EPISODE DESCRIPTION Are you losing your memory, or are you simply not paying attention? Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you went there? Or found yourself juggling so many responsibilities that your mind feels completely overwhelmed? As we get older, it's natural to wonder whether those little memory lapses are simply part of aging or a sign of something more serious. In this episode of *Women Seeking Blissful Retirement*, I talk with Debbie DeMoss Compton about the connection between stress, memory, and caring for the people we love. Debbie shares a moving story about her parents getting lost on a trip to the store, bringing a very personal perspective to the difficult questions families face when they begin to notice changes in a loved one's memory. If you've ever cared for an aging parent, you know how easy it is to worry, second-guess yourself, and feel responsible for making everything perfect. Debbie offers a powerful reminder: **Sometimes, the best you can do is good enough.** Letting go of perfection can ease the pressure and allow you to focus on what truly matters. We also explore simple, practical ways to reduce stress in as little as five minutes, from breathing deeply to letting go of the need to be right. And Debbie shares ways how changes in routines can help us pay closer attention to everyday activities instead of moving through life on autopilot. Whether you're supporting aging parents, noticing changes in your own memory, or simply wanting to protect your well-being as you grow older, this conversation offers valuable insights and small steps you can put into practice right away. **Because caring for others shouldn't mean forgetting to care for yourself.** Tune in for an honest, heartfelt conversation about managing stress, understanding memory changes, and giving yourself permission to be human—not perfect—as you navigate life's next chapter. AFFIRMATION of the MONTH: I am capable of adapting to changes with grace and resilience. GUEST BIO Debbie DeMoss Compton is an international bestselling author, speaker, advocate, and founder of The Purple Vine, dedicated to helping women navigate life's demanding seasons with greater clarity, resilience, and confidence. As the author of three international bestsellers and creator of The Caregivers Advocate series, she brings a compassionate and practical perspective to challenges that affect so many women—particularly the stress, mental overload, and memory concerns that can accompany caregiving, major life transitions, and the retirement years. Through The Purple Vine, Compton provides education, encouragement, and resources designed to help caregivers and women caring for others remember something equally important: caring for themselves. Her work explores practical ways to reduce stress, support memory, create healthier daily habits, and move from simply coping with life to experiencing it more fully. Her message is especially relevant for women entering retirement who want this next chapter to be about more than slowing down. It can be a time to reconnect with themselves, protect their well-being, strengthen relationships, and make space for new experiences and meaningful adventures. That spirit of connection and renewal is also behind an exciting upcoming opportunity: a caregiversupported cruise to Alaska planned for Sept. 2027, offering caregivers and their loved ones the chance to experience travel with greater support, community, and peace of mind. In today's conversation, Debbie will share approachable insights into reducing stress, supporting better memory, and creating a healthier, more intentional next chapter—because retirement can be a beginning, not an ending. Here is how to get in touch with guest speaker Debbie DeMoss Compton: Website: https://thepurplevine.com Also, you can join her on social media: https://linkedin.com/in/debbiedcompton https://instagram.com/Debbie_Compton1 https://facebook.com/rec654 http://www.pinterest.com/compton1788 You'll find the books she wrote for caregivers on the following website: https://thecaregiversadvocate.com Debbie offers a free gift: 20 Ways to Improve Your Memory: https://thepurplevine.eo.page/Memory CONNECT with MARIA Want to meet like-minded women that are just like you discovering their next chapter in life? Join the Facebook group Women Seeking Blissful Retirement HERE: https://www.facebook.com/groups/WomenSeekingBlissfulRetirement Love to hear from you! Get in touch with Maria for questions or topic suggestions: maria@marialucassenHQ.com or use the contact page. ACTION STEP If you are retiring soon or made this step recently, and you are worried about being bored, not longer valuable for what you do and wonder what is next, knowing that there's more that you want from life, I get it. As someone who's been single all her life and had to adapt to feel at home, build new connections and find a new identity, I know that it takes effort, time and curiosity to create a happy fulfilling life. I work with women who are anxious and worried about the transition into their retirement so they can see the opportunities this next chapter offers. How can you create more fun and enjoyment outside your career and family? Are you looking for quiet time and less distractions so you can finally focus on what you want in retirement? How many dreams have you placed on hold while waiting for "someday"? Do you want to meet and share your thoughts, ideas and plans with other women who are in the same situation in a safe place knowing you will be heard? There is something that happens when women come together in person—especially at this stage of life. You realize you're not alone. You hear your own thoughts spoken out loud by someone else. You tell the truth—sometimes for the first time in years. This kind of shift doesn't happen in isolation. It happens in relationship, reflection, and real conversation. I think there is a moment that we realize that something we keep delaying needs our attention. If this resonates with you I developed a small intimate program for women who want to dream and explore possibilities to create a blissful next chapter with vitality, joyful experiences and empowering connections. The Design Your Blissful Next Chapter Retreat take place from November 13-15, 2026 in beautiful St. Petersburg, Florida. This Retreat is a 3-day, in-person experience for women who are done circling the same questions and are ready to step forward with clarity and confidence. Through guided reflection, honest conversation, and shared experience, you'll release outdated expectations, reconnect with what truly matters to you, and practice showing up as the woman you are becoming. This is not about reinvention or starting over—it's about claiming your next chapter with intention, courage, and support. You don't need to know exactly what's next. You just need to know you don't want to stay where you are. Choosing yourself now doesn't just change your life. It changes how you show up in every relationship you care about. This is not a leap. It's a step—into the life you've been preparing for. If you're ready to explore who you are becoming, I would be honored to walk with you. Registration is now open. https://marialucassen.kartra.com/page/yourblissfulnextchapter Spots are limited by design, because the experience is personal. If you would like to talk about whether the retreat is right for you, call me. I'd be happy to have a conversation. https://MariaLucassenHQ.as.me/NextChapter or email me at Maria@blissful-retirement.com
