Karen

Is Your Retirement a Waste of Time

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Is Your Retirement a Waste of Time?

‘What I’m most looking forward to about retirement is having more time.’ If I had a pound for every time I heard this heartfelt refrain I’d be a wealthy woman!

But when you think about it, there’s no such thing as ‘more time’! Whether we’re retired or not, we all have the same 24 hours in a day.

The important difference is that when we retire we gain more choice over how we spend those 24 hours.

And this is often where things can start to go a bit pear-shaped!

Suddenly, we have the chance to fill those hours with meaning and purpose, no longer bound by the structure that work and family obligations once provided. And while it’s an undeniably exciting opportunity, ‘having more time’ can also feel daunting and overwhelming.

Time is our most precious asset

Financial security is often touted as the ultimate retirement goal, but in reality, time is our most precious asset. 

But unlike money, our time is a finite resource that cannot be replenished or saved for later use. Once it’s gone, it’s gone!

So, here’s the big question: What do you plan to DO with your precious, limited time in retirement?

And it’s this seemingly simple question that can often prove surprisingly challenging. Perhaps it’s because it’s a gentle, or maybe not so gentle reminder of our mortality – ‘time running out’ is a realisation that can be both empowering and sobering!

But retirement is a HUGE opportunity—an opportunity to design a new life made up of deliberate, intentional choices about how you want to spend your time.

 People have very different reactions to this opportunity but for most, it’s a unique blend of freedom and overwhelm!

Some dive headfirst into filling every minute with activity, only to quickly realise they’ve made an exhausting rod for their own back! It’s not about endless doing, but a wonderful chance to finally focus on the things that bring you joy, fulfilment, and purpose. Others, however, fall victim to procrastination and time-wasting activities like excessive TV watching or mindless scrolling on social media.

 The truth is, if something is important to us, we have to prioritise it and make time for it.

Maybe you feel like you're 'wasting' time

Maybe you recognise that you haven’t fully addressed what you want to do with your time in retirement, or maybe you’re struggling to find your piece of the opportunities retirement offers. Deep down, you might know that this can only be solved by some intentional thought on your part. This is where coaching can be a game-changer in retirement, providing personalised guidance and support to help individuals make the most of their time.

The whole idea of “wasting time” is of course completely relative. For instance, I know I’d be bored out of my mind in under an hour if I had to sit on a beach and do nothing for a week —but that’s plenty of other people’s definition of paradise. The key to a fulfilling retirement is spending your time doing what matters most TO YOU. 

It's YOUR time - how do YOU want to spend it?

It’s your time….

  • To explore who you are now and what gives you joy.
  • To realign and reconnect to the things that are significant to you.
  • To re-examine aspects of your life and let go of those that no longer feel right.
  • To take ownership of what really matters to you: your needs, your dreams, and your priorities for what’s next.

Grab a pen and start jotting down your  “It’s my time to…” ideas. Use them as your guide as you dive into this fresh chapter. Here’s some to get your creative juices flowing:

  • It’s my time to…. spend more moments with family and friends.
  • It’s my time to… dive into volunteering or giving back to the community.
  • It’s my time to…  travel to the places I’ve always talked about.
  • It’s my time to… learn something new or work on my personal growth.
  • It’s my time to… find ways to relax and unwind.
So, over to you…

From passing the time to embracing the time - it's yours to choose

Passing time… wasting time… killing time—these phrases all reflect our complex relationship with time itself. After decades of structure and schedules, it’s little wonder the sudden abundance of free time in retirement can feel overwhelming. We might talk about “passing time” as if we’re just trying to get through the day, waiting for something more meaningful to happen. “Wasting time” starts to feel more pressing, with the realisation that this is our time to focus on what truly matters. And “killing time” suggests a struggle with boredom, where minutes are seen as obstacles rather than opportunities. 

I like the phrase ‘spending time’ because it’s a reminder that we have a non-renewable resource at our disposal – a precious  chance to reshape our lives around what brings us joy, fulfillment, and purpose.

As you reflect on your retirement, consider this: are you ‘passing time,’ ‘wasting time,’ or ‘killing time’? Or are you ‘spending time’ intentionally and meaningfully?

Take some time to reflect on this, and remember, I’m here if you need any support or guidance.

 

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The Question That Makes Retirees Squirm

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The Question That Makes Retirees Squirm

It’s a seemingly innocent inquiry but one that seems to trigger groans from retirees everywhere.

It’s not the question itself – it’s the unspoken subtext, a hint of judgment that can leave you feeling a little…well, awkward.

And with no job title defining you, crafting the perfect answer to this question can feel surprisingly tricky. 

The question? “What do you DO these days?”

Redefining 'what we do'

For most of our working lives, our identity gets interwoven into our careers. We answer the “What do you do?” question with “I’m a teacher” or “I’m a hairdresser” – using our job title as a neat shorthand answer.

But for retirees, this question can feel loaded. Suddenly, the answer isn’t quite clear-cut anymore. The comfortable title we’ve used for years no longer seems to fit and while the word ‘retired’ may be technically accurate it’s about as exciting as a beige cardigan. “Is that all I am? Retired?”

 

Time to shed those old clothes and step into something that truly fits

Now, I bet you “used to” be a host of different things before retirement. You probably wore many hats, tackled many challenges, and aced many a team meeting! But you are so much more than just the sum of your past accomplishments.

The question is: how long can you hold onto those past titles and identities? 

Clinging on to who you used to be and what you used to do is like stubbornly continuing to wear your old work clothes even though they now feel uncomfortable, restrictive and no longer fit!

Retirement is the perfect time to shed those old ‘clothes’ – not your favourite jacket necessarily (though a wardrobe refresh never hurts!), but the outdated expectations and titles that no longer define you. It’s a chance to step into something more comfortable that truly reflects the new, authentic you.

