Retirement is an Opportunity to Reinvent Yourself

Retirement is a New Beginning

Retirement is an opportunity to reinvent yourself.  Whether you loved your job or not so much, for years, you conformed to real life. Life didn’t conform to you or your desires. Twenty or thirty years later much in life passes. Finally, the time comes to sign the retirement papers, and both excitement and fear encompass your thoughts.

Whether you are close to retirement or have more years to work, this post gives ideas of what to expect. Several thoughts run through your mind. Here are some questions that many pre-retirees ask. Will I have enough money to live? How much is health care going to cost? What will I do every day? Should I work one more year? Don’t fret! Retirement is your chance to begin life fresh.

Break Free and Decompress

Many people have a work persona. It’s different from your persona. Immediately, when you retire, drop the work personality. The real you is waiting impatiently to break free. Also, most people have a bucket list of places to visit and things to do. Therefore, now is the time to begin checking off items on the bucket list. Let’s take a look at what opportunities await you in retirement. 

First, it’s time to decompress! Year after year you caught the train or bus at the same time every day. Or Monday through Friday you battled rush hour traffic. Then arriving home from work you prepared dinner for the family and completed other household chores. Your movement through life was rote, stressful, and sometimes mundane. Things are about to change! Now you can sleep late. Each morning get a cup of coffee, look out the window and watch others go to work. Observing others is especially fun during a snowstorm. Sometimes, you may decide to turn over in bed and pull the covers over your head.

Get Healthy

Another item to check off the list is to get healthy. Often working people neglect their health. Work hours are not conducive to doctors’ office hours. How dare you take off from work to go to the doctor for a checkup. So, you put it off for months and sometimes years. It’s time to get physically and mentally healthy. Your blood pressure and cholesterol are high. Maybe you’re a borderline diabetic or have a serious ailment. Make appointments for a full physical checkup, blood tests, vision and dental exams. Then start an exercise and healthy eating plan. You will feel so much better.

Travel

Going back to the bucket list, what cities and countries have you dreamed of visiting. Now you have all of the vacation days that you need. Of course, budget within your means when planning your trips. Retirement means you are currently on a fixed income and receive a monthly check. Remember not to let your dream vacation exceed your retirement check. However, you can find great travel deals on websites like Groupon, Living Social, Travel Pirates and more. Airlines like Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, WOW, and some major airlines have great sales throughout the year. Pack your bags!

Family and Friends

Retirement gives you the freedom to spend more time with family and friends. Socialization is an essential human activity and keeps us healthier and happier. Schedule time to go out with your best buddies. Your spouse or significant other deserves so love, too. Pick a day for weekly or bi-weekly date nights. It’s now easier to visit restaurants you want to try or movies you want to see because you have time! Plus some restaurants and theaters have discounts for seniors or discount tickets on certain days.

Start a Small Business

If you still feel the need to keep busy during retirement, it’s a perfect time to start a small or home business. Develop your entrepreneurial spirit. Think about your marketable skills and how they can be used to create a small business. Research and write a business plan. Then network and market to potential customers. Fortunately, technology opens up many business opportunities to get a company started. Retirement is also an opportunity to create additional income.

Take A Class

Have you always wanted to learn something new, but never had the time. Perhaps you want to learn a language. Maybe you want to learn photography or how to ride a motorcycle. Community colleges, art centers, or community centers offer all types of courses. Sign up for a class and begin a new hobby. Learn a new skill or trade and turn it into a new side hustle.

These are a few ideas to ponder and plan for retirement. See what fits your lifestyle during this new phase of life.  Moreover, your departure from working is an opportunity to reinvent and become a brand new you. Furthermore, it is essential to keep physically and mentally active. Let your new adventure begin.

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