The word “retirement” conjures up many different things for people. To some, it is a long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work. To others, it signals the end of one's usefulness and relevance.
Your book just came today from Amazon! I plan to order more for all my family and friends! I love the arrangement in “Lessons”, rather than “Chapters”. It’s so good to be helped to be mindful (one of the lessons) in approaching aging, rather than just letting these years happen and then wondering what went wrong or what could have been done more thoughtfully. (And the cover is so pretty to me, the green, and the symbolic window.🤗)
But after 3 months of dissatisfaction, he knew it wasn't for him and when he was headhunted, he took up the position and hasn't looked back. At 72, he's perfectly content.
My life didn't change. I was a fiction writer and a homemaker - that continued and continues to this day. I'm content.
Together, we are content with our choices. Mostly, we're mindful that life can change on the spin of a coin, so we enjoy what we share right now.
Testing out retirement is brilliant advice that we will keep in mind (although we aren't retiring in the near future).
I can appreciate what you said about thinking about a place in the spring and summer but neglecting the nasty months of winter. We recently went to look at a smaller home in a spectacular location. Had we seen it in the summer we likely would be living there now but it was winter. A warm winter day, yet the home was chilly (wood burning stove heated the house). The following week our valley got more than 30 degrees Celsius (no joke) colder. I can't imagine how cold that house was during that cold snap. Thankfully we looked at it in the winter!
What a great story! What I hadn't realized about Olympia were the cloudy skies - and being north of where I was less daylight in the winter - which you are probably well aware of. I missed the California sunshine and my family. But we saw bald eagles and deer which were so special on the plus side.
Retirement planning is a thing. I retired without really retiring—I changed my lifestyle and started writing—and found I was really out of sorts in such a short time.
I keep telling my husband to try and imagine what his retirement will look like, but he can't seem to imagine it, not yet.
I'm bringing visionary to him. I want to move from where we're living into an area more suitable for aging in place. I envision a home we never have to "get away from" — but that holds us in place because of its sheer beauty and versatility. I've lived in three places that housed these desires, so I know it's possible.
We're dedicating the next year or so to finding such a place, first visiting, and then returning to confirm, and then renting for a year so we still have an out if finding it isn't "the place."
Your story drove home the level of importance in planning and testing before committing.
I consider myself a sojourner, I've lived in many places in my lifetime. My husband has lived in two states and pretty much been in the same area for years.
I'm learning how to compromise and slow myself down for him... if I had it my way I'd already have moved to a new place and tested it out then—for me, that's all part of the adventure.
Thank you for sharing your 'retirement' story, Janice.
There's a lovely Substack called Encourage Meant. The authors 'retired' and bought a farm in France. They created what they call their 'Encouragement Manifesto'. It's a list of 10 things that they value in their lives... something they created together. I believe they have used that as a framework for their next 'chapter'. I think it's a wonderful way to think about retirement... before choosing a state to live in, a house, a boat, or whatever we think we want to do. It has definitely given me cause to think about what's important at this phase of my life.
That was very interesting - while many plan financially for retirement few give a thought to how they will spend all that free time. Heard from many a wife that it is a huge adjustment to having a husband around full time - My SIL put it best when told my brother "please go back to work :) they've gotten used to it now but it was a big adjustment!
The second issue is health - this is what worries me the most - seen more than one active healthy 70 get waylaid by illness - it's difficult to find good information on living not only long but in excellent health - I just finished Netflix How to Live to a 100 Secrets of the Blue Zones - mind blowing to see a 100 year old man as healthy and active as a 40 year old - no surprise that our western diet is extremely bad for our long term health. i
Hi Rob, I am checking into the Blue Zone Secrets. I just read Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, which had some good suggestions as well about life span and health span:
I loved this post, and it gave me so much to think about. Hubs and I are steadily moving toward retirement and have a plan, but we haven't tested it out at all. I've had a taste of downshifting by moving to working for myself, and that's been a massive adjustment. I feel like Hubs is in for a major adjustment period!
Wow thank you for sharing, Janice. This has so much insight. It’s so kind of you to share your lessons learned. I’m going to have my husband read this pronto. We keep going around in crazy circles as to where to live. One day it’s on the coast of Costa Rica, the next day it’s Cincinnati, then we waver back to the idea of Storrs, Connecticut, then over to the coast of northern Mexico, then back to Washington, D.C., and around and around.🤦♀️ I think the only way to decide is what you suggest, trying first... trying the locations and trying the planned-on pursuits and activities in each location. We want our adult children to have a say too (just to complicate everything more. 🙈) And I don’t know how realistic we’re being in any of our ideas. 🤦♀️ You are so very wise, as I’ve quickly learned from reading your posts. 👍🙌🏼 So if you can make a less than perfect retirement decision, anyone can!
Hi Karen, An interesting outcome was that we checked with our adult children and they encouraged us to go for it. I thought they and our grandsons would visit often, but it didn't turn out that way.
The word “retirement” conjures up many different things for people. To some, it is a long-awaited reward for a lifetime of work. To others, it signals the end of one's usefulness and relevance.
