Tips for a Happy Retirement: Planting the Foundation for a Joyful Retirement
For many of us, the idea of retiring is alluring. Imagine being free from the constraints of the job and having the freedom to do what you choose, whenever you like. But why hold off on doing the things you love until after retirement?
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When we retire, we finally have the time and freedom to pursue our passions, whether they be travelling, picking up new skills, taking up hobbies, or simply spending time with the people we love.
Waiting until we retire has the drawback of delaying activities that could bring us happiness now. When we say goodbye to our working years, it will be a lot easier to transition if we explore what brings us joy today and cultivate those skills.
Something To Retire To
Retirement marks a significant change in our lifestyle, and it’s normal for that change to be a little difficult. Many of us get a strong sense of identity and self-perception from our work. Leaving our job can have a negative impact on how we perceive ourselves. Oftentimes, it feels an empty spot in our lives when we retire from work.
Because of this, the saying “have something to retire to” is often used to encourage people to consider their post-work lifestyle rather than just looking forward to retiring from something.
It can be a good idea to plan how your current definition of yourself and what fulfils you outside of work will play out after retirement.
Make Time Today To Pursue Your Passion
Even if it can be challenging to find time when you are still employed, you can start small by dedicating a specific period of time each week or by making time for hobbies or activities that won’t require so many hours.
If you want to travel much once you retire, think about enrolling in a quick course in the
country you’ve been dying to see in order to get ready for that trip.
Alternatively, if you’ve been thinking about writing a novel for a while, dedicate some time today to developing a structure and getting started. Who knows, you’ll be writing your second book by the time you retire! Are you eager to work out more? Get enrolled in a gym and establish a schedule; even if you can just visit it a few times per week, that’s still a good place to start.
Learning new habits and abilities takes time, so begin by focusing on the topics you want to learn more about. When you have more time to dedicate to these pursuits after retirement, it will be easier to make the move. You also have the opportunity to test things out and decide if you want to invest time and energy in them by starting today.
Building Relationships With Those You Care About
Being with people you enjoy spending time with is a path to a happy and fulfilling retirement. Similarly, spending time doing the activities you love is just so important.
Consider the individuals you like to hang out with, and cultivate those connections immediately. It will bring you happiness and the advantages of those relationships today, in addition to making the transition smoother when you retire. You have plenty of opportunity in life to meet new people!
Even The Most Carefully Thought Out Plans Can Change
It’s critical to have an open mind about how you envision your retirement. Remember that not everyone chooses to retire at their own terms. Some are forced to retire earlier than anticipated or in a different way than expected because of illness, taking care of a family member, or decisions or circumstances at work.Because of this, it’s important to live life to the fullest now. Embrace what brings you joy, and appreciate the moment since you’ll be preparing yourself for retirement, which may be far off or just around the corner.
About Lan Nguyen
Lan is the Founder and Chief Strategist at Success Accounting Group, Melbourne based CA firm. In a matter of short 8 years she has built up a reputable Chartered accounting firm with 3 offices and a team of 6 professional accountants and support team members. Her mission is to provide Innovative and Strategic Financial advice to help her customers make smarter financial decisions today for a brighter future.
Success Accounting Group is for established business owners who would like help to grow a sustained business. As a business owner you understand what drives your business success with our accounting team taking care of the rest.