Whether you worked for a long time or just a few years, you finally made it! You are retired, financially independent or just plain lucky. The fortunate few that no longer have to work for a living are not sitting around just getting old. What are they doing?
Financial freedom means different things to people. For some, it means not having to work for a living. Many retirees are busy doing leisure activities such as traveling, sports, entertainment, etc. Some are continuing doing volunteering, part time work or just spending time with their family. Still others may be doing activities that they did not have an opportunity to do when they were working. For example, George H W Bush went skydiving at 80 years old. They are busy spending money, time and actively engaged in life.
Alright you worked for a lot of your adult life and now you are retired. Do you just sit around and watch TV? I am sure some do, but most do not! Some retired after years in the work world and others retired early because they chose to or were forced to. Many need to supplement their retirement and others just want to stay busy. In either case, retirement does not look like anything we have seen before. Even if they are older, they are active.
Ii remember seeing my mother in her eighties referring to “older” people as being old. She had that opinion because she was so active. She chose to work well into her eighties teaching arts and craft to senior citizens. She was not alone; many of her colleagues were a similar age. The old people she referred to were in a retirement home. They were there because they could no longer take care of themselves. This means they can no longer cook, shower by themselves or need some supervision. They were still active in every other way.
These active seniors are not just limited to the United States. I saw many seniors riding bikes in Europe, skiing, running, participating in life to their fullest. The days of putting retired people out to pasture are over. Many seniors are still working in a field other than their careers. They volunteer with various non-profits, busy with their grand-children and travel all over the world. A number of years ago, my wife and I went on a cruise and we were the youngest people on the ship. Many of those seniors out walked us on some of the tours and we are in good shape! Is this true of everyone who reaches 60 years old? No!
More people are active in their retirement than ever before. There are many people who reached retirement age and are sick. They are able to live longer, but they are on oxygen, have heart ailments or maybe cancer. They remain active because of new medical treatments, medicine or maybe it is just a strong will. Whatever the reason, they live active happy lives. There is a lesson here, if you retire at a younger age, get engaged in a active lifestyle. Better yet, don’t wait till you are in your 40s, 50s, or 60s to become active.
Some older people have gone wild, although you probably won’t notice them. They are with other older people in communities, retirement homes or bridge clubs or at a senior center. They are taking lessons in skydiving, flying, learning a new language, playing the piano, learning technology, exercising in the park, going on a gambling trip to Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Casino. In other words, there everywhere and always doing something! They are actively involved in life. What are you doing? What do you think your retirement will be like? What are you waiting for?
Photo by: rileyroxx
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My FIL (father in law) told me the average lifespan of a law enforcement officer after retirement is 5 years. That’s pretty crazy. I’m starting to know more retiree now that everyone is getting older. FIL messes around on his property a lot and go check up on older relatives. MIL is also cleaning up her house and property. Her boy friend was a hoarder and she need to clean out all the junks so she can get fire insurance. They are newly retired and hopefully they’ll find some other fulfilling activities to keep them busy in the years to come.
I think the retirement age for law enforcement is 55, five additional years is not much! I find it funny that some retirees do the things they have been putting off for so long. Others try new things, my cousin started taking recreational supervision at 82 years old. BTW, he isn’t even retired! He will work forever, but he loves his work (Distributor for greeting card stores).
My plan is to be just as active in retirement as I am now. I actually want to blur the line between working years and retirement years by slowly trading one activity for another. If retirement isn’t a time to be active, what is there to look forward to?
Finding a replacement for work that is worthwhile is essential! You are on the right track.
You have an excellent message! I think the transition is easier if you know how to be active and are in great shape before you retire than trying to learn all those skills in retirement!
I don’t think I ever totally want to retire. Work less, sure, but totally retire, no thanks…
I definitely want to travel, and I would like to do that now instead of latter!
I never did understand retiring on Friday after 30-40 years and do nothing Monday! I plan on having some routine that gets me up out of the house everyday. Probably volunteering.
I’d like to retire before 65. It would be nice to embark on a crazy second career totally unrelated to my own field. That would be pretty fun.
Agreed! I think way too many people look at retirement as being the time they can finally live their life. I don’t think you should let life pass you by and then try to travel and do the things you want to do once you’re old and don’t have as much energy.
Agreed! That was one of the reasons, I retired at 38! I wanted to be independent, live my dream and I did not like being told what to do. Fortunately, I managed to do almost all the things I have wanted to do in my life. I now have a new list of things to fill the remaining 35 years of my life.
I am doing my 7th (teaching) and 8th (blogging) career right now! I have another 35 years to start another career.
Hmm, life is so unpredictable that I have a hard time envisioning retirement. However, I do love to ride my bike and play tennis, and I hope I can continue to be active in my retirement.
I think I will be more serene in retirement. My life is so rushed these days that I think I will be able to explore so many new things. I will be able to read a lot more. Oh, one thing I want to do is just hop in my car and drive. No plan, no schedule, no nothing. I will explore. I may be gone a week, a month, who knows. I want to see the small things in life. Stop in a general store in the middle of nowhere, have a beer in a bar down south (smoke free). See life from all different perspectives.
Hey, my retirement sounds kinda fun!!
People don’t change, unless you make a conscious effort! If yo don’t take the time now, what are you waiting for? Compared to my former hectic life, I am semi-retired! Am I less stressed? I think so, but I still don’t have all the time to do what I want to do. I think I could be busy at some level for the next thirty-five (35) years!
It’s quite a way off for me, but I envision 2 parts to a great retirement: 1)Spending time with kids and grandkids, being an active part of their lives (but not interfering) 2) Traveling and taking part in experiences that truly provide enjoyment to me at that time. 3) Not working unless it’s on a project that I enjoy and keeps me motivated.
The key is to put oneself in position to do such things, by staying physically and financially healthy well ahead of that time.
Very true about keeping physically and financially healthy! Be careful, time flies by faster than you realize, but only older people usually say that.
we are trying to be more active and biking in a park,but it is boring to go round in circles.I hesitate to say it,but I am having a difficult time,my mom just passed away,my children are busy,my husband lives mostly in the computer,and sleeps in his room with the dog.My only interest used to be shopping and cooking.These have to change because I have diabetes and we are on a budget..
I am sorry to hear about your mom passing, but she would want you to have a full life. You must have hobbies, or things you like to do that you can pursue. Perhaps volunteer at your church, local hospital or youth organizations. If you can stay busy, it is easier to deal with the grief.
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