Dick and I were discussing retirement a couple of days ago and how we are so thoroughly enjoying this part of our lives and how very lucky we feel every day to be at this point.

 

Then we started remembering the many, many involved, sometimes stressful steps that brought us here. I do understand retirement can be a frightening prospect to some, so maybe that’s a point that needs to be explored.

Just what makes the thought of retirement so downright spooky to so many? I think it’s just the challenge of facing an unknown.

After all, for years and years, we’ve had set schedules – someone telling us what to do with at least 8 hours of our days, sometimes many hours more than that, and even if you’ve been in a high position, you’ve had a board of directors suggesting to you what to do, where to go, how to do it.

But now, your every waking hour will be managed by yourself. That’s good and bad. You are going to be your own boss from now on – well, maybe part-time with the partner, of course.  If you have developed different interests, maybe golf, maybe woodworking as Dick, maybe bridge like me, maybe building models, or working on your family genealogy, writing that book that’s been popping in and out of your mind for years, at least now you’ll have time to pursue some of those interests.

And, hopefully you’ll have more than just one interest. Playing cards 5 days a week, all day long, is going to wear pretty thin, pretty quickly. And when you get a bit older, golf will be more of an audience sport rather than a participation sport, more than likely, though for years after retirement age, it can still be enjoyed.

Don’t forget, volunteering can be a wonderfully fulfilling hobby and a wonderful way to meet a whole new group of people. And most organizations will greet you with open arms if you spend just a portion of your retirement volunteering and helping other people.

So, set a little bit of a challenge up for yourself:

Start to plan just what you’re going to fill your time with in those retirement years. Don’t let this possibly most wonderful time of your life just drift away, sitting around being bored – that’s not what retirement is supposed to be about as far as we’re concerned.

At this point in Dick’s and my life, we live checking the calendar, seeing what’s coming up next, and if there appears to be a gap anyplace, we try to fix it, before it becomes anything near a problem.  Do remember though, don’t fill every moment with business – a day with absolutely nothing but relaxing and puttering around is also to be treasured.  Try to keep a good balance, and that spooky unknown will turn into a happy, fun-filled retirement, I’m willing to bet!

I just heard this one, and I think it’s worth adhering to:  Be the kind of retiree that when your feet hit the floor each morning, the devil says “Oh crap, look out!  They’re up and going again.”

 

Retirement on the Horizon Article by Barbie.