Living in Arrington, Tennessee, Shelia is a newly retired lifelong learner, traveler, novice bread baker, and devoted dog mom. She is excited to see where curiosity, adventure, and this next chapter of life will take her.
What age are you, and what age do you feel?
I'm 64. Most days, I feel younger than that, although my body occasionally reminds me
otherwise.
What is the best part about being your age?
Perspective. I've learned what matters to me and, just as importantly, what doesn't. I spend less time worrying about expectations and more time focusing on people, experiences, and things that bring me joy.
What matters most to you at this stage of life?
Relationships, experiences, and being intentional with my time. One of the gifts of this stage of life is realizing that time is our most precious resource. Throughout much of my career, I wasn't particularly good at work-life balance. I truly loved what I did, and work usually came first.
Retirement is allowing me to rethink that. I'm working on becoming more thoughtful about how I spend my time, choosing activities, people, and experiences that bring meaning, joy, growth, and connection.
What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I majored in Speech and Drama, but spent my career in the golf turfgrass industry—something many people don't even realize is an industry!
What does freedom mean to you now?
Freedom means having the ability to say yes. Yes to travel, yes to lunch with a friend, yes to a new experience, yes to volunteering, and yes to a quiet day at home baking bread with my dog sleeping nearby. It's having the flexibility to follow my curiosity and the freedom to be intentional about how I spend my time.
It also means having the confidence to say no. No to obligations that don't align with my interest or passion, no to spending time on things that don't bring meaning or joy, and no to feeling guilty about protecting my time and energy. After years of schedules, deadlines, and responsibilities, freedom isn't about doing nothing—it's about having the choice to do what matters most to me.
What brings you the most joy these days?
My dog Anya and spending time with family and friends, being outdoors, traveling, gardening, and discovering new places and new people. These days, I also find joy in slower mornings—waking up naturally with no alarm clock, enjoying cooking and eating breakfast rather than rushing through it to make it to work, and knowing the day ahead is mine to shape. And a good nap is a wonderful thing! I'm only three months into retirement, so I'm still figuring out what this chapter looks like, but so far, I'm enjoying the freedom to explore it on my own terms.
What are you rediscovering about yourself?
I'm rediscovering that I still have a healthy appetite for adventure. Not necessarily the
adrenaline-filled kind, but the kind that comes from saying yes to something new, meeting
people you don't know, exploring unfamiliar places, or taking on a challenge that feels a little intimidating. I'm learning that growth doesn't stop when you retire—it just takes a different shape.
What have friendships taught you over the years?
That life is richer when shared. The older I get, the more I value friends who can laugh with you, encourage you, challenge you, and show up when it matters. I've also learned that friendships change over time. Some friendships last a lifetime, while others fade as people move, priorities shift, or lives simply take different paths. That doesn't diminish their value or the role they played in a particular season of life.
Like a garden, friendships need time, attention, and care to grow. Some bloom for decades, while others are beautiful for a season. I've learned to appreciate both. The effort is always worth it because some of life's greatest joys and most meaningful moments are experienced alongside people who truly know and support you.
What qualities do you value most in people now?
Kindness, authenticity, resilience, curiosity, and a good sense of humor. Life has taught me that character matters more than accomplishments. I'm drawn to people who are genuine, treat others well, remain curious about the world, and can find humor even when things don't go according to plan.
What is the best advice you ever got?
Life is too short to be unhappy, and it’s too long to wait to be happy. Don't spend too much time waiting until you're ready. Some of life's best opportunities arrive before you feel fully prepared.
Onward!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Trust yourself more. Be brave. Worry less. You don't have to have everything figured out before you take the next step. Things rarely unfold exactly as planned, and that's often where the best opportunities, friendships, and adventures are found.
And don't be afraid to let go. Sometimes people, jobs, habits, or dreams have served their
purpose in your life. Yes, change is hard, but staying stuck is often harder.
What makes you feel most alive?
I feel most alive when I'm learning, exploring, and connecting with people. A new place, a
meaningful conversation, or discovering something I never knew before all energize me. I love going down a research rabbit hole when something sparks my interest and losing track of time as
I learn everything I can about it. I also find joy in working hard in my garden and creating
something beautiful from a patch of dirt. Whether I'm traveling, gardening, learning, or sharing stories with others, I feel most alive when I'm curious, engaged, and fully present in the moment.
What does a meaningful life look like to you?
A meaningful life is built on strong relationships, curiosity, and a sense of purpose. I've learned that purpose is a very personal thing. It doesn't have to be grand or world-changing. Whether it's caring for family, helping others, volunteering, creating, teaching, cultivating a beautiful garden, or simply showing up for the people you love, what matters is that it gives meaning to your life and brings joy to your days.
READ MORE > Rambler Profiles, Sole Sister Ramblers
Leave a comment