Wondering & Wandering with Wendy

Wondering & Wandering with Wendy is where reflection meets possibility. Here, I share stories, insights, and real-life musings about the transition into retirement -  rediscovering identity, aligning with values, and finding joy in the space beyond “what’s next?” It’s a place for curiosity, courage, and conversation about creating a life that feels truly your own.

Looking for Direction

Most Canadians Don’t Have a Retirement Plan

By Wendy | October 21, 2025

Because a Meaningful Retirement Takes More Than Money The Canadian Institute of Actuaries (yes – that would be the other CIA) noted in February of 2025 that their research indicates “that over half of Canadians don’t have a comprehensive retirement plan, and only 44% of Canadians without a plan expect to live comfortably in retirement.”…

Taking a break during a Spyder ride

Bucket List or Compass? Design a Retirement You Love

By Wendy | October 6, 2025

People arrive at retirement for different reasons and in varying degrees of readiness. Often, the overarching goals are to spend time with loved ones and keep busy. But here’s the question worth asking: is that enough to build a successful retirement? Why We Retire Isn’t Always About Work According to the Ontario Securities Commission in 2024,…

Lac-des-Écorces

When the Future Feels Foggy: Start Dreaming Again

By Wendy | September 18, 2025

When the Path Ahead Feels Cloudy When the future feels foggy, start dreaming instead of getting busy! Have you ever looked ahead and felt like the way forward was covered in fog? Retirement can feel exactly like that. It’s exciting, but also unclear. After decades of working, raising families, and filling our days with endless…

Break from Spyder Ride in BC

How to Spend Your Time in Retirement?

By Wendy | August 25, 2025

Retirement Opens a New Chapter Retirement brings endless possibilities. With 20–30 years ahead, how will you use this precious time? For many, that question is exciting, and a little nerve-wracking. After all, you don’t want to waste your days, but it’s not always clear what a fulfilling retirement actually looks like. Many of us have…

Wendy's Memento Mori calendar tracking weeks of an 80-year lifespan, reminding us that life is finite and meaningful choices matter.

Creating Meaning in Retirement

By Wendy | August 12, 2025

Just how do we live meaning in retirement? In my last post, I left you with a question:“What would shift if your goal wasn’t to fill your days… but to feel them?” I like to think I’m bringing joy, intention, and meaning into each day. But truth be told, I’m also a bit like a kid in…

Redefining Retirement, Finding Purposeful Retirement

Busy vs. Purposeful: Redefining Retirement

By Wendy | July 31, 2025

Retirement offers time. What we crave is a purposeful retirement. Staying busy isn’t the same as living with meaning. “I’m busier now than I was when I worked!” It’s one of the most common things I hear from new retirees. And at first, it sounds like a success story. After all, isn’t being busy a sign…