Two years ago, I embarked on the journey of retirement. Like many approaching this significant life transition, I was intensely curious about what retirement would truly entail. Now, having navigated two years of this new chapter, I have gained invaluable insights I’m eager to share. This post is for those of you contemplating retirement, deep in retirement planning, or already retired and wondering if your experiences resonate with others.
Consider this as another installment in my ongoing “Retirement Reality Series,” a candid look at the retirement journey. At this two-year milestone, I want to reflect on the key lessons I’ve learned, hoping my experience can offer guidance and perhaps a sense of camaraderie as you navigate your own path.
First and Foremost: Retirement is Fluid
Unlike the structured predictability of a working career, retirement is characterized by its fluidity. It’s not a static state; it evolves daily. The most important lesson I’ve learned is to embrace this fluidity. Go with the flow, listen to your inner voice, and trust your instincts. The initial six months of retirement will likely be different from what follows. That initial period is often a honeymoon phase – enjoyable and exciting. Savor it, but understand that the landscape of retirement is ever-changing.
Retirement is like navigating a river. The current shifts as you journey downstream. Embrace the fluidity and adapt to the changing flow.
If the beginning of retirement feels like exhilarating rapids, anticipate calmer waters ahead. By the two-year mark, the river deepens and slows. It’s a more relaxed voyage, where the choice to actively paddle or simply drift is entirely yours. Regardless, the journey continues downstream. Occasionally, you might encounter eddy currents, moments of feeling slightly lost or adrift. Navigate through these moments; smoother waters are always ahead.
Embracing the fluid nature of retirement with a kayaking trip on the Toccoa River.
The Beauty of Unstructured Time
Closely related to fluidity is the unstructured nature of retirement. Life after work has significantly less imposed structure. For some, especially those accustomed to decades of rigid schedules, this can be challenging. Adjusting to a life with less external structure takes time. Personally, I’ve come to cherish the freedom that comes with shedding externally dictated routines. However, after two years, I’ve discovered that incorporating a degree of self-imposed structure enhances my days. For example, regularly attending gym classes in the morning provides a positive framework for my day.
Experiment to find your optimal balance of structure. Your schedule is now yours to control. If something isn’t working, change it. Add or subtract structure as needed. This newfound freedom is liberating; use it to your advantage in your retirement planning and daily life.
Constant Change Remains a Constant
Change is an inherent part of life, and retirement is no exception. Global events like COVID-19 are significant examples, but life’s constant evolution continues in retirement. The stock market will fluctuate, health challenges may arise for friends and loved ones, unexpected opportunities might appear, and unforeseen disruptions can occur. Change persists, even two years into retirement, and likely will continue to be a factor indefinitely.
Instead of resisting change, embrace it. Leverage your freedom to adapt to changes with resilience and a positive outlook. Speaking of attitude…
Attitude is, Indeed, Everything
Shortly before retiring, I outlined my “Ten Commandments of Retirement.” I wholeheartedly recommend a similar exercise for anyone in retirement planning. Commandment #1 was “Have An Attitude of Gratitude,” and it has been a guiding principle throughout my first two years of retirement. Whenever negativity creeps in, I consciously address it. Our attitude profoundly shapes our experiences, so intentionally cultivate a positive mindset. You’ve achieved financial independence – a significant accomplishment. Be grateful and actively seek out the positives, focusing on abundance rather than scarcity. Practice mental decluttering, purging negative thoughts. Your mental outlook is largely within your control. Choose contentment and gratitude.
Finding purpose and gratitude by helping dogs in need.
Prioritize What Truly Matters
Your time is now entirely your own. I’ve learned that dedicating my time to activities that hold deep personal meaning brings a profound sense of fulfillment at the end of each day.
Focus more on contributing to others and less on self-centered pursuits.
Retirement offers a unique opportunity to give back. Discovering purpose through actions that benefit others is likely to be the most rewarding use of your time. Seek out ways to get involved in your community or causes you care about, and surround yourself with people who share a generous spirit. Never stop learning and challenge yourself to explore new interests. At this two-year mark, I find myself increasingly drawn to helping others, a trend I hope to continue.
The Beauty of Slowing Down
Recently, my wife and I were picking up a donated dog house for her charity, Freedom For Fido. On the way, we spotted a sign for an estate sale and decided to stop. We didn’t buy anything, but we had a delightful, unhurried conversation with the homeowner. These unexpected connections with strangers enrich life. Retirement allows us to escape the constant rush. Life shouldn’t be lived in a hurry, and retirement provides the chance to slow down, to intentionally “take the long way home.”
