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Why the Second Half of Life Might Be Your Best Yet

At Wellings, we don’t think aging is about slowing down. We see it as a chance to deepen, grow, and rediscover what it means to feel fully alive.

That’s why a recent conversation with poet and philosopher Mark Nepo caught our attention. In his new book, The Fifth Season: A Journey Into the Second Half of Life, he invites us to look at aging in a completely different way. Not as decline, but as transformation.

Here are a few ideas from his work that stayed with us.

As we grow older, something interesting often happens. We begin to shed what no longer matters. Expectations soften. Priorities become clearer. Nepo compares this process to a meteor entering the atmosphere. The more it lets go, the brighter it becomes. In many ways, aging helps us become more fully ourselves.

He also reminds us that our memories don’t have to keep us stuck in the past. Instead of asking, “Why did things change?” we can ask, “What was alive in me then, and how can I bring that forward today?” When we look at our past with curiosity instead of regret, it can add warmth and meaning to the present.

Connection is another theme that really stands out. As life changes, it’s easy to wait for others to make the first move. Nepo encourages us to do more initiating. Go for coffee. Join a class. Sit with others, even quietly. Small moments of connection have a powerful way of feeding the soul.

He also talks about creativity, not as something reserved for artists, but as something we practice every day. Cooking a meal, planting flowers, fixing something around the house, sharing a story with a neighbor. These are all creative acts. When we show up with care and attention, ordinary moments become meaningful.

And of course, fear doesn’t disappear with age. But Nepo offers a simple practice. When fear shows up, place your attention on something steady. The ground beneath your feet. The sky outside your window. Your breath. These small anchors remind us that we’re supported by something bigger than any one worries about.

At Wellings, we believe this season of life holds tremendous possibilities. Whether you’re learning something new, enjoying time with friends, reflecting quietly, or simply savoring the day, you are still growing. You are still becoming.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Ideas to Make Winter Indoors Feel Full of Life

When winter keeps everyone inside, you have a special opportunity to turn ordinary days into meaningful moments. This season can be a time to stay active, feel connected, and bring more joy into daily life. Here are a few simple ways you can make the most of your indoor winter days.

Support Your Mind and Memory

Try joining or starting a small book club or story circle where you can share memories and life experiences. Set aside time for trivia games, crossword puzzles, or jigsaw sessions to keep your brain engaged. You might even explore a short language or learning class to spark curiosity and keep your mind sharp.

Express Yourself Creatively

Give yourself time to create. Paint, draw, craft, write in a journal, or join a music group. Creative activities are not about being perfect. They are about expressing who you are, building confidence, and enjoying the process.

Keep Your Body Moving Gently

You don’t need intense workouts to stay healthy. Try chair yoga, indoor tai chi, light dance classes, or simple stretching routines. Even a few minutes of movement each day can improve balance, mobility, and energy levels.

Create More Social Moments

Make time to connect with others. Join board game afternoons, attend movie matinees with group discussions, play bingo, or meet friends for relaxed coffee mornings. These small gatherings help build friendships and reduce feelings of isolation.

Add Warm and Comforting Experiences

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy cozy moments. Take part in cooking demonstrations, recipe exchanges, soup tastings, or tea afternoons. Sharing food and warm drinks naturally brings people together and creates comfort.

Find Purpose in What You Do

Look for activities that give you a sense of meaning. Join community service projects, participate in mentorship groups, or set fun group challenges like reading goals or gratitude journaling. Purpose-driven activities help you feel valued and involved.

Winter doesn’t have to feel quiet or isolating. 

With the right activities, it can become one of the most connected, active, and meaningful seasons of the year.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Canada Takes the World Stage: Proud Moments Ahead at Milano Cortina 2026 🇨🇦❄️

Picture this.

It’s early morning. Coffee is brewing. Snow taps softly against the window. Somewhere across the ocean, the lights rise over the Italian Alps. And at that exact moment, a familiar red maple leaf appears on screens around the world.

That’s when it hits us again.

Canada isn’t just a place on a map.
It’s a shared heartbeat.

In 2026, more than 250 Canadian athletes will carry that heartbeat into Milano Cortina. Onto ice. Across snow. Up mountains carved by history. From hockey players returning to Olympic ice for the first time in over a decade, to snowboarders rewriting what gravity allows, Team Canada is bringing grit, grace, and goosebump moments.

