Health/Wellness, Link Ups, Trying New Things

Wellness Reimagined – March 2025

Retirement Reflections


I’ve mentioned previously that I’m not much of a journal writer or list maker—except possibly when packing. What I personally love about this link-up is that it helps me take stock of the many different aspects of wellness and provides a brief record of what my wellness has looked like over the past month. While this list isn’t exhaustive, it offers a well-rounded snapshot of my efforts to stay active and healthy. Below are my key areas of wellness this past month.

CREATIVE

✔ Interviewed for the Women Living Well After 50 podcast (airs March 21)
✔ Wrote and published three blog posts
✔ Experimented with creative menu planning, balancing health, taste, budget, and supporting Canadian products (root vegetables, anyone?)

NUTRITIONAL
✔ Extensive reading on ultra-processed foods (UPFs)
✔ Eliminated UPFs from my diet (at least to the best of my knowledge)
✔ Practiced mindfulness in grocery shopping and meal planning
✔ Chose healthier snacks for social gatherings
✔ Managed to eat well on holiday—avoiding UPFs while still enjoying wonderful cultural meals

PHYSICAL
✔ Daily stretch, strength, and cardio
✔ Walking group twice a week
✔ Two massage therapy sessions
✔ Annual eye exam
✔ Lots of walking while on holiday

SOCIAL
✔ Lunch-Theatre Date with Deb
✔ Ladies’ Night Out theatre
✔ Walking group (see above)
✔ Engaged in two book clubs (one local, one online)
✔ Annual Super Bowl gathering

=

COMMUNITY
✔ Weekly visits to a senior in a care home
✔ Daily wellness check-in with WLWA50
✔ Ambassador for Home Exchange

RELATIONSHIP

✔ Daily walks (often to coffee!) with Richard
✔ Teamed up with Rich for daily Wordle challenges
✔ Valentine’s brunch out
✔ Daily phone call with my mom
✔ Regular contact with family and friends

CULTURAL
✔ Trip planning
✔ Two-week trip to Montreal and Quebec (where Richard and I decided to spend our vacation dollars exploring our own vast country)

INTELLECTUAL
✔ Lots of reading
✔ Completed One Hundred Years of Solitude—and managed to keep track of all 71+ characters
✔ Engaged in book club discussions (see above)
✔ Staying informed on politics (without losing my soul) and making conscious choices that align with my values when I shop

My cohosts and I would love for you to join us to share any aspect of what your wellness looked like this month. We hope to see you here!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

73 thoughts on “Wellness Reimagined – March 2025”

    1. Thank you for your kind words. Sue was very kind to invite me back to do another podcast with her. I did one with her a couple of years ago about walking the Camino. Although I am normally too chicken to do podcasts (especially ones that include video), Sue is so encouraging, kind and professional she makes the entire process super easy for her guest.

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    1. Thanks, Ally – When you begin parsing wellness categories it’s amazing how many there truly are (and how many overlap). Currently I am doing all that I can to stay informed politically and keep myself sane in the process. Every bit of wellness activity helps a great deal!

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  3. The food shot looks so good. Are those dates? I haven’t had one in eons. My husband doesn’t eat them so I only buy them when I can get a small amount. The plate looks so artistic and inviting!

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    1. Hi, Laurie – What I love about wellness is that any step that we take in this direction makes a positive difference. I don’t believe there is ‘ahead’ or ‘behind’ in terms of wellness — as it truly is impossible to quantify — just steps in the right direction! ❤

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    1. Thanks, Carole – I can’t believe how easy it has been to cut UPFs out of my diet — at least so far. It has only been doable because Richard is fully onboard, we are retired, we can afford pricier alternatives and I have the time to cook wholefoods. I am also an ‘all or nothing girl.’ So the moment I knowingly consume one UPF — all bets will be off! 😀

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  8. Hi Donna – you always put things together so well in your posts – I really enjoyed seeing the different categories and how you have such a balanced coverage of all aspects of life. Well done on being brave enough to do Sue’s podcast – I know being interviewed isn’t one of your favourite things! And I smiled at you and Richard doing the Wordle together – Ross and I both do the Wordle and Connections separately and then swap our results on Messenger with an appropriate gif – it often takes me more time to find the perfect gif than it does to do the Wordle 😀

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    1. Hi, Leanne – I love how you and Ross play Wordle. There are so many ways to play and enjoy. One couple that we know play separately and then text the results daily to each other and to their adult (plastic surgeon) son who also plays. Wordle offers such fun forms of connection.
      And good memory about me being a complete scardy-cat about doing podcasts. That is completely true. But, I think it went well. At least I hope that it did. ❤

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  10. That is a very varied and healthy month, Donna! I should write my diaries like this instead of spending at least an hour a day on them. Imagine the extra time I’d create. 🙂 Looking forward to your vacation blogs. Good distractions from the political mess.

