Client Corner: Carolyn

After I retired, I initially worried about how I would fill my days without the structure of a 30+ year career. Work had long defined my routine, balancing job responsibilities with family life, vacations, and fun. My husband Gene is still working, so I began navigating retirement on my own.

We moved to Southern Utah the day after I retired, and I spent time focusing on hobbies like sewing, cooking, working out, hiking, and biking. It took about a year before I really started meeting people and branching out, but eventually I began taking classes, caring for plants, baking sourdough, paddle boarding, and enjoying quick day trips to Las Vegas. Gene and I also travel often to spend time with our kids and grandkids.

A couple of years later, I discovered pickleball and quickly fell in love with it. After starting lessons, Gene and I entered our first tournament—the Huntsman Senior Games—in 2025, which felt both intimidating and exciting. In early 2026, I partnered with a friend for another tournament, where we played eleven games over five hours and ended up winning a gold medal!

Now, I no longer worry about having enough to do. My days are full—sometimes more than I expect—with endless opportunities to learn and try new things. I truly enjoy the freedom that comes with retirement and look forward to even more traveling once Gene retires, embracing this time to do what I love.

– Carolyn