Our happiness after retirement hinges on our pursuits. And the more pursuits we have, and the more diverse they are, the happier we’ll be. The worst part of retirement is losing our identity. The best part is finding a new one.

Retirement Takes Work

Michael Amoroso | Oct 25, 2023

HumbleDollar

I’m not so sure.

Retirement is part of a long journey. We aren’t going to change our personality, the things we enjoy or don’t because we no long are employed. 

Attitude, health and financial resources are the keys to a happy retirement. Attitude being the most important in my opinion which includes understanding that just because you retire, you don’t have to be someone different or forced to do new things. 

A person who likes to be around others may be a joiner, people like me have a few friends and no interest in joining an organization of people like me – that thought is scary in any case. 

Where I live I could participate in many activities from the dreaded pickle ball, to cards, pool, bus trips, etc. I choose very few, except golf with a small group of guys in our community. Others seem to be in the thick of everything. 

I’ve been retired 14 years and never been bored, unless by choice. I attribute that be being ready to retire and knowing it – and not being cajoled into the delights of “early” retirement. 

I had no plan, no goals and my wife made it clear her routine wasn’t going to change because I wasn’t off to the office at 6:00 am. So be it.

After all these years I sense a new phase in our lives. I wish it were otherwise, but I accept it and will go with the flow. My wife’s mobility issues limit what we can do. Travel will change, even shopping is changing, what I do to help is changing, but none of that has to do with retirement, but life’s journey. 

Thankfully we are retired, still with a good attitude, reasonable health, not financially stressed and occasionally bored by choice.