Retirement is and should be the opposite of what some see as a full time vacation. It is not perpetual play, nor should it be. It is a meaningful time in one's life for which planning in advance is advised. Like most things in life, if the plan is simple, realistic, and practical, its implementation will provide for success.
The planning, of course, will likely center on financial and health matters. Can't spend what you don't have and can't spend at all if in ill health. Taking these two matters into account in the pre-retirement planning makes possible true enjoyment of the actual retirement.
For the sake of this post, it is assumed one has properly addressed the financial and health aspects of retirement. So now here are key elements for the retired years: maintenance, physical, intellect, and giving back.
Maintenance refers to those necessary activities required for our day-to-day lives. Mowing the lawn, cleaning the house, doing the laundry, shopping for groceries, etc. While these activities are present pre-retirement, once in retirement we have far more flexibility on when we undertake them. Instead of being more or less forced to do the grocery shopping over the weekend or on the way home from work, we can now choose a more convenient and less crowded time. The maintenance activities will still need to be completed, but in retirement you can flexibly control the when.
Physical refers to strenuous physical activity and exercise. Pure and simple, without daily strenuous physical activity and exercise, health issues will be more frequent and severe as we age. Find those physical activities that provide aerobic and anaerobic conditioning, and that you enjoy (or at least can tolerate). Dedicate the time each and every day to completing them. Further, including competitive sports is also highly recommended. Not only will it add to the physical exercise routine, but will also provide a social outlet.
Intellect refers to daily intellectual pursuits. Reading, writing, debating, solving the New York Times crossword puzzle. Find and undertake enjoyable intellectual activity that is as strenuous for your mind as is the physical exercise you undertake daily for your body. Keeping the mind active is crucial to a long and happy retirement. So as not to be confused, watching television, mindlessly surfing the Internet, and similar activities are not intellectual activity.
Giving back simply refers to finding a volunteer activity that provides some challenge and accomplishment. Strongly suggested is a volunteer activity that includes interacting with others, such as being a mentor or tutor. There is not enough to be said for giving of some time each week to assist in an area of passion. By products of giving back can be the joy of social interaction with others, as well as intellectual stimulation.
Scheduling physical exercise and intellectual pursuits on a daily basis, combined with regular weekly maintenance and giving back activities will permit time and space to pursue those activities that provide personal pleasure; avocations if you will. If fortunate, the physical exercise, intellectual pursuits, and giving back may also fall into the category of avocations. So much the better.
Travel. Painting. Riding a Harley. Gardening. Walking on the beach. Fishing. Whatever activity provides that pleasure you seek from retirement can be enriched by maintenance, physical, intellectual, and giving back activities. It is neither feasible nor realistic to plan to spend eight hours per day in pursuit of your avocation. But, it is entirely possible to enjoy your avocation as part of the other activities comprising a happy retirement.
With this simple approach, retirement can be fulfilling and thoroughly enjoyable.
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