Reading Time: 3 minutesHave you ever wondered why retirement doesn’t always feel like the dream you imagined? The Myth of the Perfect Retirement Many people have real emotional difficulties transitioning from work to retirement. There’s often a gap between the expectations people have for retirement and the reality of retirement. In our culture, we only focus on preparing …
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe First Motivation: Giving Back Retirement allows you time to give back and serve, but is every volunteer role right for you? Serving others is noble—but if your work doesn’t also meet your own needs, you may end up burned out instead of fulfilled. What’s In It for You? Does a volunteer role you’re considering …
Reading Time: 3 minutesI Didn’t Think I Cared About Status—Until I Lost It Retirement brings many changes, but one of the most unsettling is the quiet loss of status. Not wealth, not time—status. It’s that intangible sense of being respected, recognized, and known. And when it’s gone, you feel it. I used to downplay status, probably trying to …
Reading Time: 4 minutesWhen Should You Retire? Five Factors to Consider When people ask me, ‘When should I retire?’ I usually pause. It’s a simple question—but rarely has a simple answer. Most people get to choose when they will retire, but even those who can choose aren’t sure when or how to retire. During coaching and conversations with …
Reading Time: 3 minutesDon’t Let Fear Steal the Joy from Your Retirement Retirement brings a new kind of freedom—but it can also bring new fears. And if you’re not careful, that fear can quietly take over, robbing you of the joy and fulfillment this season of life can offer. In my conversations with retirees—and in my coaching practice—I’ve …
Reading Time: 2 minutesThe Certification Process: More Than a Rubber Stamp Retirement is one of the most significant transitions people face—yet most planning focuses only on money. I’ve seen firsthand how many retirees (including myself) struggle with meaning, identity, and structure once they leave work behind. That’s why I decided to become a Certified Professional Retirement Coach. Last …
Reading Time: 3 minutesMy Retirement Didn’t Go as Expected When I retired over 10 years ago, I had no idea what retirement involved. I didn’t know it was a major life transition or what to expect. After the first-year “honeymoon phase,” I was surprised by the emotional shift that followed with the “loss and lost” phase—loss of identity, …
Reading Time: 3 minutesThe Myth of a Static Retirement The biggest myth about retirement? That once you get past the adjustment phase, the rest will fall into place. Many expect some initial upheaval when they first retire, but assume that once they get it figured out, they’ll settle into a stable routine for the rest of their retirement. …
Reading Time: 2 minutesRetirement Opens Doors—But Which Ones Should You Walk Through? Retirement gives you many opportunities. It’s a time for reinventing yourself, following your curiosity, trying on new things, and being open to new experiences. However, be careful what opportunities you say yes to in retirement. Some opportunities are beneficial and work you enjoy, but they can …
Reading Time: 5 minutesRetirement Without Purpose Isn’t Freedom — It’s a Trap A few years ago I lived in a 55+ community in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Almost all of our 26,000 residents were retired. The prevailing attitude was “I’m retired, and my reward for working is to not do anything but play.” This was reflected by declining participation …