enjoyed but only had a little time for when you were working more. Hilton Head also has so many amazing restaurants to enjoy local specialties like peel ‘n eat shrimp, po’boys, oysters, soft shell crab, and outdoor dining with a water view. Traffic is the biggest challenge since it’s an island. But when you’re Practicing Retirement, you don’t have to go anywhere during busy times. Weekdays are your jam. Seek out the midweek specials, happy hours, and less crowded beaches.