Your book just came today from Amazon! I plan to order more for all my family and friends! I love the arrangement in “Lessons”, rather than “Chapters”. It’s so good to be helped to be mindful (one of the lessons) in approaching aging, rather than just letting these years happen and then wondering what went wrong or what could have been done more thoughtfully. (And the cover is so pretty to me, the green, and the symbolic window.🤗)
My husband 'retired' 12 years ago.
But after 3 months of dissatisfaction, he knew it wasn't for him and when he was headhunted, he took up the position and hasn't looked back. At 72, he's perfectly content.
My life didn't change. I was a fiction writer and a homemaker - that continued and continues to this day. I'm content.
Together, we are content with our choices. Mostly, we're mindful that life can change on the spin of a coin, so we enjoy what we share right now.
Oooh this is a good one Janice! Thank you.
Testing out retirement is brilliant advice that we will keep in mind (although we aren't retiring in the near future).
I can appreciate what you said about thinking about a place in the spring and summer but neglecting the nasty months of winter. We recently went to look at a smaller home in a spectacular location. Had we seen it in the summer we likely would be living there now but it was winter. A warm winter day, yet the home was chilly (wood burning stove heated the house). The following week our valley got more than 30 degrees Celsius (no joke) colder. I can't imagine how cold that house was during that cold snap. Thankfully we looked at it in the winter!
Hi Donna,
What a great story! What I hadn't realized about Olympia were the cloudy skies - and being north of where I was less daylight in the winter - which you are probably well aware of. I missed the California sunshine and my family. But we saw bald eagles and deer which were so special on the plus side.
again a wonderful post!! Thank you!!
"Writing this newsletter has been the perfect solution."
I hope it has been as meaningful to YOU, Janice, as it has been for all of us who read you every week and learn something.
Oh, Sharron, Thank you so much for being a faithful reader - the newsletter has been a lifesaver for me in so many ways.
Retirement planning is a thing. I retired without really retiring—I changed my lifestyle and started writing—and found I was really out of sorts in such a short time.
I keep telling my husband to try and imagine what his retirement will look like, but he can't seem to imagine it, not yet.
I'm bringing visionary to him. I want to move from where we're living into an area more suitable for aging in place. I envision a home we never have to "get away from" — but that holds us in place because of its sheer beauty and versatility. I've lived in three places that housed these desires, so I know it's possible.
We're dedicating the next year or so to finding such a place, first visiting, and then returning to confirm, and then renting for a year so we still have an out if finding it isn't "the place."
Your story drove home the level of importance in planning and testing before committing.
I consider myself a sojourner, I've lived in many places in my lifetime. My husband has lived in two states and pretty much been in the same area for years.
I'm learning how to compromise and slow myself down for him... if I had it my way I'd already have moved to a new place and tested it out then—for me, that's all part of the adventure.
Great piece, you validated what I'm planning.
Thank you for sharing your 'retirement' story, Janice.
There's a lovely Substack called Encourage Meant. The authors 'retired' and bought a farm in France. They created what they call their 'Encouragement Manifesto'. It's a list of 10 things that they value in their lives... something they created together. I believe they have used that as a framework for their next 'chapter'. I think it's a wonderful way to think about retirement... before choosing a state to live in, a house, a boat, or whatever we think we want to do. It has definitely given me cause to think about what's important at this phase of my life.
Hi Heather, What an important point that is and actually the first step in the process.
That was very interesting - while many plan financially for retirement few give a thought to how they will spend all that free time. Heard from many a wife that it is a huge adjustment to having a husband around full time - My SIL put it best when told my brother "please go back to work :) they've gotten used to it now but it was a big adjustment!
The second issue is health - this is what worries me the most - seen more than one active healthy 70 get waylaid by illness - it's difficult to find good information on living not only long but in excellent health - I just finished Netflix How to Live to a 100 Secrets of the Blue Zones - mind blowing to see a 100 year old man as healthy and active as a 40 year old - no surprise that our western diet is extremely bad for our long term health. i
Hi Rob, I am checking into the Blue Zone Secrets. I just read Outlive: The Science & Art of Longevity by Peter Attia, which had some good suggestions as well about life span and health span:
Gets a ton of positive reviews - will definitely check it out
I loved this post, and it gave me so much to think about. Hubs and I are steadily moving toward retirement and have a plan, but we haven't tested it out at all. I've had a taste of downshifting by moving to working for myself, and that's been a massive adjustment. I feel like Hubs is in for a major adjustment period!
Wow thank you for sharing, Janice. This has so much insight. It’s so kind of you to share your lessons learned. I’m going to have my husband read this pronto. We keep going around in crazy circles as to where to live. One day it’s on the coast of Costa Rica, the next day it’s Cincinnati, then we waver back to the idea of Storrs, Connecticut, then over to the coast of northern Mexico, then back to Washington, D.C., and around and around.🤦♀️ I think the only way to decide is what you suggest, trying first... trying the locations and trying the planned-on pursuits and activities in each location. We want our adult children to have a say too (just to complicate everything more. 🙈) And I don’t know how realistic we’re being in any of our ideas. 🤦♀️ You are so very wise, as I’ve quickly learned from reading your posts. 👍🙌🏼 So if you can make a less than perfect retirement decision, anyone can!
Hi Karen, An interesting outcome was that we checked with our adult children and they encouraged us to go for it. I thought they and our grandsons would visit often, but it didn't turn out that way.