Written by

Fran Spears

How I found peace again after my grey divorce

Fran is tired of being made to feel like a third-rate citizen. Source: Getty

‘As a single pensioner in Australia, I feel like I’m always begging for scraps’

‘As a single pensioner in Australia, I feel like I’m always begging for scraps’

"Even though I pay the same amount of money to turn on a light, I, as a single person, still get less government assistance. "

The unertainty of the past couple of years together with the influence of social media has given rise to a negativity that must be challenged. Source: Getty Images

‘Let’s stop the negative behaviours and tackle our 2022 goals with positivity’

‘Let’s stop the negative behaviours and tackle our 2022 goals with positivity’

"Social media may give us a way of communicating, but it's also given us a platform to whinge and to tear others apart ..."

Protests and civil unrest aren't revolutionary, they're blocking our path to success. Source: Getty Images

‘Protests and civil unrest aren’t revolutionary, they’re blocking our path to success’

‘Protests and civil unrest aren’t revolutionary, they’re blocking our path to success’

Let's get on with it, pull together and look out for each other. We need to stop putting obstacles in our own way. There are enough blocking our paths already.

Fran suffered from terrifying hallucinations and heard voices following her recent surgery. Source: Getty Images

‘Snakes and spiders: I didn’t know going under would be so terrifying and dangerous’

‘Snakes and spiders: I didn’t know going under would be so terrifying and dangerous’

I have never been so terrified in my life, even though in my mind I knew what I was seeing and hearing was not real. I still cannot sleep properly.

Aerial view of Genoa and its attractions. Source: Getty Images

‘From Venice to Genoa: The best bits from my Italian adventure’

‘From Venice to Genoa: The best bits from my Italian adventure’

The Ligurian Sea shimmering, tourists and locals walked, laughed and were having fun, and pigeons, so many pigeons.

Fran discusses the benefits and pitfalls of social media. Source: Getty

‘Don’t like what I’m saying on social media? Just keep scrolling’

‘Don’t like what I’m saying on social media? Just keep scrolling’

"Who are we to judge?"

Fran was left unimpressed after a visit to an eye specialist. Source: Getty

‘Treated like an old fool: How a specialist tried to get the better of me’

‘Treated like an old fool: How a specialist tried to get the better of me’

"Now I know I am on the downside of my life, but I am not what I'd call old."

Fran discusses the difficulty of living on the pension. Source: Getty

‘I’ve had a gutful: Why are pensioners treated like second-class citizens?’

‘I’ve had a gutful: Why are pensioners treated like second-class citizens?’

I can’t remember the last time I took myself out for a meal or had cake in a cafe. Going...

Fran recalls the wonderful years she spent with her beloved Nanna. Source: Getty (stock image)

‘I hope my grandkids love me as much as I loved my Nanna’

‘I hope my grandkids love me as much as I loved my Nanna’

I remember Nanna. I remember the days when excitement was going to Nanna’s for a traditional Sunday lunch. Roast lamb,...

Stories that matter

Emails delivered daily

Explore More

Starts at 60