Most of us paint mental pictures of happy stress-free days to be enjoyed in retirement. However, once you have rested up a bit, retirement can become mundane and even boring. You need to create your own fun and excitement and find a way to fill the hours with something meaningful. Here are a few ways to set yourself up for a fulfilling retirement.
Find meaning in your day. Many working people measure their success by accomplishments achieved at work. We proudly display awards, certificates and accolades reflecting our exemplary performance. But once we depart the working world, recognition for a job well done can become scarce. If that praise was important to your self-esteem, you will need to find a new way to fill the void.
Retirement is not about being productive every minute. Instead of worrying about your packed calendar and stressing about how you will get it all done, your calendar is vacant and the stress shifts to what you can do to fill in the days. While you have earned the right to take it easy, it is also rewarding to look back on your day’s accomplishments and know that you did something to help others. It may take some time and work to select activities that mean something to you, and you may need to test out several arrangements. Some people discover that the search itself adds meaning to their day.
Seek excitement and newness. While progressing through our younger years, it is easy to find excitement and stimulation in daily life. Whether it is the kids competing in sports, company celebratory events or neighborhood barbeques where friendships are nurtured, there is always something to look forward to. But as the kids grow up, families move on and you leave your job behind, finding excitement can become increasingly challenging.
Excitement and stimulation helps keep us young at heart. New undertakings challenge our minds and bodies, and variety helps keep retirement fresh so we look forward to the coming days. Boredom in retirement is a frequent occurrence that requires effort to avoid.
I am a very organized person who likes things neatly mapped out. Before traveling I thoroughly research the destination and its history in minute detail. But I recently discovered what may be a better way to launch my explorations. You can head outside with no specific destination in mind, in search of diversion. It is while engaged in these wanderings that you may discover hidden jewels and special places otherwise overlooked. If we focus only on the ultimate destination we risk missing all the wonders scattered along the way. Who knows what is around the next corner or tucked away off the beaten path. Meandering narrow streets and hidden neighborhoods could turn out to be more exciting than the ultimate destination.
Take care of yourself. Retirement can offer a time for self-improvement. This is a chance to add to your knowledge by studying history or learning a new language. You can improve your skills, and have plenty of time to practice and hone your efficiency. A common goal is to burn off some extra pounds and build strength by adopting a regular exercise routine that you can stick to. It’s important to maintain your health as you age. When we get older some formerly easy tasks become more difficult. It may require a bit more effort to achieve the desired ends.
Decide what you really need. After decades of saving for this moment, in retirement you finally get to spend some of that money. But you also don’t want to spend your nest egg too quickly. A financially successful retirement requires living within a budget. With no regular salary coming in, we have to watch our bills. If you really want a particular something, what are you willing to trade for it? The money will have to come from somewhere, so you have to prioritize what you want the most. As long as you are not jeopardizing your long-term financial security there is nothing wrong with a little splurge now and then. Just remember you will be retired for a long time and don’t want to needlessly spend down your savings too quickly.
Dave Bernard blogs at Retirement-Only The Beginning .
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4 Ways to Find Meaning in Retirement originally appeared on usnews.com
