Under the Influence
This article appears as part of Casey Weade's Weekend Reading for Retirees series. Every Friday, Casey highlights four hand-picked articles on trending retirement topics and delivers them straight to your email inbox. Get on the list here.
Weekend Reading
We often think we’ve outgrown peer pressure—until we realize we’re still under its spell. These days, however, (thanks to social media) it often wears the face of an influencer or an algorithm.
READ THE ARTICLEComparison—The Thief of Joy: This article explores the modern epidemic of mimetic desire—wanting what others want simply because they want it. It’s a reminder that:
📌 Many of our wants aren’t ours—they’re borrowed from the lives we see online
📌 We can reclaim control by curating who and what we allow to shape us
📌 True freedom often begins not with accumulation, but with intentional subtraction
Key Takeaways: Start listening less to the noise around you—and more to the quiet wisdom within. For retirees navigating a new season of life, this reflection offers both a caution and a call: don’t let outside influence rob you of the clarity, purpose, and joy you’ve worked so hard to earn.