Hey there!
I'm Christine Stallard—author, retirement mentor, lifelong learner, animal aromatherapist, and artist.
After a 30-year career and more than a few adventures along the way, I've discovered that life doesn't stop offering new possibilities when we retire. Most of us plan for retirement from a financial perspective. I know I did. But, in fact, some of the most rewarding chapters are the ones we never saw coming. And often it has nothing to do with finances.
Here, I share the things that inspire me, the lessons I've learned, and the passions I'm pursuing—from helping women find relevance and fulfillment in retirement to writing, creating art, and enjoying life with my beloved Bouviers.
I'm dreaming, designing, and living my next chapter, and I'm delighted you're here to share the journey! I can't wait to hear all about yours.
The World as I Know It Now
Writing, creating, inspiring—and embracing the possibilities of every new chapter.
The Author
Stories, reflections, and inspiration for embracing life's next chapter. The book Your Next Chapter. Dream It. Design It. Live It. evolved into Retirement Reimagined.
The Artist
Bringing the personality and spirit of beloved pets to life through colored pencil portraits.
The Mentor
Helping women discover new ways to put their lifetime of skills, talents, and experience to work—finding renewed relevance and making a difference in the world.
Trust me...
There's more to you than you think.
When I retired in 2017 after a 30-year career in government and public affairs, I thought I was leaving a career behind. What I didn't realize was how much of myself I'd wrapped up in it. My professional identity, connections, daily structure, and sense of relevance seemed to disappear overnight. I knew I wasn't done contributing. I just didn't know what came next.
That experience inspired me to write Your Next Chapter. Dream It. Design It. Live It. and create Retirement Reimagined. But along the way, I've discovered something else: we don't have to reinvent ourselves just once. We evolve. And as a result, our skills, talents, experiences, and passions can find expression in many different ways, sometimes in places we never imagined.
Today, I'm living that discovery myself—writing, mentoring, creating, learning, and exploring new ways to make a difference. And I'm convinced that we all have more to offer than any single role or title could ever describe.
There's more to your story. And I honestly believe, more to you than you think.
Read More About My Journey →
A Tale of Two Blogs
Two very different perspectives on life, each with its own stories to tell. In one, I share reflections on retirement, personal growth, and finding new ways to remain relevant and make a difference. In the other, Alli, my Bouvier des Flandres, shares her adventures, observations, and unique take on the world around her. Between the two of us, there's always something new to discover—and occasionally something to laugh about!
Christine's Blog
Reflections on retirement, personal growth, relevance, and discovering who you really are so you can step into what's next.
Alli Bouvier's Adventure Log
Life through the eyes of a Bouvier—with adventures, observations, and a little canine wisdom.
Discover Your Zone of Genius
There's more to you than you think. Curious? Then, let's go!
You've spent a lifetime developing skills, talents, and strengths—some you recognize, and others you may have taken for granted. But have you ever stopped to consider what makes you uniquely you?
My Zone of Genius Quiz is a fun, thought-provoking way to discover your natural strengths and explore new possibilities for putting them to work. Whether you're contemplating retirement, navigating a life transition, or simply curious about what might be next, this is a great place to start.