Transitioning from working life to retirement is a big change for anyone, no matter what your plans for retirement are.
But give yourself permission to pause. Relax. Unwind. Breathe.
After a lifetime of working, you are going to need time to learn how to slow down. And make sure to not let the expectations of others, or of yourself, get in the way of giving yourself this time.
Here are my top tips on how you can transition from work into retirement more smoothly.
Set goals
Setting personal goals is a powerful tool to help you find purpose and direction in life, and help with the transition into retirement. It’s important to understand that your retirement goals are going to be different from the goals that you had when you were working, or the personal goals you set for yourself previously in your life.
Create a routine
We all need some form of structure in our lives, and having a job creates that structure. So, without it, you need to develop a routine and create your ‘new normal’. The need for structure doesn’t go away just because you’ve retired, so having a routine helps provide this. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be a strict one – the days of alarm clocks and long commutes are done!
Get Social
Socializing is such an important part of a happy retirement, and social connections are proven to considerably benefit both mental and physical health. When you leave your job, you will need to replace the daily social interaction that you had at work with other connections. This might be with existing friends and family members, but also take time to make new connections in new social circles.
Prioritize health
You should aim to stay fit and healthy throughout your retirement, and it is also such a great time to develop a new habit. Why not start hiking in nature, join a cycling club, take a yoga class, go swimming or take time for gardening. Exercising regularly will keep you fit, reduce risk of disease and improve both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Discover something new
Start by writing a list of interests or activities that have always interested you or maybe you have always wanted to try, but never dared to or never had the time – and do something new! This is a great way of stepping out of your comfort zone and discovering new passions, purpose and experiences.
Have fun!
You’ve spent your entire life working hard and most likely haven’t had time to do everything you’ve wanted to. How do you want to spend that well-earned free time? What are your dreams for retirement? Do you have hobbies and interests you want to pursue? Thinking about how you want to spend your time in retirement and what will bring your life joy, is essential for a smoother transition from work into retirement. So have some fun, you’ve earned it.
If you want to learn more about transitioning into retirement or how to find your purpose in the next chapter of your life, my coaching program The Curated Retirement could be the right step you need to take. You can find out more here, or feel free to get in touch with me directly and I’ll be happy to answer any of your concerns.