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – I am the ‘Queen of the Bullet Point’! But then again, none of my posts or jottings will be turned into bookform so we have different goals. As an author, your long form diaries are likely the best form to stay with. BTW – when are you writing your next book? ❤

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      1. Unfortunately, I don’t have any spare minute in each day to even be thinking about or working on a second book, Donna. My life is super busy, but I am keeping up with my diary so my experiences are captured in text and in photos. 🙂

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  11. I loved reading about your month of wellness Donna. It’s been great to connect with you on Sue’s challenge. I’ve found the information you have posted, very helpful. I enjoyed your discussion with Sue on her podcast. By the way I love the set out of your post this month. It looks great.

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    1. Hi, Jennifer – Thank you for all of this kind feedback. I’ve been trying to balance holidays while still getting this post out so the bullet point format made much sense. Did you hear the podcast already? I didn’t think it was out yet. Wishing you a great month ahead!

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  12. I love that you are such a creative person Donna, and the list format is perfect with the various sections. You are certainly a well balanced and I’m very impressed with the UPF elimination! Great information and inspiration from you again. I really enjoy our linkups together as I learn so much from you.

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  13. Have been trying to cut UPFs out of my diet awhile – am also at the moment reading Chris van Tulleken’s excellent ‘Ultra Processed People’ . . . altho’ medically trained and still studying at a tertiary level, don’t think that all that easy 🙂 ! A step at a time as with everything in life . . .

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    1. I’m delighted that you are reading the van Tulleken book. Cutting out UPFs in our times translates to much time in the kitchen, extra dilligence while shopping, much extra cash at checkout, asking lots and lots of questions (until people roll their eyes and say “oh, it’s her again) and most importantly living with others who are completely onboard. Most people do not have these luxuries leading to a negative cycle. We all need to do what we can to eliminate UPFs and demand better quality affordable food and give ourselves grace when this is not possible. More than all of this, there truly needs to be systematc change.

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      1. Am kinda ‘smiling’ at two of your comments –

        1. ‘Oh, it’s her again’ is not an unfamiliar phrase 🙂 ! Because of a severe rotor cuff situation I am, at the moment, living in a serviced studio – ‘Why don’t you like this – it tastes nice’! is part of my current world 😦 !!!
        2. Yes, there has to be first an understanding and then a systematic change!

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  14. Hi Donna as always you kick all of your goals and I totally agree that wellness is not just about they physical side of things. I like that you’ve included your relationship with Richard as well. I’m looking forward to publishing your podcast interview with me. You certainly have gained a great amount of knowledge around UPFs and you have inspired others to learn. Enjoy Montreal. xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – Sometimes goals stick well for me (like starting this blog over 9 years ago, or morning mat workouts) but other times, despite good intentions, they do not stick at all. So far, cutting out UPFs has worked well for me even on vacation. At least I am not knowingly consuming UPFs. I know it is a long road ahead. Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

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  16. How nice that you’ll be on Sue’s podcast! You’ve been doing some good things the past month and I like how you include social, creative and community in your wellness habits. I tend to forget how important those bits are, although they’re naturally part of my everyday life.

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    1. Hi, Susanne – Yes, we must constantly remind ourselves that “man (and woman) cannot live on bread (and fitness) alone.” Social integration is repeatedly hailed by researchers as being the number one key to longevity. And all of those other bits are important too. ❤

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  17. Donna, wellness, wholeness, balance – it’s all about defining who we are at our core and maintaining that being through purposeful living. You have certainly walked the walk this past month. I look forward to more about your trip to Quebec and the podcast with Sue.

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    1. Thanks, Suzanne – We certainluy are getting many seasons in one short trip to Quebec. When we arrived it was -8C. Yesterday was -22. Today is a high of -6 plus snow. Tomorrow is +1. And Wednesday is +5 with heavy rains. Despite the ever changing weather (and a minor cold/sore throat) we are greatly enjoying our time here. ❤

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  18. GM Donna, you have stretched your wings and flexed your muscles in many admirable way so far this year. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the Margaret Meade quote.

