I’m Retired. Next Chapter!
I wrote this blog on a Tuesday, which felt the same as Monday, and not much different than Saturday.
We imagine retirement as a permanent vacation filled with sunsets, golf, long lunches and maybe a cruise.
The uncomfortable truth- A vacation is wonderful because it is a break from the ordinary, but does eventually come to an end. Retirement is the new ordinary, and does not end. Yikes?
But I have great news.
Now we get to design our life that looks less like a resume and more like a story worth telling.
Our story does not start with- “I stopped working” It begins with- “I now have the time to…”
It is a wonderful beginning.
The main character of the story is us, and we need to change through curiosity and growth. An evolving character makes a story interesting, same goes for retirement.
We need supporting characters. We just lost our work friends, and we will miss them. Family and friends, maybe even new friends need to show up. Good stories love company, so does our health and longevity.
The plot, oh this is big. How would you describe your story? What are the highlights, fun parts, and key takeaways people will remember? May I suggest the plot of our story should closely align with our “new” purpose in our life. Our Ikagai, the reason to rise in the morning. Our purpose in retirement often whispers instead of shouts, but still shows up on every page.
The end. Some of the greatest stories close with an open ending, one that allows the reader to continue the story in their mind. Or maybe it just leads to another chapter, or even a new book. Foreshadow?
A retirement story worthy telling isn’t impressive for what we have done in our past. It is memorable for the chapter we are writing in the present.
So, what is your story?
Enjoy your day,
Just a little extra-
I feel very fortunate for my 45 year career. I could add another 10 years for paper route and restaurant work and management(during high school and college).
I met some of my best friends, and my wife related to my jobs.
My career started at Ford Motor Company. Having grown up in Dearborn, Michigan I thought I would work there forever. Ford had a different idea.
The food industry was my next stop, starting with Carnation Company. Pepsi recruited me away and the unlimited expense account introduced me to the left side of the menu at some of the finest restaurants in the country.
I got a chance to be an entrepreneur, starting an ad agency at the dawn of the digital age. I was very focussed but finally took a vacation after two years. Fun trip, but I forgot to pack pants. Did I mention I was very focussed?
Merging my company with a larger marketing organization allowed for more personal growth.
And the final “work” chapter led me to the Senior Living industry which seems well timed/relevant.
I met many wonderful people during my career, most of whom I have lost track of. But like characters in a good story, they played a role and moved on, likely to star in a story of their own.
So tomorrow-
I will set my alarm, go for my daily walk and spend time writing the next chapter.
My story is not over, and neither is yours.
References
Cole, Garry. February 2024. Are We Old Yet? (Yes, I used my book as a reference)