Who Knew About Unretirement?
When I first retired, I envisioned days filled with gardening, travel plans, and tackling my reading list. Six months later, I found myself feeling aimless and grappling with a loss of identity. To my surprise, retirement wasn't the endless vacation or the glamorous lifestyle I'd imagined. Who knew having all the time in the world could be so unsatisfying?
Mark S. Walton's book, "Unretired: How Highly Effective People Live Happily Ever After," opened my eyes to another new concept. I approached it with curiosity and found myself relating to many of its themes. It hadn't occurred to me that I had 'failed' at retirement when I felt compelled to establish a retirement coaching practice. This experience made it clear that the traditional approach to retirement is no longer useful or healthy.
re·tire·ment /rəˈtī(ə)rm(ə)nt/
noun
1. the action or fact of leaving one's job and ceasing to work.
The Unretirement Revolution
Walton highlights a growing trend: people rejecting traditional retirement and designing a more dynamic, engaged post-career life. It's about intentionally creating a fulfilling and meaningful second half of life, developing a plan to create purpose and continue growing in a way that benefits both you and others.
Finding Your Fascination
Walton emphasizes the importance of fascination in reinvention. It's not about following your passion, but pursuing what truly interests you. For me, that fascination led to starting Spring Tide Coaching. Who knew that helping others navigate their retirement journeys would become my second act?
Riding the Emotional Tides of Retirement
For many people, the second half of life comes with emotional ups and downs, moments of uncertainty, and occasional self-doubt. The name Spring Tide Coaching reflects this journey.
spring tide /ˈspriNG ˌtīd/
noun
a tide just after a new or full moon, when there is the greatest difference between high and low water.
Like the tides, retirement is a cycle of highs and lows. It's about redefining success, discovering new sources of meaning, and creating an authentic life. Not simplifying stopping to work (for a living).
Small Steps: Navigating the Unretirement Waters
Launching a coaching practice felt daunting, but I followed Dr. Andrew Huberman's concept of breaking tasks into smaller steps. Huberman's idea of "limbic friction" - the energy required to overcome anxiety, procrastination, and fatigue - resonated with me. Dr. Becky Kennedy's quote, "If something feels too hard to start, it just means the first step isn't small enough," became my mantra. Tackling retirement goals incrementally and with curiosity is key.
Here are tips for navigating unretirement:
Embrace the unknown: See it as an adventure, not a crisis.
Create a plan and start with small steps: Know that your plan will change as you go
Find your tribe: Connect with other "unretirees."
Be flexible: Your plans may change, and that's okay.
Keep your sense of humor: It helps when explaining your new lifestyle to others.
Its helpful to remember that unretirement isn't about working forever out of necessity. It's about creating an engaged, fulfilling life. If you find yourself questioning your retirement, don't worry. You haven't failed; its a journey and perhaps you are ready for the next adventure. Pack your sense of humor along with your map - both are helpful.
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