Those of us who have passed through the portal moving us into retirement understand that “change” is a big part of adjusting to new life styles, new responsibilities (or lack of), new rhythms. A recent article I read on “stress and depression” in retirement counseled readers to “embrace change” – don’t fight it, accept it and make it work for you.
This post on change is prompted by a quote I recently read in a novel. I love good writing and those who are what I can only call “wordsmiths” – who understand how to put words together so the reader enters the plot and can visualize the actions and feel the emotions. As I read the words “I’ve shrunk myself down to be what everyone else thought I should be,” I asked myself if I had done that at any point in my life. Lots of seasons popped up as we all know parents and spouses adjust to all sorts of demands and it’s actually quite easy to slip into a life that you become “what everyone else thought I should be.”
And as is most often the case, that quote led me to an assessment of how I’m choosing to live in my retirement. This season brings more free time and more choices, but possibly less financial means and decline in health. Time to learn new things, but less energy and fewer friends to learn with. Am i allowing retirement circumstances to whittle me down or am I viewing it from the perspective of “change is good, and maybe even great!
I’m excited to say I ended up on the side of change is good and make it work for you! Change “for” good is good – I’m not asking for change to take me backwards, but change that moves me forward. Keep learning new things, finding new activities, ways to serve family and community, spiritual growth, experimenting with new ingredients in the kitchen, taking walks spontaneously, finding new music, journaling to track your thoughts and prayers, taking advantage of good weather. Don’t let old habits “shrink yourself down” in your retirement. Sometimes it’s good to slough off the predictable and find something new! It’s OK if some things fade into the past and it’s also OK to take remnants with you to work into your future.
But in the midst of advocating for us to embrace change in retirement, I dare not say change values and good habits that bless your life and bring goodness to those around you. Rock steady with what is working well, hold tightly to what you believe to be true, don’t waver in a storm and let people see a light in you that attracts them to the good in this world. As I keep saying, we still have so much to give to the world at large, to those we love, to our communities. We are chocked full of experience and wisdom that we should share for the benefit of others.
So optimize these days by embracing change that improves an already good version of you in retirement, leave the thought of just “existing” through this season. Anticipate that retirement can hold a life of unbridled enthusiasm, healthy redirection, and days where we are free to flourish and thrive in new and unexpected ways.
Don't Waste Your Retirement 