The question pre-retirees don’t ask|the challenge of retirement|64PLUS
How can you build shape into your retired life in a way that has meaning for YOU? In this article 64PLUS founder Dr Jon Glass discusses why having challenges in retired life can help answer that question.
I have a retired friend, roughly the same age as me, who has a passion for learning languages.
He is already fluent in German, Spanish and Italian. Today he told me that he plans to study Portuguese.
Why would someone who is retired choose to take on another language?
Part of his answer is simple: he loves learning them. He has an ear for languages and sometimes travels overseas to take an intensive course.
He also hopes that continuing to exercise his brain may help protect him against dementia. I cannot tell you whether the medical evidence supports that belief, and I make no claim to expertise in that area.
But perhaps there is another benefit that can matter just as much.
Learning a language gives him something to work towards. It demands regular effort. It also provides a sense of achievement, which can become harder to find in retirement.
It does not have to be a language. It might be music, gardening, painting or learning how to use unfamiliar technology. The particular topic matters less than having something that gives you the satisfaction of making progress.
Having goals in retired life will generate that wonderful feeling of satisfaction that comes with effort and progress. You experienced that when you worked didn’t you? On the other hand, to not have goals of this kind may lead to you feeling stuck in retirement. The answer won’t emerge from a checklist, as it’s a decision that will engage your feelings and emotions. What do you think might work for you?
If any of this sounds familar, you don’t have to work it out alone. Book an obligation-free 15 minute call by texting 0409 116 766.
No pressure, just an honest conversation about your circumstances.
Dr Jon Glass founder of 64PLUS and author of the book Finding Joy in Retirement.
Retirement Specialist and Coach with 12 years experience based in Sydney, Australia.