I had a great conversation with a client yesterday who told me he has finally decided to retire. He could have retired years ago but continued working because working is what he knew how to do.
He said it’s scary thinking about retirement not only from a financial point of view but from a personal point of view it’s just as hard. Retirement and the thought of retirement can be filled with doubt and uncertainty. In other words, answering the question “What am I going to do?” can be a challenge.
I have found in speaking with clients who are in or nearing retirement that this is a common concern. Yes, you can travel more and find time to do what you’ve never had a chance to—fill in the bucket list if you will. But once you settle I have observed that there can be a lot of peace of mind gained from a routine, whether it’s getting a cup a coffee at the same time and place everyday, hitting the gym, or walking with your spouse. All of them can do more good to one’s mindset than we think.
Retirement isn’t always easy. In fact, it is filled with quite a bit of uneasiness. The key is to find things you enjoy, find things that challenge you, and realize you’re not alone trying to figure this out. It’s that last part which is crucial, and sipping coffee with someone that you can relate to and vice versa can be a life saver.
Read Part I of this series here.
