The days of retiring from work and doing nothing are over. The average retirement age is now 58, with people often living into their 90s. Do the math, folks! "Retirement" now constitutes fully a third of our lives. That's a lot of time to sit around with no plan, or nothing to do. Most people spend more time planning a two-week vacation than they do the rest of their lives.
One of my friends was a middle school teacher for 30 years. Now teachers, like many professionals, just live for the day they retire. Barry did the same, not really thinking much about how his work fulfilled so many needs - the need to socialize with similar folks, the need to feel useful and with purpose. Teaching certainly structured his time for 30 years and motivated his mind and interests. When he simply stopped, he was bereft. All that work had given him was gone and aside from a pension, he had no plan.
As Barry and I talked we explored his attitudes about retirement, work, aging, health, usefulness. We looked at his hopes, dreams, talents, and skills. We talked about how he wanted to use the vast amount of time that stretched before him. Ultimately Barry fashioned a relaxed and meaningful lifestyle. He signed up to substitute teach in various local school districts, giving him the option of saying "no" to work on any particular day. For fun and extra income he drove a taxi a few days a week! He made physical exercise a priority and began planning camping expeditions with his wife.
Have you known retirees who fill their time with idle busyness, creating insubstantial "projects" just to fill the long hours of the day? Do you know anyone who feels bored, restless, depressed, or useless in retirement? What a shame that we waste the incredible resources our "elders" bring to the table.
My own retirement journey was rather wild indeed. At the age of 48 when my youngest son graduated high school I quit my job, sold my house and possessions, and headed to Colorado to be a cowgirl. This was a dream that had been in my heart all my life, and how wonderful that it blossomed! However, after four years of working with horses in the summer and on a ski mountain in the winter I felt the need to do more. I volunteer to mentor teenagers in my community and I'm looking at new career options. Instead of a fearful time of uselessness, idle busyness, or boredom, retirement should and can be the greatest adventure of your life.
What are your special talents? What has brought you success? Happiness? What has given your life its greatest meaning? These are the areas we should be developing as we gain more time, wisdom, and freedom. WORK doesn't have to be a "four-letter word" and neither does "retirement." Let's learn to define ourselves not by what we do for a paycheck but by what inspires us to our best selves.
Phyllis Coletta is a retired attorney and high school teacher, currently an entrepreur, writer, wrangler, and EMT. In addition to working on a ski mountain she coaches other "pre-tired" or retired people on how to plan and execute a meaningful life. See http://www.glorydaysretirement.com or write phyllis@glorydaysretirement.com
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