Power Up Blog
Thoughts & Musings on Retirement
Mind over matter!
I am grateful to say that I’ve found a job which inspires me. 🙏
But one of the reasons it inspires me is because I get to learn about the human mind and then put that knowledge to use to help others thrive.
What’s amazing about our minds is that they are actually plastic. We have the power, no matter what age we are, to do something called “pruning”. 🧠
In 2016, Statistics Canada stated that the life expectancy at birth was 79.1 years for men and 83.4 years for women. So, if you are a woman, chances are that you will outlive your partner.
Death, however, is guaranteed to happen as we all die expectedly or not. Let’s look at a few things you can do to prepare in advance to alleviate some of the burden on those left behind as well as to decrease any stress or anxiety you may have around this.
Give a little, get a lot.
In times that I’ve felt low or disempowered, I’ve often gotten stuck in negative thought spirals…
Yes, even coaches get down in the dumps! 😲
Strangely, when we get into those mental ruts, we can isolate ourselves because we’re embarrassed or we just assume others won’t understand.
BUT there is a VERY simple (and active) way to reduce it!
You know that feeling you get when someone leaves you a surprise note? 😃
It is a tiny bit of magic when someone tucks a note into a place they know you’ll find it.
It makes you feel like you are important enough to be thought of in advance – so much so that someone has considered how you’ll feel in the future and done something about it.
I say we can do that for OURSELVES too!
Look up! 👀
Ever notice that you look at your phone more than you want to? Ever look up and realize you got caught up in scrolling a little too much?
There is good reason for that. Software engineers are hired by handfuls of tech companies to keep high engagement levels in social media apps.
Turns out, it’s actually no mystery that notifications keep us opening apps over and over again.
Many people have no idea when their partner is going to retire. They just know their own date of retirement. 🎉
Since retirement is a HUGE change in someone’s life and will certainly impact a relationship, it’s important to find out what you’re each thinking.
The best action to take is to talk about it and there is certainly a lot to discuss such as:
People have told me that one of their fears about retirement is that their adult children will expect them to care for the grandchildren on a day-to-day basis or to change their plans at a moment's notice.
If this is a concern for you, then you need to think about whether or not this is something you want to do.
Once you are clear on what it is you want and are willing to do, have a conversation with your adult children around expectations and boundaries.
This may be an uncomfortable conversation for you to have. However, doing something you really don’t want to do has a cost on you and your relationship with your adult children.
Be honest with yourself and your adult children even if it means disappointing them. At the very least they will know where you stand.
Running out of money in retirement.
It’s a really scary thought.
It’s actually one of the biggest fears people have about transitioning into this next chapter of their lives.
Many people also worry they won’t have enough money to live the life they want.
And that right there folks is the reason why planning for retirement mentally and emotionally first, and then working with a financial planner to flesh out your plans even further, will help give you the bigger picture.
