How can you find purpose and meaning in retirement? Some find it harder to answer that question than others. After all, retirement marks a significant life transition. It signals the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. While financial planning often takes center stage in retirement preparations, the quest to find purpose and meaning in this new phase of life is equally important. Contrary to popular belief, retirement isn’t just about leisure. It also represents an opportunity for personal growth, exploration, and fulfillment.
Remember that a successful retirement is not now and never has been defined by dollar signs. Instead, you find fulfillment where passion and purpose collide.
A Significant Life Change
While many pre-retirees don’t think about it, finding purpose and meaning in retirement is important. Many retirees spend 30 or more years in retirement. This requires some planning. You can’t simply retire one day and see what happens. The transition from working to retirement represents one of life’s big changes.
Failing to consider the softer side of retirement, which includes how to stay productive and cultivate social connections can cause you to struggle with depression and anxiety, see your physical health decline, and experience marital problems.
Work with a Life Planner
At Apprise, we believe life planning represents financial planning done right. Life planning represents a comprehensive approach to financial planning. It still takes your financial goals into account. But it does much more. It reflects your personal values, priorities, and aspirations. It aims to help you develop a clear understanding of what you want to achieve in life.
Apprise has implemented a life-planning approach, and both Phil and Megan hold the Registered Life Planner (RLP®) designation.
Focus on Your Health
Retirement represents a great time to focus on your health. if you are in poor health in retirement, you will do less. You will likely enjoy life less, too. The sooner you start focusing on your health the better. Establishing healthy habits such as exercising regularly, eating right, and following your doctor’s medical advice from the start, makes it easier to maintain them. You don’t need to train for a marathon. Find something you enjoy doing and your physical and mental health will benefit. You will feel better. You could live longer, too.
Practicing mindfulness, meditation, or yoga can also promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance your overall well-being.
Let’s look at other ways you can find purpose and meaning in retirement.
Embrace the Freedom to Explore
When you retire, you no longer are tied to a structured work schedule. That gives you the freedom to explore your passions and interests. Take this time to reflect on what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. You may want to pursue a long-time hobby, volunteer for a cause for a cause you’re passionate about, or embark on a new adventure. The possibilities are endless.
Setting personal goals can help you find purpose and meaning in retirement. Perhaps you dreamed about painting, tackling a big house project, or writing a book. During retirement, you have the chance. Verbalize your goals to others. That helps keep you accountable.
Rediscover Your Passions
Retirement offers the perfect opportunity to reconnect with activities and interests that may have taken a backseat during your working years. Your passions might include gardening, painting, playing an instrument, spending more time outside, or traveling.
Think back to your favorite childhood activity. Are there new iterations of that activity you could pursue as a senior? For example, play pickleball instead of tennis. Or elect a less strenuous form of an activity you enjoyed when you were younger.
Regardless of your passion, rekindling it can bring immense joy and fulfillment. Consider joining clubs or groups related to your interests to meet like-minded individuals and foster new connections. Doing so can help you find purpose and meaning in retirement.
Give Back Through Volunteering
Volunteering represents one of the most rewarding ways to find purpose and meaning in retirement. Contributing your time and skills to charitable organizations or community projects can positively impact others. It can also give you a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. Whether you mentor youth, serve at a local food bank, or participate in environmental conservation efforts, volunteering can give your retirement a newfound purpose and meaning.
According to research by the Mayo Clinic, Volunteers report better physical health than non-volunteers. Volunteering also leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, particularly for those 65 and older.
Volunteering can reduce stress and increase positive relaxed feelings through the release of dopamine. The sense of meaning and appreciation that result can bring feelings of meaning and appreciation – both given and received. This can have a stress-reducing effect.
Create Structure
Consider starting a new morning routine, including a brisk walk, yoga, or some other form of exercise. If you live near your grandchildren, arrange to pick them up from school a couple of times a week. Engage in sports like golf, tennis, pickleball, cycling, or hiking, with local clubs and leagues. Putting commitments on your calendar helps give structure to your week.
When you work, your projects have deadlines and schedules. That stops when you stop working. Replacing work routines with new routines can help keep your retirement from ending in disappointment.
Pursue Lifelong Learning
Retirement offers the perfect opportunity to engage in lifelong learning and intellectual stimulation. Was there a subject you wish you learned more about when you were younger? Perhaps you want to read some classic literature. You could enroll in courses at a local community college, attend workshops and seminars, or explore online learning platforms. Such continued education can keep your mind sharp and engaged.
Delve into topics that intrigue you, whether related to history, art, science, or technology. Consider learning new recipes and culinary techniques by taking cooking classes or attending workshops with fellow food enthusiasts.
The pursuit of knowledge knows no age limits. It can also enrich your life in countless ways and help you find purpose and meaning in retirement. A U.K. study found that lack of regular mental stimulation can take a heavy toll on cognitive function, speeding up memory loss and dementia.
Cultivate Meaningful Relationships
Retirement provides an opportunity to nurture and deepen relationships with family, friends, and community members. Spend quality time with loved ones, engage in meaningful conversations, and create lasting memories together.
Perhaps you can start a lunch group with friends or join a card club. If you join social groups or clubs, you can forge new connections and expand your social circle. This can foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
Adopt a Growth Mindset
Even though you stopped working, having a growth mindset can help you find purpose and meaning in retirement. A growth mindset means looking at possibilities rather than limitations. When we get older, we sometimes stop dreaming. Rather than saying, “I can’t,” or “I’m too old,” maintain a curious mind. This can allow you to continually learn and grow.
Reflect on Your Legacy
Retirement offers a chance to reflect on your life’s journey and contemplate the legacy you wish to leave behind. Consider how you want to be remembered and the impact you want to have on future generations. Whether it’s through philanthropic endeavors, sharing your wisdom and experiences with others, or leaving a legacy of love and kindness, retirement provides an opportunity to leave a lasting imprint on the world.
You can also regularly share stories with people you care about. Storytelling also helps you pass along family memories and histories, especially if you’re connecting with a younger grandchild or relative. It helps to feel like your stories will live on in future generations.
Concluding Thoughts – Find Purpose and Meaning in Retirement
Retirement is not the end of the road but rather the beginning of a new chapter filled with opportunities for growth, exploration, and fulfillment. By focusing on your health, embracing the freedom to explore, rediscovering your passions, giving back through volunteering, creating structure, pursuing lifelong learning, cultivating meaningful relationships, adopting a growth mindset, and reflecting on your legacy, you can find purpose and meaning in retirement like never before. Seize this precious time to create a life that is rich in meaning, purpose, and joy.
Remember, retirement is not the end of the journey; it’s the beginning of a new adventure.
Are you unsure about how to find purpose and meaning in retirement? If you would like some help with your financial life plan, please contact us. We would be happy to help.
If you would like to talk to us about creating your life plan as well as other financial topics, including your investments, saving for college, and/or saving for retirement, please complete our contact form or schedule a call or a virtual meeting via Zoom. We will be in touch.
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Phil Weiss founded Apprise Wealth Management. He started his financial services career in 1987 working as a tax professional for Deloitte & Touche. For the past 25+ years, he has worked extensively in the areas of financial planning and investment management. Phil is both a CFA charterholder and a CPA.
Located just north of Baltimore, Apprise works with clients face-to-face locally and can also work virtually regardless of location.