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  21. Donna, I so look forward to your posts & the comments. It’s part of my intellectual & social wellness. Yes, wellness is so much more than physical. I’d also include emotional & spiritual aspects of wellness. So often the categories overlap; one serves the other. The grief work I’ve been doing since mom’s death 6 mos ago is all encompassing with continued learning about the grief process & death & dying. I wouldn’t want to navigate this life without the friends & community who add to the fabric of my life. Daily activity & yoga & nutrition are also threads in the fabric of my life & tick off many boxes in my wellbeing. Walking in nature is where I do my communing; nature – my church of the long grass, to quote John Wort Hannam. My prayer – thank you for my home in the hills, the home in my heart & the people who lead me there.

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    1. Hi, Mona – Thank you for your very kind feedback. I always look forward to your comments and I rush to read them. Wellness, as you so eloquently describe, is an intricate blend of the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual—each thread strengthening the others. Grief, too, is woven into that fabric, reshaping but never unraveling the love that remains. Your gratitude, your awareness, and the way you root yourself in nature and community are profound testaments to a life well lived and well felt. May your home in the hills, your heart, and the people who uplift you continue to be sources of comfort and light.

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  22. Hi Donna, what a great month of wellness you’ve had! I’m also trying to remove UPF from my diet – it’s really hard when hubby is not on board 🫤 And you’ve got to give me your secret for “Staying informed on politics (without losing my soul)” 🥴 Best wishes for March!!

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    1. Hi, Sharon – I agree that staying informed on politics without losing our souls is tricky – but I believe this is important now more than ever. I used to be one to bury my head in the sand and refuse to discuss politics (even though I come from a very political family and am married to someone who thrives on the news and on political discussions. What is working for me (at least for now) is:

      1. Curating my news sources – ensuring they are balanced and reliable and not clickbate FB headlines.
      2. Limiting my exposure.
      3. Engaging wisely.
      4. Taking action where I can.
      5. Maintaining perspective – Balancing political awareness with personal wellbeing.

      Wishing us all a positive March ahead.

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  25. Hi Donna, Such a wonderful and holistic month of wellness. I don’t know how you do it all. Very inspiring! I have already shared some of my February wellness activities with #WBOYC so I didn’t add my blog link to #WellnessReimagined. I hope you and Richard are enjoying Montreal and Quebec City. Have a great week!

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  27. Well done in meeting your goals! I’m pleased to hear you made it through One Hundred Years of Solitude. I loved that book. I look forward to hearing about your trip to Quebec.

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    1. Thanks, Darlene- I did almost abandoned ‘100 Years’ when I was only 20% through. A literary blogger who I greatly admire, ‘We Can Read It For you Wholesale,’ did just that. I am glad that I persevered!

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  28. Donna,

    I’ve often said “I don’t know how I had time to work!” Nevertheless, compared to you, I should probably have a part-time job so I wouldn’t feel so guilty. I’m impressed with your pursuits to achieve mental, physical, and intellectual wellness. Keeping up with 71+ characters shows that you about have the intellectual part cornered. Well done! Enjoy Montreal, and please stay in touch. Joe

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  29. well, I’m committed to trying something outside my comfort zone. My watercolor painting class starts on Thursday! Yikes!

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  31. This was a great post with the different categories and what stood out the most was staying off of the UPF while traveling. Wow – that is hard to do because taking trips really limits options = also glad you were able to get in so mcuh walking…

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    1. Thank you for reading and commenting. We were fortunate to stay in two lovely home exchanges while traveling. That meant that we were able to prepare many of our own meals which was a life saver in avoing UPFs.

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  32. WOW!! You are an inspiration. I’d like to journal that also, but not this past month. Recovering from face surgery (after Mohs for the melanoma) means no exercise for a month. Driving me crazy!! I always watch the number of steps I get each day, socialize with friends, and cook healthy meals. In Feb, friends/family brought us “heat up meals” which I must say, are NOT healthy. ;-0 Hopefully by April I’ll be back to healthy and checking off the same things you do. Good luck with your podcast!!!!

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  34. Hi Donna – I have noted … and do work in these directions – probably way too much reading – but otherwise I mix and match … great to have these ideas here – thank you … cheers Hilary

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