A few sparks to fuel the excitement:

  • NHL stars return to Olympic hockey for the first time since 2014
  • Canada remains one of the most decorated nations in winter sport history
  • Curling, one of our proudest traditions, returns as a medal favorite
  • Events will unfold across stunning historic alpine venues
  • Even Tim Hortons is showing up to support Team Canada on site

But here’s the real magic.

For a few weeks, living rooms become stadiums. Strangers become teammates. And an entire country leans forward together, holding its breath… then cheering as one.

This isn’t just sport.

It’s Canada showing up together.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

A Fresh Take on Love: Choosing a Life That Loves Us Back

What’s the first thought that pops into your head when you think of February?  Is it love, hearts, flowers, chocolates, Valentine’s Day cards, perhaps? It’s not just me, right? It’s a month focused on expressions of affection for the people we care for. As warm and fuzzy as that is for a few days, real life and real love on all the other days of the year, is not made of hearts and flowers. It’s so much more. It’s mystery and adventure; it’s grief and sorrow. It’s moments of utter joy and absolute sadness. Life is made of real people living real lives and as much as we may claim to love our lives, my question for myself and for you is how well does our life love us back?

Love from others is beautiful and many of us are conditioned to believe that love from other people is what love is. But there’s a fresh kind of love we don’t talk about enough, especially as we grow into the richest, wisest era of our lives. It’s the love we offer ourselves by choosing a life that truly supports who we are becoming as we age.

“The best love is the one that makes you a better person, without changing you into someone other than yourself.” – Unknown

At Wellings, we call it carefreedom: a way of living that removes unnecessary weight from our shoulders, so our spirit is free to rise. It’s the feeling of waking up in a space where you decide how the day unfolds, not the other way around. It’s where the rhythm of your life matches the rhythm of your heart. It’s where your day is filled with possibility, and sometimes for the first time, you experience true liberation and sovereignty. It’s remarkable how different life feels when it stops demanding of us and starts giving back to us.

When we’re young, we feel we have so much to prove and life wants a lot from us but as we age into the wisdom years, we have nothing to prove. It’s time to break free. Choosing a carefreedom lifestyle means that life isn’t chasing you with a to do list or a schedule. It doesn’t dictate who you should be or what you should do. This is where life meets you: exactly where you are with respect and ease. That’s what it means to live a life that loves you back.

And perhaps the sweetest part is that when we choose a lifestyle that supports us, there are unexpected surprises. We often rediscover parts of ourselves we thought were long gone. Joy brightens, laughter deepens, conversations spark curiosity. Even our sense of connection shifts from something accidental to something intentional. I recently heard Maria Shriver describe home as a fueling station, and I was struck by how true that feels. Home should replenish us. It should give back what the world takes out of us. It should be the place where we refuel emotionally, socially, and spiritually. It’s where we can gather strength for whatever comes next.

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

In a community setting, this idea becomes even more powerful. There’s an atmosphere of renewal, because everyone is beginning a new chapter. You have the freedom to start fresh, to show up as you are today, not who you used to be or who others expect you to be. You can share your story if you choose, or you can let it unfold naturally over time. There is no requirement to carry a complicated backstory into every interaction. You meet people in the present moment, and they meet you there too. This is what living well in community can offer: the chance to be energized by the people around you, to form new relationships that feel nourishing, to feel yourself growing more connected and more fully alive. It truly is a fueling station for the next beautiful stretch of your journey.

This, to me, is the essence of modern aging. It’s not about slowing down; it’s about waking up. It’s not about retreating, it’s about expanding. It’s not accepting someone else’s outdated script, but writing a new one that honours your wisdom, your vitality, and your desire for a lifestyle that nurtures your well-being in body, mind, and spirit. Aging, as I see it, is far less about counting years and far more about choosing how we want to feel. And choosing a life that loves you back is one of the most powerful acts of love you can offer yourself at any age.

“Love is not something we give or get; it is something we nurture and grow.”
– author, Bell Hooks

February, with all its heart-shaped symbolism, is the perfect moment to remember this. It’s a reminder that love isn’t something we outgrow. It’s something that evolves with us. And as we celebrate love in its many beautiful forms, I invite you to ask yourself one simple question. Does my life love me back? If the answer is yes, cherish it. If the answer is not quite, perhaps it’s time to imagine what would make it so. A fresh start doesn’t always require dramatic change, sometimes it begins with choosing more ease, more joy, more connection, more room to breathe. Life has a way of meeting us with possibilities when we make space for them. And sometimes, that brave choice changes everything.

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

5 Reads to Make Staying Indoors a Joy

As winter brings shorter days and longer evenings, something quietly beautiful starts happening inside our Wellings communities.

