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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?

Don’t worry, you’re not alone! It’s time to take a more holistic approach because while finances ARE important, true retirement readiness goes beyond the numbers.

This isn’t your typical tick-box exercise! Our red, amber, and green system offers instant clarity on your current situation as well as a framework for genuine self-reflection.

This checklist, based on my Six P’s Retirement Framework, will help you build a rock-solid foundation for a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement:

  • Explore six key areas essential for a truly fulfilling retirement, from health and purpose to relationships and mindset.
  • Build clarity and confidence about stepping into this exciting new chapter.
  • Stop wasting time in the “not ready” limbo and take control of your future.
  • Get intentional about creating your ideal retirement lifestyle.

 Sign up for instant access to your FREE checklist*  (*both digital and printable)

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The Vital Role of Letting Go in Retirement

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The Vital Role of 'Letting Go' in Retirement

Letting Go2

It’s a mistake – or maybe wishful thinking – to think we can just coast our way out of one closing chapter, and straight into retirement with barely a backward glance.

Unfortunately, as we often discover to our cost, it’s rarely that simple! 

There’s a much-underestimated, and vital step that needs to be taken first: letting go of what’s ending.

Retirement, like ANY transition, is a process and that process starts with letting go. It’s where we acknowledge what’s ending, name our losses, and let them go. With gratitude… and probably a few tears!

Easy to say, not so easy to DO! 

But without addressing this part of the process many stay stuck in limbo – unable to go back and unable to move on.

The 'Letting Go' Limbo

Take Laura, for instance. 

As a doctor on the cusp of retirement, Laura willingly postponed her plans when COVID hit. But when I met up with her recently she still hadn’t “made the big decision” to retire and after a bit of gentle digging, it became clear that Laura was stuck in the ‘letting go limbo’ and consequently kept deferring the decision.

There were SO many things she was finding challenging to give up, including her status, expertise, colleagues, and her professional identity, to name a few!

‘Who am I going to be if I’m not a doctor?’ she confided, echoing a common fear of many approaching retirement.

The transitional space between who you were and who you are becoming can without doubt feel like an unsettling limbo, leaving you hesitant and like Laura, prone to procrastination. 

Whilst it FEELS like a limbo, there’s work to be done here!  It’s an important space – a mental, emotional, and physical space – where you release the emotional attachments to the people, places and things that might have served you well in the past, but no longer align with the person you’re becoming. 

Letting Go1

The thing to remember here is that these ‘endings’ aren’t finalities; they’re simply preludes to new beginnings.

So, where are YOU in your 'letting go' journey?

Are you holding on for dear life, like Laura? 

Transitioning between who you were and who you’re becoming is certainly NOT without its challenges!  It involves letting go of roles, routines, and social connections we’ve held onto for years. Whether adjusting to changing family dynamics or facing the physical reminders of time’s passage, it’s only natural to feel a sense of loss. Acknowledging this sadness is not only okay but also an essential and beneficial part of the process.

Here are a few additional tips to help you navigate this transition and embrace the limbo as you step into your new life:

  1. Embrace Stillness: Instead of filling your days with endless tasks and commitments, allow yourself moments of stillness. Take time to reflect, meditate, or simply be present. In this quiet space, you may discover what truly brings you joy and passion.

  2. Embrace the Process: Don’t try to ignore or bypass this stage of transition. It’s a fertile ground for growth and self-discovery. Embrace the uncertainty, knowing that it holds the potential for exciting opportunities to unfold.

  3. Embrace the Possibilities: Don’t forget to also acknowledge and release the things that no longer serve you or have run their course. Turn your attention to the possibilities to be found as a result of letting go. More time? More freedom? More autonomy?

  4. Embrace Forward Momentum: While it’s important to cherish the memories of the past, don’t let them hinder your future. Retirement signifies a new chapter in your life, full of potential and possibility. Keep your focus on the present moment and the opportunities that lie ahead. Your retirement journey is just beginning, and many new adventures await!

  5. Embrace Support: Don’t hesitate to lean on your support network during this transition. Whether it’s friends, family, or a professional coach, having someone to talk to can provide valuable perspective and encouragement. Share your thoughts and feelings with those you trust, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

  6. Embrace Self-Care: Take time to engage in activities that nourish mind, body and soul. Whether it’s practising yoga, going for walks in nature, or indulging in your favourite hobbies, make time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. Taking care of yourself is essential as you embark on this new chapter of your life.

Remember, things change, life changes, and WE change. Staying the same is not on the menu – growth and evolution are! 

And “letting go” is where it all starts. It’s not about who you used to be or what you used to do; it’s about who you are becoming and what excites you now. So, take a deep breath, release your grip on the past, ready to step boldly into your next chapter. 

Retirement is not the end…. it’s just the beginning!

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

Download your FREE checklist and discover your true retirement readiness.

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Your Retirement Jigsaw

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Your Retirement Jigsaw: Is the Picture on the Box Missing?

