{"id":1644,"date":"2020-01-02T19:06:31","date_gmt":"2020-01-02T19:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/?p=1644"},"modified":"2020-09-06T19:53:01","modified_gmt":"2020-09-06T19:53:01","slug":"adjusting-to-life-after-retirement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/yourmorningcupofinspiration\/2020\/01\/adjusting-to-life-after-retirement.html","title":{"rendered":"Adjusting to Life After Retirement"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"life<\/a>
Photo Courtesy of Pexels.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Life after retirement is what most working people dream about.\u00a0 Most folks want it to come as soon as possible.\u00a0 As a result, we buy books about how to retire early.\u00a0 We see financial planners to figure out how to make it happen quickly.\u00a0 Everyone wants to retire now.<\/em><\/p>\n

However, the dream of retirement is very different from the reality.\u00a0 Our lives change dramatically when we retire.\u00a0 We have to change how we approach each day and even how we view ourselves. \u00a0Those are difficult adjustments to make.<\/p>\n

But if you approach them the right way, your retirement years can be the best years of your life.\u00a0 Consider the following ways to positively adjust to your life after retirement.<\/p>\n

Reuse Your Skills<\/strong><\/h3>\n

During your work years, you spend a great deal of time building up a skill set.\u00a0 As a result, by the time you retire, you have an impressive set of professional skills that few possess.\u00a0 Don\u2019t let those talents simply fall by the wayside.<\/p>\n

While you may no longer wish to work full time, that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t keep using your talents in retirement.\u00a0 For instance, you may want to work part-time to continue using those hard-earned skills.\u00a0 I know retirees who work two days a week in their field of expertise.\u00a0 They then spend the other five days doing other activities that they enjoy.<\/p>\n

Or, you may want to bless the world with your skills by offering them for free to a charitable organization.\u00a0 At our church, we have a retired pastor who offers a Wednesday night Bible study.\u00a0 She is in her 70s, but she still wants to use her many years of education and pastoral experience to serve others.<\/p>\n

Life After Retirement Will Require New Social Networks<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Work provides us with a built-in social group.\u00a0 We spend 8 hours a day with our colleagues, aka our \u201cwork friends.\u201d\u00a0 My mother worked for a university for over 20 years, and she used to say that she was closer to her co-workers than to her own family.\u00a0 When we retire, it is hard to give up those wonderful relationships.<\/p>\n

So, in retirement we have to make a conscious effort to create new social groups.\u00a0 That isn\u2019t easy.\u00a0 One way to do that is to become involved in either a religious or charitable organization.\u00a0 For instance, at our church, the retired people get together during the week for Bible Study, knitting clubs and luncheons.<\/p>\n

Another approach is to take classes.\u00a0 My mother studies German once a week.\u00a0 She has been doing so for many years with the same group of people.\u00a0 That has provided her with a nice, weekly social group.<\/p>\n

You also can make new friends by going every day to your local gym.\u00a0 My husband goes to the gym regularly, and he has gotten to know so many people there.\u00a0 He can tell you just about everyone\u2019s back story!<\/p>\n

I know another lady who invites the older people in her apartment community over to play cards once a week.\u00a0 Playing simple card or board games is a great way to get to know people.\u00a0 Moreover, when you entertain people in your home, you do a good deed!<\/p>\n

Find Your Ikigai<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Ikigai is a Japanese concept which means \u201ca reason for being.\u201d\u00a0 You could also think of it as your life purpose.\u00a0 When we are younger, our ikigai tends to be connected to our jobs or to raising children.\u00a0 We are motivated to get up in the morning in order to pursue our careers, earn money and care for others.<\/p>\n

Once we retire, our responsibilities change. \u00a0Our children likely are grown and no longer need as much support and guidance from us.\u00a0 And our financial needs are taken care of by our retirement savings and social security.\u00a0 So, our \u201creason for being,\u201d likewise, needs to change.<\/p>\n

There are different ways to find your ikigai in retirement.\u00a0 For example, one person may have a very special grandchild, and his or her retirement ikigai is to help raise that child.\u00a0 Some folks may have a passion for creating, so their ikigai is art, writing, cooking, music or gardening.\u00a0 Another person’s ikigai may be their profession.\u00a0 As a result, they continue to work on a part-time basis through retirement.<\/p>\n

We all need to have an ikigai, a reason for being, especially<\/em> when we retire.\u00a0 Now that you are retired, take some time to reflect on what yours might be.\u00a0 When you have a sense of purpose, that will give a positive shape to your days.<\/p>\n

During Your Life After Retirement, You Will Need to Give More Attention to Your Health<\/strong><\/h3>\n

We typically retire at an age when our bodies are getting older and need more care.\u00a0 Some of the extra time that you now have should be spent on caring for you!<\/p>\n

You will feel better through retirement if you institute a more vigorous exercise regime.\u00a0 Join a gym.\u00a0 Take fitness classes.\u00a0 The stronger and more agile you are, the more you will enjoy your retirement years.<\/p>\n

Your mental health also should be a priority.\u00a0 When we retire, it can be hard on us mentally.\u00a0 We may have family members or friends who pass away.\u00a0 Even adjusting to the retirement lifestyle can be difficult.\u00a0 As a result, it helps to have a spiritual practice to care for our minds.<\/p>\n

If you are religious, attending weekly services is a good way to maintain your emotional health.\u00a0 Or you might start taking meditation classes.\u00a0 And reading good, positive, spiritual literature every day is a great way to keep your mind moving in a positive direction.<\/p>\n

Adjusting to life after retirement can be challenging.\u00a0 But the retirement years can be your very best years, if you approach them correctly.\u00a0 Consider using some of the above approaches to make your life after retirement a pleasure.\u00a0 (To read about ways to prepare for retirement, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Email: meerabelle@meerabelledey.com<\/strong><\/p>\n

To receive my free e-book, “The Confidence Course,” and my weekly newsletter, visit meerabelledey.com<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Life after retirement is what most working people dream about.\u00a0 Most folks want it to come as soon as possible.\u00a0 As a result, we buy books about how to retire early.\u00a0 We see financial planners to figure out how to make it happen quickly.\u00a0 Everyone wants to retire now. However, the dream of retirement is…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":593,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1644","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nAdjusting to Life After Retirement - Your Morning Cup of Inspiration<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Adjusting to life after reitrement can be challenging. 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