Retired and Rooted in Egypt

Welcome to Retired & Rooted in Egypt!

I’m Matrell, a retired Navy veteran, entrepreneur, and American living in Egypt. This channel is for anyone who wants to create a retirement filled with freedom, purpose, adventure, and joy.

Here you’ll find honest conversations about retirement, my original Renee Carter story series, life in Egypt, retirement abroad, cost of living, travel, and practical inspiration for designing the next chapter of life.

Whether you’re retired, planning for retirement, or simply dreaming of a different future, you’re welcome here.

Retirement isn’t the end of your story—it’s the beginning of a brand-new one.

Join the R&R Crew - youtube.com/channel/UCjtGG18t6MogjE2IO-jaaHA/join

🌍 Easy Egypt Tours: www.easyegypttours.com

🏡 Easy Egypt Properties: easyegyptproperties.com

📝 Blog: retiredandrooted.org

🛍️ Shop: retiredandrooted.com


Retired and Rooted in Egypt

🌿 MONDAY MOTIVATION: An Imperfect Week Is NOT a Wasted Week

Good Monday morning, Crew! 💚

Last week, I had a list. And baby…the list had plans for me that I clearly did not have for the list. 😂

I didn’t accomplish everything I intended to do. There are still things sitting there waiting for my attention, and I could easily look at that and say, “I didn’t get enough done.”

But that wouldn’t be true.

Because you know what I did do?

I took a graphic T-shirt and an old muumuu and turned them into a cute new top that I absolutely love. I created something. I finished something. And that counts.

I’m learning to stop measuring a successful week only by how many boxes I checked.

Progress doesn’t always look like completing everything.

Sometimes progress is ONE thing finished.
Sometimes it’s finally starting something you’ve been putting off.
Sometimes it’s resting when you needed to rest.
And sometimes it’s simply deciding, “Okay, I didn’t get it all done. I’ll try again this week.”

Especially in this season of life, I’m not interested in turning every week into another performance review. Been there. Done that. 😂

An imperfect week can still be a productive week. And an unfinished list does not erase what you DID accomplish.

So, Crew, let’s give ourselves a little credit this Monday:

👇🏾 What is ONE thing you completed last week—even if the rest of the list didn’t get done?

I’ll go first: I made the shirt! 😂🙌🏾💚

#MondayMotivation #RetiredAndRooted #ProgressNotPerfection #GenXLife #LifeAfter50

18 hours ago | [YT] | 9

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

Happy Friday, Crew! ❤️

Confession: I did NOT get everything done this week that I planned. 😂

Some things are officially getting moved to next week—and I’m okay with that.

But I DID manage to squeeze in a little creativity!

I had this cute graphic T-shirt and an old muumuu that I wasn’t wearing, so instead of letting them sit in my closet, I pulled out the scissors and sewing machine and upcycled them into something completely new. ✂️🧵

And y’all…I think she came out CUTE! 😂❤️

Maybe that’s my little lesson from this week: progress doesn’t always look like the plan.

Sometimes you don’t check every box. Sometimes you change direction. And sometimes you take what you already have and turn it into something that works better for where you are now.

Hmmm…sounds a little like retirement, doesn’t it? 😉

So I’m heading into the weekend appreciating what I DID accomplish instead of beating myself up over what I didn’t.

And as always, THANK YOU to everyone watching, commenting and supporting the channel—and a very special welcome to our newest channel members. ❤️

Now tell me, Crew:

What’s ONE thing you accomplished this week that you’re giving yourself credit for?

Big or small—let’s hear it. 👇🏾

Have a beautiful weekend! ❤️

#RetiredAndRooted #UpcycledFashion #GenXLife #RetirementLife #LifeInEgypt

3 days ago | [YT] | 11

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

We’ve spent this month talking about time, freedom, community, priorities and what we want our next chapter to look like.

So I want to end September with one simple question:

What do you want MORE of?

Not what you’re supposed to want.

Not what looks impressive to other people.

What would make your actual life feel fuller, happier and more meaningful?

Vote below. Then tell me what “more” would look like in your life.

Poll question:
If you could choose ONE thing for your next chapter, what would it be?

Poll choices:
🌍 More adventure
🕊️ More peace
💰 More financial freedom
❤️ More meaningful moments

#NextChapter #LiveWithIntention #RetirementLifestyle #LifeAfter50 #RetiredAndRooted

5 days ago | [YT] | 8

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

🌿 MONDAY MOTIVATION: You’re Allowed to Redefine Retirement

Good Monday morning, Crew! 💚

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what retirement is actually supposed to look like.

For years, many of us were taught to work, save, retire…and then finally start enjoying life.

But what if retirement isn’t the finish line?

At 60, I still have ideas. I still have businesses. I still have things I want to create, places I want to see, money I want to grow, and goals I haven’t even dreamed up yet.

The difference now is I want my life to work around me—not the other way around.

That’s a big part of what moving to Egypt has given me: the opportunity to rethink how much I need, how I spend my time, what I value, and what I want this next chapter to look like.

And I’m realizing something…

Maybe retirement isn’t about stopping work. Maybe it’s about finally having more control over how you live.

That’s the conversation I want us to have more of around here.

So here’s my Monday question:

If money and other people’s expectations weren’t deciding for you, what would YOUR version of retirement look like? 👇🏾

Mine apparently includes big green glasses, turquoise jewelry, a full calendar and absolutely no intention of sitting down somewhere. 😂💚

#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementInEgypt #GenXRetirement #RetirementLifestyle #MondayMotivation

1 week ago | [YT] | 5

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

Happy Friday from Onyx… I think. 😂🐈‍⬛

This face is taking me right into the weekend! Apparently Onyx has already clocked out and would like the rest of us to do the same. 😂

And you know what? Maybe he’s onto something.

