Do you have a creative retirement plans?
A retirement plan is so much more than living a financially safe stage of our lives.
While financial independence is one of the most critical parts of it, there’s certainly a lot more than that. This issue about retirement plans is focused on non-financial aspect and thinking outside the box.
You’re prepared for financial safety from the day you received your first paycheque. But, have you thought or planned about the emotional and psychological readiness for retirement?
Besides, you may have worked with the same organisation and colleagues for years.
- How will you feel to be away from them?
You have skills and experiences earned from years of service.
- How will you continue to share your wisdom?
You may have many priorities.
- How will you manage your lifestyles, channel and accomplish your everyday goals?
Retirement is not an end, it is a new beginning to experience something fulfilling.
- How can you preserve your family history?
- Do you need to be tech savvy to begin?
- What would she prefer to call this phase of her life and what word am I introducing here?
What about a gap year not a sabbatical?
The only way to know how it feels is by feeling it.
You don’t want to work after retirement because that’s not retirement. You want to stay active, challenge your learning and be creative. Starting with a gap year allows you to feel what the new chapter of your life would be and then plan for a realistic retirement. That’s why I said not a sabbatical when you could still be writing or doing something related to work.
How about visiting your son or a daughter living away from you?
How about living a few months on a caravan and travelling across different states or doing something relaxing?
These are a few thoughts to lighten up your neurons. C’mon let’s brainstorm.
- Think of the top five things you can do to design a creative retirement plans.
- Write them down into the order of your preference.
- What can you do now that can take you one step closer to living those plans?
So, are you ready to write a memorable chapter of your life?
Are you ready to take a gap year?
A gap year - what will I gain from that?
Improved relationships
Your friendship with colleagues may change but your most important relationship can significantly improve.
Unity comes from willingness to understand one another. People have reasons for their behaviours. Being able to be close to your partner and communicating with your highest intentions improves your connection with them. Communicating your reason for being helps to explore and accept the ideas. It is a proof that even with differences, there is room to become one.
As you allow yourself to embrace the differences you allow yourself to be love, be able to love others and get along with others. Recognise that there is equal value in each other’s contributions and to where you are now in your realtionships and companionship.
Revisit your hobby
From bathroom singer to connecting with your inner child, we all have something that we have always wanted to expand on. What’s yours? Consider music, art, creative writing, or online learning and development.
Did you hear how Carole started her journey as a family historian?
Come together with your siblings, learn music and form a family band….go wild by jamming up on weekends, record your music and leave memories for your children and grandchildren.
Some other things you can try are:
- Start or join a book club
- Translate religious, spiritual and ethical books into common languages
- Launch a YouTube channel and share your knowledge
- Volunteer
- Become a language instructor
- Become a Life Coach
- Grow your garden
- Write a book
- Start your consultancy
Stay healthy and happy
This one is obvious but not enough for many of us who tend to take things for granted. Bring your focus back to you and indulge in self-care. You’ve spent all your life thinking about others and serving others. While you continue to become a skilled helper, shift your focus to you and find yourself first.
Assess how you feel each morning. Research shows that the early morning hours are the usual times that shows you the right signals of how your body is feeling.
Determine if you feel anything different when you get out of the bed. Also compare the effects of food choices on your body.
There is a plethora of research on the risks of rising and getting out of bed too quickly that can result in a stroke or a heart attack. One of the things I learned and started doing at a very young age is chanting a mantra before getting out of bed each morning. This not only limits this risk but also helps me to set my intention for the day and express the gratitude.
समुद्रवसने देवि पर्वतस्तनमण्डले ।
विष्णुपत्नि नमस्तुभ्यं पादस्पर्शं क्षमस्वमे ॥
Samudravasane devi parvatsthanmandale
Vishnupatni namastubhyam padparsham shyamaswame
Meaning: (Oh Mother Earth) The Devi who is wrapped by ocean as her garment and mountains as her bosom, who is the consort of Sri Vishnu, I bow to you; Please excuse me for touching you with my feet.
There are endless opportunities to get creative with your retirement plans and endless benefits that can come out of it.
At the end of the end it is about what suits you the best and what can you do without making a substantial investment.
So, are you ready to plan a creative retirement? What does that look like? What can you start doing today that will take you one step closer to living your dream in the near future?
Interested to explore how you can design a creative retirement plans and leave your legacy?
You have too many years of experience and expertise and don't know where to begin?
You've some inspirational stories to share and need some helpful tips to get started?
Why not start with these 5 Helpful Personal Branding Tips?
