What Does Retirement Really Look Like?

9 a.m. – Wake up to a leisurely breakfast and a cup of coffee. Read the paper and do the crossword puzzle.

10 a.m. – Go for a walk, then take it easy.

11:30 a.m. – Watch some TV and read a magazine or a book.

1 p.m. - Have lunch.

Afternoon – Go shopping, walk the dog, work on the house, and catch up with friends.

5 p.m. – Have an early bird dinner and kick back the rest of the day.

9 p.m. – Time to hit the hay.

This vision fits a sedate retirement home more than the current active retirements in which many retirees actually engage. 

In my 70's this what a typical day looks like:

8:30 Wake up have a cup of coffee and breakfast, review my email and check my blogs for comments

10:00-11:00 Review the news online and respond to my email

11:00-1:00 Think about issues, maybe read, and then write for my blog

1:00-2:00  Have lunch

2:00 to 5:00 Do some more reading, or go shopping, then review any workshops I am giving for the week, practice the workshop, and review the PowerPoints

5:00 to 7:00 Prepare and have supper

7:00 to 11:00 Watch TV and relax or go out to visit 

11:00-1130 Post any new material written on my blog

11:30 Go to Bed

Active retirement. 

Now that I’m older I know this is not what people do in retirement. Many people stay quite active when they first retire from their careers and put off the relaxed retirement until when they are much older.

An active retirement is not just keeping busy, but engaging in quality activities that make your life worthwhile. Here are some of the key ingredients of quality retirement activities to help guide your planning:

Find something you are passionate about. Since retirement is your time to do what I want to do, it is the perfect time to focus on what you are passionate about. Passions differ and can change over time, but you know when you are passionate about something. Whatever that “it” is for each of us, we need to find it and pursue it.

Find something that challenges you. If an activity is too easy, it will get done too quickly. Rising to meet a challenge engages our capabilities and focuses our attention. Successfully dealing with a challenge gives us a feeling of accomplishment and worth. Retirement can be a time of discovery if we engage in activities that push us a bit.

Find something that helps others. There is a satisfaction that we can realize by stepping outside of our comfort zone to help someone in need. Heartfelt gratitude expressed for even little things will warm the coldest heart. Some of us are courageous trailblazers who travel to foreign countries to help those in need. Other people just take the time to talk with a homeless person waiting on the curb and listen attentively to their story, empathizing with their situation, and showing that someone cares.

Find something that is long term. If we are fortunate, retirement will be an extended proposition lasting many years. It is advantageous if retirement activities are not quickly completed and require time and diligence. I think that something becomes long term when it is more about the journey than arriving at the destination.

I am learning that avoiding boredom in retirement cannot be accomplished by engaging in an unlimited quantity of activities. Rather, a satisfying retirement will be determined by the quality of the activities I choose.

I know most people would rather continue to be active after they retire from their career than relaxing around the pool all day.

Retirement can be a difficult transition. Retirement can be a difficult transition if you are not prepared for it. Many people who were near retirement age were forced to retire during the recent downturn. The loss of income coupled with the large losses in their retirement account caused a lot of heartburn. Taking up a part-time job or freelance work could help delay the withdrawal until the stock market recovers.

Have a fun retirement. An active retirement can mean part-time work, volunteering, freelancing, coaching, and many other activities. Doing part-time work and generating a small income after retiring is a viable way to reduce or delay withdrawal from your retirement accounts.

Retiring from a full-time job is a big change and many retirees often miss the structured routine of work. Keeping an active retirement can be a bridge to a relaxed retirement later on.