About Retirement Wanderlust
Hi, I’m Dee Kerdor
Welcome to Retirement Wanderlust. I’m glad you’ve found your way here.
The honest beginning
My first retirement wasn’t planned.
When my husband took a role overseas, I found myself unable to work for the first time in my life. It was, in many ways, an adventure, but alongside that came something I hadn’t expected.
A loss of identity.
Uncertainty.
A quiet kind of boredom that was harder to name than I thought it would be, even knowing how fortunate I was.
Left to my own company for too long, I became more insular than I realized. What I needed, more than anything, was connection.
Before we left, I started looking for volunteer opportunities, simply to be around people again. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made.
It also changed how I think about retirement, connection, and what it means to feel purposeful when the usual structures of life fall away.
What I bring to this space
I’m not a coach or an expert, and I won’t pretend to be.
What I do bring is over three decades of working closely with people across different countries and industries. My work has always centred around understanding someone’s situation and helping them see things from a slightly different perspective.
That same instinct shapes this space.
My husband sometimes calls me a “sticky beak”. I ask a lot of questions, strike up conversations with strangers, and find it very hard to walk past a bakery or a hidden garden without stopping to take a closer look.
I’m also notoriously camera-shy, a bit like the Loch Ness Monster, so if you do happen to spot a photo of me, consider it a rare sighting.
Why I created this space
When I began reading about retirement, most of what I found focused on finances. Planning, projections, structure.
Those conversations matter, but they’re not the whole story.
What I felt, and what I began noticing others felt too, was something quieter and harder to name.
The identity shift.
The emotional adjustment.
The space between “I should be enjoying this” and “I want something that feels more like me.”
That side of retirement wasn’t being spoken about openly.
I wanted to create a place where it could be.
How I think about travel now
Travel means something different to me now than it once did.
It’s no longer about fitting everything into a limited window of time.
It’s slower.
More attentive.
Less about seeing everything, and more about truly being somewhere.
Noticing a neighborhood.
Returning to the same café.
Taking the time to understand a place, rather than passing through it.
That way of exploring sits at the heart of Retirement Wanderlust.
What this space is, and isn’t
This is a thoughtful space for women in retirement who are curious about what comes next.
You don’t need to have it all figured out to be here.
This space is not about quick answers, polished perfection, or travel checklists.
It’s for women who feel a pull toward something more, even if they can’t quite define it yet.
Small steps are enough.
Not knowing is allowed.
You are not behind.
You are not alone.
What you’ll find here
You’ll find reflective articles, personal stories, and ideas for exploring life in retirement, whether that’s close to home or further afield.
Over time, this may also include simple guides and a newsletter, always offered as an invitation, never an expectation.
From time to time, I also share stories from other women navigating this chapter. Privacy is always respected.
If you ever feel like sharing something of your own, the door is open.
Let’s stay in touch
If something here resonates, you’re always welcome to reach out.
dee [at] retirementwanderlust.com
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Disclaimer
Retirement Wanderlust shares personal experiences, reflections, and general information.
Nothing here is intended to replace professional advice. Before making financial, medical, travel, or other significant decisions, please consult a qualified professional.