Category: Retirement

When you picture your retirement years, what do you see? Maybe your mornings are spent sleeping in and enjoying a good book along with your coffee. Or perhaps you’re spending your time relaxing and lying on the beach. But for many retirees, once the novelty of “getting to do whatever I want” wears off, they’re left with the nagging question of “what is my purpose in my new life”?

The numbers seem to back this up. According to a study by AARP in collaboration with National Geographic partners, nearly half (47%) of adults are concerned about being able to maintain a sense of purpose and relevance in retirement, including 41% of retirees. And 46% of retired adults say they never gave any thought to planning for their personal fulfillment during retirement. The lesson is clear: it’s never too early (or late) to start planning for what will bring you purpose once you’re retired.

So, what do we mean by ‘purpose’? Purpose is that inner excitement that lights you up, affecting nearly every aspect of your life. It’s strongly tied to your mental, emotional and physical health and longevity. Throughout your life, you’ve probably had a variety of activities that have brought you purpose: your career, raising your family, being involved in your children’s activities, etc. However, during retirement, these activities are no longer a big part of your life. This means that finding and maintaining purpose throughout retirement is critical for long-term joy and fulfillment. Feeling aimless and not building that purpose can lead to:

• Isolation
• Depression
• Loss of identity and meaning
• Lack of structure and routine
• Poorer physical and mental health

You may be wondering, “how do I get started planning for a fulfilling and meaningful retirement”? No one can tell you your purpose, not your spouse or your children. It’s personal and requires taking a deep dive into what truly brings you joy and fulfillment. In our next article, we’ll look at some steps you can take to find your purpose, but self-reflection is really the key. On June 28^th, Leah M Joppy and Associates will be holding a workshop to help you plan a purposeful retirement and find meaning in this next chapter of your life. You’ll gain a profound sense of self awareness, a stronger glimpse into your unique talents and a vision and action plan for when you’re ready to retire.

To learn more and register, please visit the events page. We’ll help you move beyond simply retiring from something, and instead, retire to something truly meaningful.

We probably all know someone who was so anxious to retire, only to sit on the couch most of the day watching television. Maybe you’ve witnessed a family member or close friend retire and lose that “spark” they had when they were working. Most likely, you’ve said to yourself, “that will never be me!” Yet, so many retirees are so excited by the prospect of having more free time that they forget to plan for what they’ll do with all that free time.

Once you’re retired, there’s a profound shift in routine. But just because you may not get up to go to work every day doesn’t mean that you don’t have a purpose or mission—you just have to find it! Self-reflection is a big part of the puzzle. Here are 5 ways to uncover what your inner voice is telling you:

• Think about what you value: Your personal values are a great predictor of what actions and decisions will most likely lead to purpose. If you never sit down to think about your values, you’re more susceptible to making decisions based on whatever information is in front of you at the moment. Let your values drive your decisions! Knowing what you stand for helps keep you on a path you believe in.
• Recognize your unique strengths and talents: Choosing a purpose that comes naturally and has meaning to you will make you more likely to achieve it. And when you utilize your innate talents, you will be more likely to succeed and build the confidence to try new things.
• Think about what you enjoy doing in your spare time: How we spend our free time tells us a lot about ourselves. Do you like to use your time educating yourself and expanding your skillset? Or do you enjoy exercising and spending time in nature? Maybe social time with friends and family is your top priority. Whatever the pursuit, taking care of your mind and body is an essential part of living a purposeful life.
• Connect with family and friends: Social ties are essential, particularly during the retirement years. Loss of routine and daily interactions with co-workers can make many feel isolated. Find new ways to spend time with family and friends and discover new activities you can incorporate into your life. Understanding the connections that matter most to you will help determine how you want to spend your time.
• Connect with yourself: The most important relationship you have is with yourself. But that doesn’t mean that self-reflection comes easy. That’s where activities like journaling come in. A study from UMass Boston shows that journaling is one of the most effective tools for increasing self-understanding, acceptance, creativity and finding your purpose. Get started by asking yourself some basic questions: What legacy do you want to leave behind? What would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail? What words would others use to describe you? You may be surprised at some of the answers you uncover!

Planning for your purpose in retirement should be just as important as planning your money. On June 28^th, Leah M Joppy and Associates will be holding a workshop to help you plan a purposeful retirement and find fulfillment in this next chapter of your life. We’ll help you move beyond simply retiring from something, and instead, retire to something truly meaningful.

To learn more and register, please visit the events page.