HAPPILY EVER AFTER Navigating Marriage After Retirement
The golden years have finally arrived! No more alarm clocks, long hours at the office, meetings, lengthy commutes, and nagging obligations. Instead, there’s more time available to dedicate to your passions in life — hobbies, books, outdoor activities, social events, and time spent with your spouse. However, retirement can sometimes place a strain on your marriage, even though it is perfectly happy and healthy. Why is this? Well, for many years, your relationship adapted to the ebb and flow of work and career, and you developed an equilibrium. Once retirement hits, life changes, and it can be difficult for your relationship to adapt. Here are some great tips to help your marriage navigate through the changes in retirement! Practice patience. The years and months leading up to retirement are filled with much anticipation. Once the time finally arrives, it’s exciting and thrilling, and as you settle into your new routine, it can be relieving but may also be a bit lonely as well. Just as it sounds, retirement can take you on an emotional roller coaster, thus it’s important to be patient and compassionate with your spouse while going through this transitional time together.
Pay attention to changes in feelings, thoughts, and actions. As we all transition through changes in life, our coping
mechanisms vary. Some of us may shop more frequently, drink alcohol in higher amounts, watch more television,
withdraw from social interaction, or become more irritable. If you notice any similar changes in yourself or your spouse, increase your healthy coping strategies such as journaling, exercising, communicating, and meditating! Rediscover yourself. Retirement is chock-full of time to fall in love with things that used to captivate you — or to find new hobbies that interest you! Take time to visit the beach, take a bike ride, enjoy a pottery class, get back into woodworking, or take dance lessons. What intrigues you, what do you enjoy, and how do you want to spend your time? Retirement is a beautiful time, so embrace the ups and downs with your spouse and remember you are there to support each other. Give each other grace and breathing room when you need it, offer an ear to listen, speak words of encouragement, and ride the waves together!
Take a
Break!
RESTAURANT-STYLE CHICKEN MARSALA
Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cup flour, for dredging • Salt and pepper, to taste • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/4-inch thick
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil • 4 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced • 8 oz mushrooms
• 1/2 cup Marsala wine • 1/2 cup chicken stock • 2 tbsp butter
DIRECTIONS
1. In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and pepper until evenly distributed. 2. Add chicken to flour mixture and coat all sides. Shake off any excess. 3. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Once hot, add chicken to the skillet. Work in batches if pieces don’t all fit in the pan. Cook each side for 5 minutes until golden brown. 4. Remove chicken to a platter. 5. Lower heat to medium. Add prosciutto to pan and sauté for 1 minute. Add mushrooms and sauté until browned, about 5 minutes. 6. Add Marsala to skillet. Let it come to a boil, then add the chicken stock and simmer for 1 minute. 7. Stir in the butter and add chicken back into the skillet. Let simmer gently for an additional minute, then serve.
Solution on Page 4
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