Chairs become reading thrones. 

Blankets turn into royal robes. 

And a good book becomes your personal portal to everywhere else.

If you’re ready to lean into peak cozy season, here are five books that can turn your winter days into small daily adventures:

The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

This one feels like sitting down with an old friend and a cup of tea. Told through letters and connections, it’s warm, thoughtful, and deeply human. Perfect for quiet afternoons when you want something meaningful without being heavy.

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon

Winter outside? Winter inside your story too. This gripping historical novel blends mystery, courage, and atmosphere. It’s the kind of book that makes you forget the clock exists.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

Book lovers, this one’s for you. Charming, uplifting, and filled with literary magic, it’s the kind of story that makes you believe bookstores should be protected national treasures.

The Widow by John Grisham

If winter makes you crave suspense, Grisham delivers. Twists, tension, and page-turning momentum make this a perfect “just one more chapter” read that accidentally becomes three hours.

Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell

For readers who enjoy emotional mystery with strong storytelling, this one pulls you in fast and keeps you guessing. Ideal for long evenings when you want a story that won’t let go.

So time to build your reading nest. 

Stack a few pillows. 

Choose your next adventure.

Because sometimes the best winter travel plans don’t require boots or coats… just a bookmark.

 
in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

The Sun, the Moon, and the Comparison Trap

Many people are becoming more affluent, but not happier. 
 
Why?

One big reason is social comparison.

We don’t always suffer because we lack enough. We often suffer because we measure our lives against someone else’s life.
 
Someone else’s highlight reel.
Someone else’s career.
Someone else’s lifestyle.
Someone else’s timeline.

And comparison is rarely fair. We compare our real life, including the stress and the messy parts, to someone else’s best moments. Over time, this habit pulls our attention away from what’s working in our lives and toward what we believe should be happening instead.

That slow shift can wear us down.

It can erode:

gratitude

contentment

confidence

even self-respect

It also explains something we see more and more today: even when people achieve more, they can still feel behind. 
 
Something to keep in mind is that the sun and the moon never compete. Each shines in its own time. Each has its own role. Neither apologizes for not being the other. The same can be true for us. A more peaceful life begins when we stop asking:

“How am I doing compared to them?”

And start asking:

“What matters to me?”
“What is already good in my life today?”
“What is one small step I can take to make my life feel more like mine?”

Comparison keeps us chasing someone else’s definition of success. Meaning brings us back to our own life, our own values, and our own pace. 
 
You just have to be you. 
 
Find your own meaning and create your own happiness
in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Adjusting the Sails, Enjoying the Voyage

If you’ve lived long enough to collect a few good stories, you already know this truth:

Life rarely stays “set” for long.

Sometimes the wind shifts gently, like a change in season. Other times it comes in sideways, like a surprise February squall that reminds you who’s really in charge. Either way, the question is not whether the wind will change.

It’s what we do when it does.

Optimism and realism can share the same kitchen table

Optimism is a beautiful thing. It keeps your eyes lifted. It helps you see possibility when the day feels heavy.

Realism is just as valuable. It keeps your feet steady. It reminds you that the world is what it is, and pretending otherwise doesn’t make the waves smaller.

Put them together and you get something powerful: practical hope.

Not wishful thinking. Not gloomy surrender. Just a steady willingness to say, “Alright. This is the weather. Let’s sail.”

The “age of stability” packed up and moved out

We’re living in a time of fast change, and it’s not slowing down.

Technology changes. Health needs change. Families shift. Markets shift. Even our expectations of what retirement “should” look like have changed.

The secret isn’t resisting the change. The secret is making peace with learning, then taking it one step further:

Let learning become part of the adventure.

When “adjusting the sails” becomes an expectation, it stops feeling like a personal failure and starts feeling like a skill you’re getting better at.

A simple sailor’s checklist for modern life

Here are a few ways to keep moving forward, even when the wind changes direction:

1) Keep one foot in routine, one foot in curiosity.

Routines give us comfort. Curiosity gives us momentum. Try a small “new” each week: a class, a new walking route, a fresh recipe, a different conversation partner.

2) Stay “packed and ready” in the best way.

Not packed with worry. Packed with readiness. It can be as simple as:

  • “If my plan changes, I can adapt.”

  • “If I need help, I will ask.”

  • “If something ends, something else can begin.”

3) Invest in connection like it’s a life jacket.

The happiest people are rarely the ones with perfect conditions. They’re the ones with strong relationships. A quick coffee, a shared laugh in the hallway, an invitation to join a table. Small moments build a sturdy social net.

