As famous, or perhaps infamous, gonzo journalist Hunter S. Thompson once said, “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” Living your best retirement life is the perfect time to
Retirement is your opportunity to squeeze those last bits of joy from yourself, to finally do what you’ve always wanted to do. But how do you live your best retirement life and make sure that you leave this life with no regrets? If you’ve invested with intelligence, you could potentially be looking at thirty to forty years of retirement. What lessons do you need to learn before you start your journey?
First, and most important, remember that you have to actively seek out your dreams. Don’t just let yourself settle and become complacent- make that phone call, visit your friends and family, and reconnect!
Second, searching for happiness is a wild goose chase. Your bucket list, comfort, and seeing happiness as a goal to be reached- just slow down and do what you want. Go see the world, learn a new language, do something because you want to. You are responsible for your own happiness, and only your own happiness, and that is only found in the present.
Something to make your transition into retirement easier is to make sure you are not alone. Without the comfort and routine of a daily job, it can be a challenge to avoid the doldrums from your retirement and to become withdrawn. Making positive social connections, perhaps by taking up a new hobby or joining an organization, can be a good way to avoid this outcome and make your retirement a happy one.
Another important strategy to enjoy your retirement is to make sure that you are exercising regularly. Good health isn’t a guarantee as we age, but there are light exercises that can make your health slightly easier to maintain. Even just 30 minutes a day of light aerobic exercise can be enough—definitely not a massive commitment.
Finally, and most importantly, remember that this is not the end of your life. With the potential to live for as long as you worked over the course of your life, there are many things you can do that will make your retirement the best years of your life.
Remember to talk to a financial professional about your retirement so that you can live your best retirement life.