So, how do YOU react to this question? 

Is it a conversation starter, a chance to share the vibrant life you’re actively creating, or does it trigger anxiety and a mini-existential crisis?

The discomfort triggered by the question often reflects a deeper struggle. Retirement throws us headfirst into redefining our identity and purpose. Gone are the days when our value and activities were neatly summarized by a job title. Now, we have the freedom – and perhaps the burden – to create a new answer, one that reflects the multifaceted beings we’ve become… an intrepid traveller, volunteer extraordinaire, or a first-time entrepreneur. Or maybe a unique blend of all three!

As for me, I proudly embrace the new label of “semi-retired.” 

Work is still a source of immense fulfilment. Coaching, speaking, and training are more than just jobs – they’re passions that allow me to share my experience and make a positive impact. I focus on guiding individuals through this dynamic and sometimes challenging transition to retirement. If that’s you, consider me your guide! 

The best part for me is having more freedom, which is SUCH a joy and privilege. I answer to no employer, so my time and energy are mine to manage. This allows me to delve deeper into the activities that truly bring me joy – family and friends, creative pursuits, learning (…always learning!), finding peace on the yoga mat and long country walks – to name but a few! 

Choice, flexibility, and balance are the guiding principles of this new chapter for me – a constant challenge, I admit, but one I relish every single day.

What is your discomfort trying to tell you?

The next time the “What do you DO?” question throws you a curveball, pause and reflect.

Could it be, that unexpected twinge of discomfort is trying to tell you something? Perhaps it’s urging you to ditch the old threads and step into something that truly fits – something that reflects the multifaceted YOU.

Ditch the tired “I used to be…” Let your answer be a bold declaration of your present self! This isn’t about what’s now behind you; it’s about the vibrant life you’re actively creating in this exciting new chapter.

Remember, it’s YOUR life. You get to call the shots, make your own choices, and chart your own path. This is your retirement, your way. Embrace it, own it, and live it to the fullest!

How to Create a Retirement that Rocks

(even if you have absolutely no idea right now what that could possibly look like!)
 
  • a concise, creative eBook to guide you into a purposeful future and a retirement that rocks!
  • an introduction to the Six Ps framework to help you take the reins of your retirement journey
  •  thought-provoking questions to help you design your retirement, your way

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Retirement: Existential Crisis or a Unique Personal Opportunity?

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Retirement: Existential Crisis or a Unique Personal Opportunity?

The champagne’s been popped, the goodbyes have been said, and you’ve officially hung up your work hat. The moment of retirement has finally arrived and an exhilarating vista of freedom stretches out in front of you!

But hold up, what’s that weird, uneasy feeling creeping in… a disconcerting vibe that seems to revolve around a handful of pressing questions:  What now? Who am I outside the professional box I’ve inhabited for so long?  What exactly am I going to DO with all this time? 

And suddenly, wham, instead of feeling free, relaxed, and optimistic, you feel lost, aimless, and stressed!  But fear not – although it may have the hallmarks of an existential crisis, it’s actually something far less unsettling and far more promising: it‘s a unique, personal opportunity.

Time for some experimental adventures!

It’s a unique opportunity to define yourself anew:

  • To think about what you want to do, be, and have
  • To respond to the inner callings that beckon you
  • To define and shape the future you wish to create
  • To experience change, growth, and reinvention

Your head’s brimming with ideas and your heart’s overflowing with dreams and a new chapter beckons! Now is your chance to shed the “shoulds” and embrace the “coulds” and the “what ifs” and step into the glorious unknown – a place ripe for exploration!

Think about it: you have the time, the (hopefully) financial security, and most importantly, the freedom to experiment. and indulge in the experimental joy that retirement offers!

No more squeezing hobbies into spare moments or daydreaming about adventures that have been put on hold. 

Retirement is your very own ‘permission slip’ to follow your curiosity:

  • Dust off a passion you were unable to pursue while working full-time. Remember that pottery class you always wanted to take? The travel blog you dreamt of starting? Now’s your chance! 
  • Embrace the “never too late” mentality: Learning a new language? Mastering the piano (…finally!)? Don’t let age hold you back. Your brain is still a magnificent learning machine, so feed it new experiences!
  • Step outside your comfort zone: Join a hiking group, sign up for that improv class, or volunteer for a cause you care about. The world is full of surprises waiting for the curious soul.
  • Embrace the power of “yes”: Say yes to invitations you might have declined before. Say yes to spontaneity. Say yes to the unexpected detours that life throws your way.
  • Use your workplace skills in a new way – try mentoring, or maybe give serious attention to the online business idea that’s been quietly incubating in your head.

Time to turn the "what now?" into "what next?"

Ditch the pressure to get it “right” the first time. Embrace the stumbles and the unexpected detours – they might well be the stepping stones to something very special.

Think of these ‘experimental adventures’ like an Artist’s Date – a concept popularised by creativity guru Julia Cameron. An Artist’s Date is simply regular time dedicated to nurturing your creativity, free from judgment or pressure. Maybe it’s a solo trip to the cinema (an ‘Artist’s Date that became a regular personal favourite of mine!), a silversmithing class you’ve always been curious about, or simply trying a new recipe. The point is to follow your curiosity and let your playful spirit roam free. 

Entering retirement can feel like you’ve been plunged into uncharted waters. But what may seem like a crisis is simply an invitation to surf the waves of change. So, explore new opportunities and create a chapter in your life story that’s just as amazing, if not more so, than those that came before.  

Are You Retirement Ready? (..and we're not talking money!)

Download your FREE checklist and discover your true retirement readiness.
Dreaming of retirement freedom, but feeling stuck in the planning stage?

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