Tip 1: Be prepared for life to be different. That, of course, will vary from individual to individual
Tip 2: Allow yourself time to adjust. Be prepared to flow through the initial stage of your retirement. Do not try to fill your retirement with “stuff.”
Tip 3: Have a plan and then be flexible. One of the biggest issues many face when they retire is that they go from a schedule that is packed with activity to very little activity. Have a plan of what you want retirement to look like and be flexible to change. For example, you might be looking forward to read all those books stacked on the shelf but then find that while you enjoy reading you do not want to invest that much time in reading.
Tip 4: Allow yourself to do what you want when you want. Sleep late if you like. Watch TV or movies as the mood strikes, do chores when you want, engage in your fun activities and hobbies as you desire. If you are a schedule person, have your schedule and allow yourself to vary. Keep in mind almost nothing has to be done now. Your time is flexible.
Tip 5: Experiment with many ways to spend your time. Try new things. For example, I discovered that the local senior center is not for old folks but is active and vibrant. I joined the senior center fitness center which serves as a gym.
The senior center offers daily lunches, and I go periodically and have met others there. The center offers all sorts of classes. I attended a guitar class as well as a Laughter Yoga class. While I am not pursuing all of these activities, I am open to experimenting and discovering new people and things.
Tip 6: One of the most important aspects of a healthy and happy retirement is attitude. With that in mind look for the good and accept the bad. Be grateful for whatever you have. See retirement as a new adventure in your life.
Tip 7: Make a list of all things (big and small) you want to do in retirement. Then, each day, consult your list and choose whatever you want to do that day or that moment. Perhaps divide this list into size of task or priority of the task. For example, making an appointment may be a simple task with a high or low priority. Getting the car washed may also be a small task with a high or low priority. Shopping for a new appliance may be a moderate task and again may be high or low in priority. The list se4rvers as a reminder to what you WANT to do and allows you to pick and chose whatever is desirable in the moment.
Tip 8: Try not to judge or “should” on yourself for whatever you are doing. Common retirement shoulds include:
I should be accomplishing something (wash the car, clean house, sort garage, etc.). What do you WANT to do??
I should be doing chores. What do you WANT to do??
I should not be “wasting” time. What do you WANT to do??
I should not sleep in. What do you WANT to do??
I should not watch too much TV or movies. What do you WANT to do??
I should be productive. What do you WANT to do??
I should be working on all the projects I planned to do in retirement. What do you WANT to do??
I should spend more time with family and friends. What do you WANT to do??
I should be exercising more. What do you WANT to do??
Tip 9: Be fun and playful with yourself and others as you navigate through your new journey of life.
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