Five Minute Friday 6: Ditch The Phrase "Golden Years" The Retired Mindset podcast

Five Minute Friday 6: Ditch the Phrase "Golden Years"

11d ago 6:04

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This week on Five Minute Friday, we’re taking on a big cultural myth — one that desperately needs a modern-day reboot.

You’ve heard the phrase “The Golden Years” your whole life, right? That overly sentimental term that sounds like it was pulled straight from a 1970s retirement brochure — smiling couple, pastel sweaters, beach walk, soft-focus camera lens… maybe a gentle flute solo in the background?

Yeah. That phrase.

Here’s the problem: “Golden Years” unintentionally suggests winding down. It paints retirement as a mellow, static stage meant for rocking chairs, sunset-watching, and slow-motion pancake flipping. Nice, but… not exactly inspiring.

And let’s be honest — gold doesn’t bend.
It’s inflexible.
Exactly the mindset we do not want heading into retirement.

In this episode, Bob challenges the whole idea and makes the case for a full-on rebrand:

Retirement isn’t a final act — it’s an encore. And not a quiet one. Think pyrotechnics, laser lights, a guitar solo, and a crowd screaming for more.
These aren’t years to coast — they’re years to level up.
Instead of “Golden Years,” maybe it’s time to call them:
- The Prime Time Years
- The Bonus Round
- The Heck Yeah Years

Bob shares his own journey — how he initially fell into the “slow down” mindset after retiring… before quickly realizing he wasn’t built for that. Launching this podcast, exploring new passions, learning new things — this stage of life didn’t shrink him. It expanded him.

And the invitation to listeners?

Define this era for yourself. Boldly. Loudly. Honestly.
If someone says, “Enjoy those Golden Years,” feel free to reply:
“Nope — these are my Shining Years. My Bold Years. My Heck-Yeah-I’m-Still-Here Years.”

Because retirement isn’t the end of the road.
It’s the off-ramp to everything you finally have time to do, pursue, build, and become.

Life doesn’t fade after 60 — it gets brighter. And remember, in retirement, Soul Meets Body.

Join us as we post new episodes weekly!

Connect with Bob: [email protected], LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeart, TheRetiredMindset.com.

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