One thing I’m learning in this season of life is that retirement doesn’t have to mean sitting still. For me, it has meant having more freedom to decide how I spend my time, who I spend it with, and what I want my days to look like.

Some weeks are productive. Some are adventurous. Some are filled with friends, projects and plans.

And sometimes… you just need to give everybody the Onyx face and call it a week. 🤣

As we head into the weekend, I want to say THANK YOU to everyone who watches, comments, subscribes, shares my videos and supports this little community—and a special welcome and thank you to our growing R&R Crew members. ❤️

I appreciate you more than you know.

Now tell me…

What kind of weekend are you having?

😴 Rest & recharge
🌴 Get out and enjoy yourself
🏠 Handle some things around the house
👨‍👩‍👧 Spend time with family/friends
😂 Or are you officially on the Onyx Plan: DO NOT DISTURB?

Have a beautiful weekend, Crew. ❤️

#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementLife #LifeInEgypt #GenXRetirement #Onyx

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

🌴 WE’RE GOING LIVE! 🎥

Well…my first week in El Gouna definitely did NOT go as planned! 😂

I came here expecting relaxation, good food and a little change of scenery. Instead, within 24 hours I was in the emergency room, meeting with a surgeon…and shortly after that, having surgery. 😳

But that’s only PART of Week 1.

We need to talk about the vacation rental, healthcare, transportation, some AMAZING food, meeting new people, my recovery and what this experience is teaching me about the things we should really consider when choosing where to live in retirement.

And somewhere in the middle of all this, my sister and I managed to watch approximately 427 episodes of House Hunters International. 😂

☕ JOIN ME LIVE!
📅 Sunday, September 27
⏰ 10 AM Eastern | 5 PM Egypt

Come hang out with me, bring your coffee, and bring your questions! We’re just going to sit down and CHAT.

👇 Before Sunday, tell me this:
When you’re thinking about where you want to spend your retirement years, what’s most important to you — cost of living, healthcare, housing, transportation, community, lifestyle…or something else?

❤️ See you Sunday, Crew!

1 week ago | [YT] | 1

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

There comes a point when you realize you don’t have to give everything—and everybody—unlimited access to you.

Your time matters.
Your peace matters.
Your energy matters.

And sometimes growing means becoming much more intentional about where all three go.

So what are you protecting more these days?

Vote below, and tell me what made you finally start protecting it.

Poll question:
At this stage of life, what are you becoming MORE protective of?

Poll choices:
🕊️ My peace
⏰ My time
❤️ My relationships
💪🏾 My energy

#ProtectYourPeace #IntentionalLiving #LifeAfter50 #SecondAct #RetiredAndRooted

1 week ago | [YT] | 17

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

🌿 Monday Motivation

Good Monday morning, Crew! 💚

This morning’s reminder: the life we want is built in the little choices we make every day.

For me, retirement isn’t about sitting still and doing nothing. It’s about finally having more freedom to decide what deserves my time, my energy, my money—and yes, even what I put in my body. 😂

I’m learning that freedom means a whole lot more when you’re healthy enough to enjoy it.

So this week, I’m focusing on the small things: drinking the smoothie, moving my body, protecting my peace, handling my business, and continuing to build a life that feels good to LIVE—not just one that looks good on paper.

We’re not too old to change direction.
We’re not too old to create new habits.
And we are definitely not too old to build a new version of life.

What’s ONE small choice you can make this week that your future self will thank you for? 👇🏾

#MondayMotivation #RetiredAndRooted #RetirementLifestyle #LifeAfter50 #HealthyLiving

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 19

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

Happy Friday, R&R Crew! ❤️

I’m heading into the weekend EXCITED because tomorrow I’m hosting my first party in our home! 🥳🏡

But you know you can’t have a party without a last-minute shopping run. 😂 And apparently I can’t go shopping without deciding I need to make myself something to wear first! ✂️🧵

So yes… I whipped up a quick little outfit, got dressed and headed out to finish my party shopping. I’ll share the outfit details and a little behind-the-scenes in an upcoming Short.

More than anything, though, I’m going into this weekend feeling grateful. ❤️

Thank you to every subscriber who watches, comments, shares and continues to support Retired & Rooted in Egypt. And a BIG welcome and thank you to our new R&R Crew members! Seeing this little community continue to grow means so much to me.

This is a big part of what retirement looks like for me: having the freedom to create, build community, try new things and enjoy the life I intentionally designed. Retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down—it can mean finally having more say over what you’re busy doing. 😉

Now y’all cross your fingers that my first house party goes according to plan. 😂🤞🏾 I’ll report back!

What are YOU getting into this weekend?

#RetiredAndRooted #RetirementLife #LifeInEgypt #RetirementAbroad #Over50Lifestyle #over60

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 23

Retired and Rooted in Egypt

We spend years preparing for “someday.”

Someday I’ll travel.

Someday I’ll slow down.

Someday I’ll move.

Someday I’ll do the things I’ve always wanted to do.

But eventually you have to ask yourself…

How much of your life are you willing to keep saving for later?

Where are you right now in creating your next chapter?

Poll question:
Which statement sounds most like you?

Poll choices:
📋 I’m carefully planning
👀 I’m exploring my options
🚀 I’m ready for something new
❤️ I’m happy right where I am

#NextChapter #RetirementPlanning #LifeAfter50 #LiveWithIntention #RetiredAndRooted

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 19