Turning 50 makes anyone eligible to join AARP—a benefit not all are wild about since it reminds us that we are getting old and approaching retirement. While we know it’s inevitable, we’d rather not dwell on the topic of aging for many reasons—not the least of which is that some of us cannot imagine our lives without our work. Even with its demands and frustrations, work provides structure, purpose and a sense of identity to our lives.
In spite of concerns that retirement will leave a void filled by a hectic life in the work world, many people, earlier than ever, are having conversations about when to submit their names for the proverbial mantel clock or gold watch.
Perhaps it’s the idea of being in control of our days, accountable to ourselves, and free of other’s rules and policies that allows us to broach the subject at all. Predictably, somewhere in the conversation looms the question: “What will I do after the novelty of ‘my time is my own’ fades?”
With the 60’s now considered to be the “new middle age”, we cannot look to the generation before us for clues on how to structure our retirement. Our golden years will look quite different from our parent's, thanks to our longer life expectancy and higher standards for quality of life. As difficult and confusing as it might be, we must ask ourselves this question until we see glimpses of possibilities.
Here are a few questions that might help guide your conversation about your life in retirement:
1. What three words describe how you'd like your retirement years to be?
2. What do you long to do that you’ve not had the time, resources or courage to do?
3. Is there something that is incomplete in your life that you want or need to finish?
4. List three things that are the highest priorities in your life as you approach retirement. Does your life reflect the importance they hold? If not, what could you do to better align your life with your priorities?
5. If work required fewer hours of your life, what activities would you like to pursue for the first year? Beyond that?
6. What are your fears about retirement? What are your desires? Make sure your attention and energy is focused on your desires.
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"Get Beyond the Midlife Crisis: Understanding Life and Work in the Second Half of LIfe", a presentation by Barbara at the Women’s Health Expo, May 19 at Goodall Hospital, Sanford, Maine.
One space remaining! Women's Retreat in Southern France, led by Barbara for the eighth year, September 23-29.
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