Rethinking Retirement: Finding Joy In Every Year

Retirement is often painted as a distant paradise: a time when you can kick back on sandy beaches, sipping pina coladas under the sun, and enjoying the freedom of endless leisure. We've all bought into this dream, and I'll admit I'm guilty of it too. Throughout our lives, we toil and save, diligently building a nest egg to ensure our "Golden" days will be nothing short of spectacular, full of travel, relaxation, and the ability to support our children and spend more time with family.

But let's pause for a moment and contemplate this: are retirement years truly the "golden" years, or could every year from now could be golden in its own unique way? In recent times, I've come to the realisation that retirement, in all its glory, is somewhat of a mirage. As working individuals, we innately crave purpose, routine, and something to occupy our time.

I recently attended a stand-up comedy event, where the comic shared a humorous yet enlightening story about his father's retirement. This man had dedicated 30 years of his life to a bank, and on the first day of retirement, he found himself utterly lost, unsure of how to fill his day. There was no preparation for this life transition, no guidance on what to expect because, after all, it's the natural progression of life: you work, and then you retire.

Yet, it begs the question: what is retirement, and what do you do when you retire? The most common answers I receive are, "travel the world" or "do things I love." But why wait until you're 60 or 65? I understand that these desires may take time and resources to realise fully, but it's a reminder that we've moved away from traditional retirement for a reason.

Our grandparents, for instance, even in their advanced years, still desired to work, to rise early, and to engage with their work responsibilities. They maintained their connection to their life's work for as long as possible. This transition becomes even more challenging for professionals and salaried individuals. What should they do once retirement is upon them? While the idea of globe-trotting and experiencing new cuisines might sound appealing, in reality, most of us long for our familiar home-cooked meals after a couple of weeks of foreign fare.

All of these thoughts raise a simple yet profound question: Is retirement still a relevant concept today? If it is, how can we make it a more fruitful and fulfilling stage of life?

In the world we live in now, traditional retirement is slowly fading away. Business owners, for instance, often love going to work as it gives them a sense of purpose and structure to their days. Retirement for them is more about taking time off whenever they can, rather than retiring in the traditional sense. For professionals, the prospect of retirement presents a far more complex challenge. What's the next step after leaving a lifelong career? It's a question that keeps many up at night.

Planning is the key to addressing these questions and challenges. It's not just about accumulating wealth for retirement; it's about creating a strategy that enables you to lead a fulfilling life every day, both now and in the future. If every penny you earn is invested and saved for some far-off retirement, your relationship with money can become strained. Money is a product of hard work, and it should be enjoyed along the way, whether it's by maintaining your current lifestyle or taking a well-deserved vacation.

Retirement, in essence, is what you choose to make of it. It's about finding a balance between work and leisure that resonates with your unique lifestyle and personal aspirations. It's about reshaping your relationship with money and, most importantly, finding joy and meaning in each and every year, not just in those designated as "retirement." After all, life is a continuous journey, and every step along the way can be your own golden year.