An unfolding revelation

I’m very partial to metaphors and analogies! I love the way they can shortcut our understanding of concepts and processes. One of my firm favourites that I often use in my retirement coaching is that of the jigsaw puzzle. Retirement, much like a jigsaw, is made up of numerous pieces waiting to interlock before your dreams for the next chapter fully materialise – from the exciting chaos of pieces tumbling out of the box to the rewarding moment when the last piece finally reveals the full picture in all its glory. It’s an unfolding revelation and the satisfaction of completion is undeniable!

Typically, when we first meet, my clients have already made a valiant (but unsuccessful) attempt to assemble their retirement puzzle from a seemingly random mishmash of pieces – even forcing shapes together that clearly don’t fit, out of sheer frustration!  (We’ve all done this, right?) 

The thing is, they’ve bypassed THE most crucial element of all – the picture on the box. 

What's so important about the picture on the box?

face in profile grey

That picture on the box? That’s your vision right there. 

Without a clear vision of what you want your life in retirement to look like you’re fumbling around in the dark. You can’t just dump a thousand puzzle pieces out on the table and expect to put them together unless you know what the picture is supposed to look like.

So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and spinning your wheels when it comes to planning your post-retirement life, chances are you haven’t yet pinned down your vision for the next chapter  – the “picture on the box.” 

If you don’t know what you want retirement to look like, you’re likely to end up somewhere you never intended to be, doing things you never wanted to do.

And that’s not exactly a retirement destination of choice!

Piecing it all together

Lacking a clear vision often leads to a reactive approach instead of a proactive one – doing things in a haphazard, ad hoc way rather than with deliberate intention. This can result in less-than-ideal decisions, as you flounder in a sea of choices without a solid plan to anchor you.

So tell me, do you have a crystal-clear vision of what you want your life in retirement to look like? 

Because the last thing you want is to arrive at this exciting new chapter only to find yourself feeling uncertain, disappointed, or stuck.

This is where the jigsaw analogy can help. Just like the systematic approach most of us use in assembling jigsaw puzzles—beginning with corners, straight edges, and grouping colour combinations—this same strategy can help shape your vision.

jigsaw piece
  • The corner pieces

    The corner pieces symbolise your key values—the fundamental core beliefs shaping your decision-making and actions. These values—like adventure, freedom, community, contribution, creativity, making a difference, and personal growth—serve as guiding lights in life. Just as the corners secure the puzzle’s frame, your values anchor your life, shaping your choices, priorities, and overall satisfaction. Remember, our values often evolve as we move through different life stages and when our values and lifestyle drift apart, it creates a sense of disconnection, sparking frustration and discontent. This is why making a conscious effort to identify and realign your key values at the outset is SO important. 

  • The straight edges  
    These represent the things that are super important to you… and your straight edges will be unique to you. They’re the non-negotiable things – things like spending more time with loved ones, prioritising your health, indulging in your hobbies, or making personal growth a priority. When the straight edges link together they form the framework that holds your unique retirement vision in place.

  • Grouping colour combinations
    Here’s your chance to craft a one-of-a-kind vision that perfectly matches your desires and aspirations, your likes and dislikes, dreams, talents, and passions. These combinations reflect your individuality, and the things that deeply resonate with you—things you hold dear, and the things that float your boat and bring you joy. They encapsulate your true essence.

Before you start...

A few practical tips to get the ball rolling:

  • Start by letting your thoughts flow freely. Remember, you’re not starting from scratch here and you already know far more than you might think! There are plenty of puzzle pieces already floating around. They might just need turning over so their potential can be seen.
  • Explore connections and relationships between different aspects of your retirement vision. Mind-mapping your ideas is a great way to do this.
  • Trust your gut feelings and tap into your inner wisdom. Consider seeking counsel from your ‘wise woman self,’ that intuitive part within you.
  • Don’t force it – let it evolve.  Allow room for adjustments and iterations as you gain clarity and insights along the way.
  • Still feeling a bit overwhelmed? No worries! My Are You Retirement Ready? checklist is here to get the ball rolling and give your retirement vision a jumpstart. 
jigsaw last piece

Remember, crafting your retirement vision is a deeply personal endeavour. It’s about acknowledging your values, passions, and dreams, and weaving them together to create a vivid and meaningful future.

‘The picture on the box’ is a representation of your unique pieces. You can’t force-fit someone else’s pieces into your puzzle; it’s crafted solely from the pieces that belong to you.

Just as a jigsaw puzzle can take time, patience and persistence – combined with a degree of frustration at times – finding your ‘picture on the box’ is a gradual process but once you have a clear vision, decision-making becomes a whole lot easier.

So, if you’re envisioning the satisfaction of clicking the final piece of your retirement puzzle into place, let that anticipation fuel your journey. Embrace your vision, stay true to your aspirations, and step forward into the retirement of your creation.

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