Enjoying the slower pace of retirement on the Million Dollar Highway in the Rockies.
Embrace a Retirement Bucket List
Having aspirations and exciting goals is crucial in retirement planning. After years bound to a desk, the chains are broken. You are free to explore and experience. So… Go!
In my initial months of retirement, we embarked on a 7,000-mile cross-country train journey. It was a long-held dream realized. Booking it before retirement provided a significant and exciting event to anticipate. The following summer, we spent three months traveling 10,000 miles around the country in our RV. While recent times have presented challenges, we’re planning a month-long trip to visit family.
Don’t limit your bucket list to travel. As I discussed in “What’s In Your Bucket,” broaden your horizons. Develop goals across all aspects of your life – personal growth, spirituality, charitable work, and relationships. Having goals enriches retirement.
Fitness is Foundational for a Fulfilling Life
Want to know the secret to youthful vitality? Join the “Younger Next Year” movement! Fitness is paramount, and retirement is the perfect time to prioritize it. We have a finite number of years left; investing in our health extends and enhances those years. Maintaining fitness allows you to enjoy desired activities well into your later years. You now have the time, and the rewards of fitness far outweigh the effort. Join a local gym, a hiking club, or get back on your bike. You’ll make new connections, feel fantastic, and add healthy years to your retirement.
Maintaining an active lifestyle on the Bear Creek Mountain Biking Trail.
Outdoor Living Enhances Life
After decades spent largely indoors, retirement is the time to break free. I’ve spent more time outdoors in these first two years than in the previous 30 years of work, and it has profoundly improved my life. Every day begins with a 1.5-mile hike with our dogs on the trail behind our home, and ends the same way. And that’s just the start. From mountain biking and hiking to fishing, camping, running, kayaking, and gardening – life is richer when lived outdoors.
Get off the couch and embrace the outdoors.
Father and son bonding outdoors, highlighting the importance of family time in retirement.
Family Becomes Even More Central
During our working years, family events are often missed due to work demands. Retirement is the time to make family a top priority. I’m grateful my father is still with us and make it a point to visit him regularly. Similarly, we prioritize spending quality time with our daughter and granddaughter. Family is paramount, and retirement provides the opportunity to create lasting memories. Live a life with no regrets, especially when it comes to family.
Embrace New Experiences
Have you ever considered flying in an ultralight aircraft? Neither had I until recently. It was an unforgettable experience, pushing my boundaries and creating a lasting memory.
What new things are you curious about trying? What’s been holding you back? Retirement is the ideal time to explore new interests, limited only by your imagination and perhaps your comfort level with risk. Step outside your routine. You’re free from the work grind – take the opportunity to experiment and learn in areas that intrigue you.
Work can be monotonous; retirement is the time to inject excitement and novelty into your life.
Celebrate Your Retirement “Wins”
The definition of “wins” shifts in retirement. The pursuit of promotions and career milestones is behind you. Retirement is about discovering new sources of motivation and celebrating achievements that are personally meaningful. You are now in charge, setting your own agenda and defining your successes. Embrace this freedom and find joy in celebrating your unique “wins.”
You’ve earned the right to define success on your own terms.
For a writer, a “win” might be a book reaching #1 on Amazon! My way of celebrating this milestone was purchasing a vintage military jeep. It was a personal way to mark the occasion, aligning with a long-held dream and reflecting sentiments expressed in my book about choosing the right “vehicle” for retirement.
A vintage Jeep, a symbol of freedom and a personal way to celebrate a retirement “win.”
Whatever your “wins” may be, savor them and acknowledge your accomplishments in this new phase of life.
In Conclusion: The Journey Continues
Two years into retirement, and it has flown by. Reflecting on these past years, I realize how much I’ve learned and grown. As I began writing this post, I didn’t have a fixed plan, which is often my creative process. Beyond these specific lessons, retirement has reinforced my love for writing. There’s a unique satisfaction in sitting down and letting my thoughts flow onto the page.
I am, indeed, a writer.
Thank you for joining me on this journey and for reading my reflections.
Your Turn: For those already retired, what are your key learnings? If you are still working and planning for retirement, what aspects are you most anticipating? Let’s continue the conversation in the comments below.
