Enjoy Retirement by Recreating a New Mental Outlook
By Shane Flait © 2009

Retirement is our third phase of life. Our first phase found us growing up and becoming educated to make a living. In the Second phase we create a family and the wealth to support and raise the kids through their own first phase.

But as our second phase responsibilities fade away, we need to recreate our outlook to reap a new opportunity for enjoyment and avoid the depression and loss of purpose that many retirees feel. This article addresses how you can do just that.

In phase 2, you strove to support your family and secure a future for them. You created a mindset and impetus to support this– sometimes beyond concern for your own happiness. But with your children now raised and on their own, much the impetus for your phase 2 mindset has vanished. And that can rack havoc with enjoying your retirement.

 

With the end of work and the kids gone, you may feel a loss of purpose and productivity.

Retirement can seem depressing if you’re running on your ‘phase 2 mindset’. That mindset has engulfed most of your thoughts for possibly 40 years. You must recognize it and begin to change it.

 

People who have trouble transitioning into retirement are often the ones who had a single-minded commitment to their work and an identity strongly tied to their jobs. They may have had limited interests beyond their careers and social lives that were heavily integrated with their working lives.  Metaphorically, retirement pulled the rug from under their feet. Now, they need a new rug to stand on.

 

To find happiness and fulfillment in retirement you need to kindle the passion and excitement you previously experienced with supporting your job and family. You’ve got to identify your greatest interests and direct your energy to them. Let go of the past so you can focus on the future.

 

Refocus your life to a purpose based on what you’d like to accomplish for yourself. This can be anything from artistry to starting a business to doing charity work.

 

To help recognize and prioritize what you might want to do, answer these questions.  They’ll help reveal what you see as important in your remaining years.

1.       If money’s not a problem in retirement, how would you live your life?

2.       If you were to die within the next 5 years, what life would you live?

3.       If you were immediately confined to a bed and terminally ill, what would you regret most for not having done?

 

Think hard on your answers. You’ll not live forever and you may be healthy for a shorter time than you think. Cut through the chaff and get to what’s worthwhile for you to do – i.e. what’s a purpose you can live – and die - with.

 

Here are some actions to help get your mind in transition mode:

• Start learning something that has always fascinated you.
• Begin your retirement with a year long adventure to someplace(s). Make it something that excites and challenges you. Create some goals to accomplish during it. If necessary, make it inexpensive so you can do it.
• If you’re still working, arrange to work only half time so you can use the other half to develop a hobby or an enjoyable job that’ll engross your mind.

Answering the questions and taking the actions above will help you reclaim your mindset so you can create a new one for your retirement life. You’ll rediscover yourself and the energy within you to support your dreams – some of which you may have long forgotten about.

 Shane Flait is a writer and educator. See more at www.EasyRetirementKnowHow.com