Good luck trying to define it.
In our experience (as financial advisors) there is no consensus. It’s different for everyone and that’s what why every retirement glidepath is unique.
My retirement was challenging and uncomfortable. It’s taken me nearly two years to settle in, as much of what made my life meaningful was my working career. So, being Uncle Mike, I’d like to share what I’ve learned, from crossing over into retirement, and into Geezerhood.
Take a Gap Year
As you jump off your carousel, don’t be in a hurry to jump onto the next one. It’s time to reflect on your legacy and define what comes next. For me, it was helpful to retire from the six non-profit boards and committees that filled my calendar. Having no deadlines assured time to consider future alternatives.
Set Goals (but not right away)
Reading up on what the experts say regarding the physical and mental stresses in retirement, I wrote down these goals:
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy (maintain appropriate body weight)
- Assure adequate sleep
- Expand/maintain social connections
See Where Life Takes You
These last two years of retirement were revealing, not what I expected, but that’s why a gap year is helpful. One day I sat down at the computer and started reflecting on my life. One year later, I ended up with a 200-page memoir and 75 poems.
Poetry? I started to memorize poetry, mostly hoping to maintain my mental acquity. But then I decided to write some poems. Most of them relate to getting old and seeing the humor in it. Here’s an example:
Eighty Years of Progress
Of all the creations I have seen,
like microwaves and Polio vaccine,
My favorites in life, I had always said,
were TV Remotes and Right Turn on Red.
Now with arthritis, I’ve changed my views.
My number one favorite is Velcro for shoes.
Interesting, with Millennials, we need to explain that battery powered TV remotes weren’t in general use until late in the 1970s, and Right Turn on Red wasn’t in general use until the 1980s.
If you are with family or friends and you’re looking for the perfect toast, here is my favorite (author unknown) which I also memorized:
The spirits had shown Ebenezer Scrooge that it was wrong to cheat and to steal.
But I say the spirits were mistaken!
We must cheat!
We must steal!
We must drink!
We must cheat death,
We must steal time to be with loved ones, and
We must drink a toast to all the joys and happiness of this holiday season.
Cheers!
Whether you say Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, or Bah Humbug, here’s wishing you all the best of this holiday season.
Sincerely,
Mike Arnow, Retired
… and the not retired Broadview team.
The views expressed represent are opinions only and should not be relied upon as investment advice. The above commentary has been obtained from sources we believe are reliable, but we cannot guarantee their accuracy or completeness. The information contained in this document does not constitute the rendering of legal, accounting, or other professional advice or opinions on specific facts or matters.
Retired image from www.dreamstime.com