The 3 Things Seniors Should Focus on Beyond Retirement
To most people, life after retirement looks like endless freedom and blissful days sipping cocktails on sun-kissed tropical beaches. This may be true to some extent, but only if we are fully prepared for retirement.
Much attention is focused on retirement planning through savings, investments, and pensions plans. However, while money is vital, it will not buy you happiness or contentment throughout your golden years.
In this article, we show you the three most important things you should focus on in retirement and how to achieve them:
• Purpose • Meaning • Happiness
Firstly, let’s examine why even the most financially secure retirees end up depressed and disillusioned and what you can do to avoid the same plight.
Why Retirement Can Be a Psychological Disaster
Very few people are ready for the adjustments required for happy living in retirement. This can result in devastating psychological and mental health problems.
After getting used to a sleep-deprived and tightly choreographed work schedule for decades, most retirees find it hard to adjust to their newfound freedom. Here are reasons why retirement can be a challenge:
Financial Struggles: With limited savings and pensions, retirement requires cutting back on expenditure. Health problems and divorce can also add to your financial burden in retirement.
Depression: Studies show retirees are at risk of depression more than other adults are. Adjusting to entirely new routines can be tough on your mental health.
Loss of Identity: Our identities are usually defined by our careers. Most people feel lost and struggle to feel useful in society without them. Loneliness: We spend most of our lives with workmates and friends from work. Retirement can sever these bonds leading to loneliness.
Lack of Purpose: For most people, their life purpose was taking care of family and succeeding at work. Without parental duties and job responsibilities, retirement life can feel meaningless.
What Every Senior Should Focus on in Retirement
As mentioned earlier, three factors are vital to a good retirement life: purpose, meaning, and happiness. While each has a different meaning, they are all interrelated and share the same steps to achievement. So, what does each stand for, and how do you achieve them?
Purpose
The purpose is the thing that drives and energizes you. Purpose makes you want to get up every morning. Having a purpose in life is the first step in achieving a happy retirement.
Most of us derive purpose from our careers. But once we retire, we no longer have our jobs to lend purpose to our lives. We, therefore, have to find purpose elsewhere once we retire.
To discover your purpose, ask yourself: • What drives you? • What are you willing to sacrifice for? • Who do you want to help? • How do you want to give back to society? • What do you want to change in society?
Meaning
Our lives on earth are finite. Why are we here on earth? And to what end should we live our lives?
Family and career are a source of meaning for many people. In retirement, we must find a new meaning to our golden years that will determine the reason and purpose for living.
To find meaning, we must acknowledge our gifts and talents and channel them into helping others and making society a better place.
Happiness
Happiness is how you gauge the state of your own life, and it has nothing to do with your wealth or success in life. Happiness is a personal assessment of your own life and cannot be defined by material achievements or other people.
Happiness is hugely influenced by how we live with others and relate to the world around us.
How to Achieve Purpose, Meaning, and Happiness After Retirement
- Focus on Things That Make You Happy
Retirement gives you a chance to reward yourself for a life of hard work and sacrifices. With the free time retirement affords, engage in pursuits that appeal to your wellbeing and happiness.
Perhaps you love fishing, going to the theatre, playing board games, or sitting in the park. Make time for these things to give your days meaning and satisfaction.
- Give Back Through Volunteering
Many great causes need a helping hand through activism, outreach, and other programs. Volunteering is an excellent source of purpose and meaning for many people, young and old.
Retirement allows you to join a cause and dedicate your time and energy to helping others and making your community a better place.
- Work Part-time
Many retirees have found a new purpose and meaning in life by working part-time. Just because you are retired doesn’t mean you shouldn’t or cannot work. Retirees can be highly qualified and with decades of experience in a particular field. Contributing to your field part-time through mentoring, consulting, or advisory services can renew your purpose and meaning and lead to happiness.
- Exercise
Your health is essential, especially as you age and become more susceptible to ill-health. Remaining active through walking, jogging, hiking, or other physical activity can significantly enhance your health.
Exercise is a great way to prevent depression and feelings of loneliness. It also cultivates a positive outlook towards life and is an excellent opportunity to meet new people.
- Be part of your community through groups and associations.
Get Started with Your Life Today
Finding purpose, meaning, and happiness during your retirement years will give you a positive outlook towards life and ensure you live to happy ripe old age. Examine your passions, talents, and hobbies, and set goals for each day. Whatever you do, remember working and spending time with friends and family will go a long way to achieving fulfillment in retirement.