4) Choose your pace, but keep moving.

Adjusting sails does not mean rushing. It means continuing. Even tiny progress counts. A ten-minute walk. One call returned. One drawer organized. One brave conversation.

Why this matters here, at Wellings

A community like ours exists for more than convenience. It exists to support something deeper: freedom, choice, connection, comfort, and community. 

That means you don’t have to sail alone.

Here, adjusting the sails might look like trying something new in the building, leaning on a neighbour for advice, or simply giving yourself permission to start again without judgment.

Because the goal isn’t a life with no wind.

The goal is a life where, no matter what blows in, you still feel capable, connected, and moving toward something good.

A little reflection for the week

If you feel like it, take one of these questions for a walk:

  • Where has life asked me to adjust my sails recently?

  • What is one small “sail adjustment” I can make this week?

  • Who in my community could I connect with, just because?

The wind will change again. That’s guaranteed.

But so is this: you’ve adjusted before. You can adjust again. And you can still enjoy the voyage.

in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Living with Intention: A Gentle Start to the Year

The month of January can make even the calmest among us feel like we should be doing more. People are buzzing about New Year’s resolutions, goal setting and self-improvement plans. It’s as if the calendar flips and suddenly we’re all supposed to work at becoming upgraded versions of ourselves. But wait a minute. What if we didn’t pressure ourselves to overhaul our lives every January? What if, instead of making resolutions, we simply set an intention and make that our guide to help us live with awareness and authenticity? Living with intention isn’t about striving or achieving; it’s about choosing how we want to feel, how we want to show up for ourselves and others, and it’s about choosing to focus on what truly matters. That’s a much kinder way to begin the year and it’ll last longer than any diet or 30-day challenge ever could.

We need to clear the clutter in our homes and in our head. Yes both.

Let’s start with something simple like clearing our space. Before you roll your eyes at another decluttering suggestion, I promise this isn’t about colour-coded bins or organized spice racks, unless that sort of thing lights you up, in which case, go for it. I’m talking about making space both physically and mentally. Take a moment to look around your home, and notice what feels heavy or unnecessary? What’s taking up space without adding value? What are you no longer wearing in your closet?  What about that junk drawer, or junk basket we all have? I know I’m not just talking to myself here when I say that editing those areas in our living space can feel surprisingly liberating.

While we’re on the subject, notice what kind of clutter might be piling up in your head. Maybe it’s old worries, outdated self-doubt, or the dreaded “shoulds” like I should be doing more, I should have this figured out by now, I should call my friend back. Let’s be honest, those thoughts don’t add value to our lives, they drain us. Let’s set an intention to clear the clutter, inside and out. Let’s ask whether things and thoughts are adding value to our lives and if they’re not, let’s clear out what no longer serves us, to make space for clarity, and calm. Doesn’t that sound like a great way to start a new year?

“Nothing changes if nothing changes, but when we change our attention, everything shifts.”
– Unknown

Once we’ve made some space, the next step is to fill it: not with more stuff, but with connection. If the past few years have taught us anything, it’s that we need each other. Real, human connection is nourishment for the soul, so this year, let’s make a little more room for it. Set a challenge for yourself to talk to someone new, maybe a younger neighbour or a classmate from yoga. Reconnect with an old friend or say yes to that coffee invitation. Heck invite someone for coffee instead of waiting for them to invite you. Join a book club, a walking group, or even an online class. Host a potluck lunch with a few friends or new friends. Connection doesn’t have to be complicated, but it should be genuine.

Our world needs togetherness now more than ever. Every passing hello is recognition, every shared laugh is a joy snack, every small act of kindness helps to build a stronger, more compassionate community. And let’s be honest here, when we open our minds and hearts to connect with people of different ages and experiences, life gets a whole lot more interesting.

“When you live with intention, every day has meaning.” – Anonymous

But the question remains, how do we live every day with intention? In my experience, it’s much simpler than it sounds. It’s about noticing what’s working for you and what isn’t. It’s about choosing to be kind even when it’s inconvenient, to listen more carefully and mindfully, to speak with care and compassion, and to appreciate the beauty in our daily life. Living with intention is an ongoing practice; it’s a commitment not a fleeting statement. It’s noticing the sunrise or sunset, taking a beat before responding, choosing gratitude over complaining and giving ourselves grace when we forget all of that because we’re human. It’s giving us permission to be a work in progress, while still celebrating how far we’ve come. Intention isn’t about perfection, it’s about awareness.

