People regard retirement in different ways. Those who have saved or invested sufficient to be able to make the most of their retirement in style normally look forward to giving up the daily grind, whereas those who have not saved are usually not looking forward to it. However, there is another group of individuals who span both of these classes who do not want to retire either.
It is not because they do not have enough money, it is because they are frightened that they will not have enough to do. This is a real pity, but it is normally evidence of an over-concentration on one’s career and not enough other interests outside work.
Here are a couple of pointers to help you prepare yourself to enjoy your retirement.
Do not treat retirement as the end of your useful life. Yes, it probably was for your father or grandfather, but it does not have to be for you because people live longer these days. Your grandfather probably only had six or seven years after retirement, but you could have twenty or more. If you still want to work, you can, either for someone else or for yourself.
Widen your circle of friends and interests or hobbies. Five to ten years before you retire, begin an interest that has absolutely nothing to do with your job - archery, ballooning, deep sea fishing, marathon running, bridge or embroidery, anything, but be prepared to fill the gap that losing the nine to five will make.
Numerous retirees become far less lively than they were while working. This not good, so plan to take up a replacement activity like gardening, rambling, swimming, sailing or golfing. In fact, anything to keep those pounds from piling on just at the time of your life when they can do the most damage. If you do not like the idea of taking up an lively hobby, modify your diet and walk for thirty minutes each morning and every evening.
If you do not want to start a new career or a new business, consider giving some of your free time to a good cause. You could visit the elderly or the lonely in hospital. You could visit lonely individuals in the community or you could teach computers or gardening to those who would like to learn. Join the Women’s Institute, Victim Support, visit prisoners or help out at one of the local institutions.
Learn something new. Have you always wanted to be able to play the guitar, speak Spanish or use the Net? Well, now is your opportunity. There are usually day and night classes in these and other topics.
Travel more. All right, you might not have a lot of money, but you do have a bus pass (in many countries, anyway). You could set up a fortnight’s holiday using your bus pass for daily travel from guest house to guest house. You could write a book or simply read all those books that you have not had time to read over the last fifty years.
Owen Jones, the writer of this piece writes on many subjects but is now concerned with Ways To Enjoy Retirement. If you want to read more, please go over to our website entitled Retirement.