For some lucky people this year will mark the launch of their retirement journey. After dedicating decades to the working world and saving and scrimping to build a sufficient nest egg, the finish line is about to be crossed. The time has come to break out forgotten hobbies and revisit the passions that inspired earlier years. With the right preparation and attitude there is no reason your second act cannot be an excellent chapter in your life.
Living the life of a retiree will be a big change. You are no longer on the clock. You are free to do what you want for as long as you want. There are no more meaningless meetings or tiring trips requiring your attention. If all goes well, the retirement lifestyle you are about to embrace should be much more interesting and inspiring than your life up to this point.
Retirement is a significant life event that provides opportunities and challenges. Here are some of the emotions you may experience as you begin your retired life.
Excitement. It will certainly be fun to start doing everything you want to do. Many people beginning their retirement journey cannot wait to get to it. New retirees get to embark on a journey that is entirely of their own making. If you were limited to this point because you did not have time, get ready to go for it. Each day offers the opportunity to do something you want to rather than have to do. For some people the freedom to choose allows the pursuit of interests that matter to them personally. When it is no longer about the paycheck, you can set free your imagination to focus on what you find most important and meaningful. Boundaries are removed since you answer to no one other than yourself. If you want to do it, this is your chance.
Nervousness. Since you have never tried retirement before, what it will be like is uncertain and there are many unknowns. What if you run out of interesting things to do and find yourself bored? Although you may do your best to live a healthy lifestyle, what if your health does not hold up? Did you save enough to cover all the unforeseen expenses the next 20 years may throw your way? It makes sense to feel apprehensive as you get under way. But it is also important to realize that you are for the most part in control of your own life. You can choose how you spend your time and what you do. As with many things, if you spend too much of your time imagining everything that could possibly go wrong you can end up missing out on living now. It’s better to try to harness that nervous energy and channel it into an enjoyable outlet.
Curiosity. While a member of the working world your days were pretty predictable. You get up, go to work, survive the day, return home and repeat. Now in retirement, you get to fill out your own dance card. This is your chance to pursue the curiosity that has been held in check by other demands. Take advantage of the opportunity to experiment and try new things. Ask questions, take chances and explore all that intrigues you.
Relief. Just as a marathon runner feels elation upon completing a race, many people graduating into retirement feel a certain relief. Most of our lives are a series of up and down moments where we never quite know what is in store. Getting to retirement is not guaranteed for anyone. Now that you are here, it is a relief. The pressure to make it is gone, while the promise of what can be takes center stage. Now is your time to enjoy your hard-earned retirement. Welcome to your second act.
Dave Bernard blogs at Retirement-Only The Beginning.
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4 Emotions New Retirees May Experience originally appeared on usnews.com
