Retirement Needs a Rebrand

With increasing frequency, I am hearing clients muse on what life will be like after they step out from the role or career that they’ve had for years. For ease of discussion, I guess we can say that they are each imagining ‘retirement’. That word, however, seems limiting or old-fashioned.

As I searched for another term, the thesaurus led me completely astray – words like desolation, concealment, loneliness came up. Even the synonym for a retired person was an elderly person! None of this lands right for me. I tried to think of a clever and accurate term, but haven’t found that rebrand yet. Likely each of us should name this chapter for ourselves and our unique perspective. For now, let’s agree that I’m talking about what you do after you stop doing what you’ve been doing. To be honest, this sounds like most life transitions!

This next chapter might involve continuing to work – maybe in a new way, or perhaps some kind of reinvention, or even fresh creation. And it is likely some combination of activity – a portfolio. This approach might include time spent in service, paid contribution, connection, well-being. The possibilities on the other side of this doorway are many.

On a day when you find yourself daydreaming about this big step away from 35-40 years of workday routine, the novelty of an empty calendar is likely alluring. Imagining all that empty space, fresh air, drinks with umbrellas, like some prolonged vacation. And then perhaps, if you get a little more real with the image, do you start to get a slight nervous feeling? I know that for some of us, there is a follow-on moment when you ask yourself, ‘hmmmm actually what will I do all day every day and on repeat?’ Good groundhog day or bad? ‘Wait a sec, who am I if I’m not doing that ‘stuff’ I’ve always done?’ ‘I’ve always known this was something to plan for, and yet I’m not sure what it looks like?’ Or simply, ‘uh oh, I don’t like golf’.

These questions are big and hard and, as a result, they can be tempting to skip. Makes sense. I do hear a lot of folks say that their starting point is a review of the finances – doing an objective analysis of retirement readiness. That review is important, in fact, it is essential. However, there’s no way to fully evaluate ‘readiness’ without knowing what you are aiming for. Even if the accounts overflow, a great financial advisor still can’t tell youwhat your dreams look like. Only you can ‘do the math’ on that piece.

So now I must ask – do you know what you want life to look like through that doorway? While it might seem overwhelming or unsure, I believe you do know. As I say about most things – that clarity is accessible – just below the surface – if we give a little space and some good questions to surface it all. Here’s some to think about:What have you most enjoyed about your path so far – and what do you want to continue? What’s top on your current values list? How do health, fun, relationships, challenge….(and more and more) fit in? What would make for a great day? What have you put ‘on hold’ that you’d like to give more air? Which of your many talents do you want to lean on, or use differently?

You know that I LOVE to have these kinds of conversations and to help you get set up for a meaningful and fulfilling shift when the time is right. Let’s talk!