“Every moment is a fresh beginning.” – poet, T.S. Eliot

As we step into this fresh new year, maybe we can begin to let go of the pressure to be better and simply allow ourselves to be. Clear a little space, connect a little more, and approach each day with curiosity and kindness. That’s what living with intention looks like: not striving, but flowing, not forcing, but allowing, not changing but shifting our perspective slightly. As you ease into 2026, may you find peace in your heart, clarity in your space, and beautiful connections that remind you of how much you matter.

in Healthy Aging Posted by Kathie Donovan

The Practice of Caring

“I think… if it is true that
there are as many minds as there
are heads, then there are as many
kinds of love as there are hearts.” 

― Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Caring is a simple word with real power. It doesn’t need to announce itself. It just shows up. And when it shows up often enough, it changes a place. It turns a building into a community.

If you break the word down, you can hear what matters: care is attention, concern, the steady message of “I see you.” And -ing is the living part, the daily choice. Caring isn’t a label. It’s a verb.

Caring is not worrying. Worry spins in circles. Caring moves toward someone. Worry asks, “What if?” Caring asks, “What do you need?” It looks like checking in when someone’s been quiet, remembering a name, listening without rushing to fix, making room for someone who feels on the edge.

That’s what we’ve been building at Wellings this year, mostly through small moments. A hello that becomes a conversation. A seat saved. A hand offered. Kindness passed along like warm bread at a table. Because a building is walls and rules. A community is attention.

But caring can be tended or assumed, and assumed things fade. So the question isn’t whether we care. We do. The real invitation is this: what could caring look like next year, if we choose it on purpose?

Maybe it’s noticing who sits alone and building a bridge. Welcoming the new face. Offering help and respecting a “no” without withdrawing warmth. Letting someone be sad without trying to fix them. Celebrating someone else’s good news without comparing.

And caring for others has to include caring for yourself. Real self-care isn’t a slogan. It’s stewardship. Resting without guilt. Asking for help before you hit the wall. Speaking to yourself with kindness. Setting boundaries that protect what’s tender. Because when we burn out, we don’t become more loving. We become smaller.

This year we proved we can be the kind of place where people look out for each other. Now comes the part that matters even more: consistency. Caring isn’t a mood. It’s a practice.

So as we look ahead, let’s keep doing what we already know how to do: care in ways that are real, repeatable, and human. That’s how a community becomes more than a place to live. It becomes a place people carry with them.
in Carefreedom Living® Posted by My Wellings

Soft Cinnamon Rolls: A Little Comfort, Baked with Care

There’s something quietly magical about the smell of cinnamon rolls baking in the oven. It has a way of slowing us down, drawing people into the kitchen, and reminding us that some of life’s best moments are made one simple step at a time.

At Wellings, we believe food is about more than nourishment — it’s about comfort, connection, and taking joy in the process. Whether you’re baking for yourself, sharing with neighbours, or creating a cozy moment to enjoy with a warm cup of coffee, these soft cinnamon rolls are a beautiful way to do just that.

They’re tender, lightly sweet, and finished with a creamy icing that melts perfectly into every swirl. And best of all, they invite you to pause, breathe, and enjoy the moment.

Soft Cinnamon Rolls (Makes 12)

Ingredients

Dough

  • 1 cup warm milk

  • ¼ cup sugar

  • 1 packet (2¼ tsp) instant yeast

  • ⅓ cup butter, softened

  • 1 egg

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

Filling

  • ¼ cup butter, softened

  • ½ cup brown sugar

  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

Icing

  • 3 oz cream cheese, softened

  • ¾ cup icing sugar

  • 1–2 tbsp milk

Instructions

  1. In a large bowl, mix the warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it rest for about 5 minutes until lightly foamy.

  2. Add the butter, egg, and flour. Knead for 5–7 minutes until the dough is soft and smooth.

  3. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

  4. Roll the dough into a rectangle. Spread with butter, then sprinkle evenly with brown sugar and cinnamon.

  5. Roll up tightly and slice into 12 rolls.

  6. Place in a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until lightly golden.

  7. While the rolls are warm, mix the icing ingredients and spread generously over the top.

A Wellings Tip

Cinnamon rolls are best enjoyed warm, shared, and unrushed. Make a batch for a weekend morning, invite someone over, or simply enjoy the quiet comfort of baking something just for you.

Because at Wellings, it’s not just about what’s on the plate — it’s about how it makes you feel.

 

in Food and Recipes, Video Blogs Posted by Chef Robert Mills

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