One of the dictionary definitions of retirement is “withdrawal”. Sound’s pretty bleak to me, how about you? Or maybe you are feeling so worn out that a period of withdrawal sounds pretty good. And taking time to withdraw from the world for a brief time is often very necessary and healing. But a lifetime of it can get pretty old, no pun intended!
Many women are not ready to withdraw from the world. In fact most of the women I know that are nearing retirement tell me that this is the best time in their lives. They feel wiser, are in great health and feel more grounded than ever before. You may feel this way too. And yet there is a great deal of uncertainty about what retirement will look like. What will I do with my time is one of the most frequent questions I hear.
Living from your heart and following your passions can lead you to a better understanding of what you want your retirement life to look like. It may seem to you that you have been so busy working or raising a family and caring for others that you haven’t given any thought to who you are anymore. If this resonates with you then you probably need to take some time to find yourself again.
If you are looking for more in your life than a rocking chair on the porch when you retire, now is a good time to begin the process of preparing yourself for the retirement life you want. Start by asking yourself the following questions:
- What do you feel passionate about?
- What does living from your heart mean to you?
- What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Begin a journal with the answers to these questions and the thoughts and feelings they invoke in you. Taking some time for yourself now will pay big dividends to you in the future.
Working with a coach can help you find direction as you plan the life you want to have when you retire. Contact me to schedule a complimentary, 30 minute coaching session. Invest the time in yourself – you won’t regret it!
