Rich Retirement #Sundaystills

No. This is not a wish I was wealthy or how to build a wealthy retirement post. However, it is a reminder. Although your working life kept you busy, engaged, rewarded and hopefully fulfilled, many of us dread retirement thinking it is dull, boring, with nothing to do or accomplish. Fortunately, your retirement life does not need to be a stark contrast to your working life.

The weekly photo theme is “stark” that barren, empty landscape view like the below shots. If retirement looked like this, it would be a dreaded change from your busy working life. B-O-R-I-N-G !

Retirement should be thought of as a new chapter. A chapter that isn’t barren and empty, contrasting starkly to your full working life. Rather than have nothing to do, retirement should and can be filled with opportunities. Opportunities to pursue passions, hobbies, and experiences that probably had to take a back seat during your busy working years. It can and should be a time of richness, vibrancy and filled with activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

The possibilities are endless. A rich retirement can be a period of

• Growth,
• Adventure
• Contentment.

Growth

Take the time to continue learning. Since I’ve retired, I’ve continued my interest in technology and have worked to improve my photography. Sometimes the new learning is fun. I’ve enjoyed doing more photography and blogging. Other times the new learning is a frustrating learning curve. Here’s a short list (not including my more recent construction activity):

• Blogging
• Website maintentance
• Videography and video editing
• Databases including my camping spot database and my more recent books read tracker
• Diving into basic linux to setup a raspberry pi device.
• Speaking of diving, I got dive certified
• Pickle ball
• Paddling on the river
• Gardening

Although, I’d say I’m in expert in nothing. I know that learning something new is a great gray matter exercise. Finding something enjoyable to spend time on is one of the joys of a rich retirement. Doing something that matters to you is a stark difference from working on something important to your boss.

Adventure:

Through the years, I’ve met many people who talk about traveling when they retire. Then they wait too long. They end up with health and/or mobility issues or pressing obligations take them off course. If you want to go see something all I can say is do it and do it early. If you’re a planner like I am, write out a list of destinations. Plan the best time of year to go. Create a task list to make it happen. Maybe you prefer to be more spontaneous. Log into a travel site or two. Find a tour or cruise and sign yourself up. The first step may feel really challenging. You’ll question your sanity. Trust me when I say, taking the first step is far easier than regretting not following through with your desire. Regrets are hard to erase.

By finding adventure or having adventure find me, I’ve built a rich retirement. It is far from bleak and never tires of being interesting.

Life has little meaning if day after day you’re staring at four walls; especially stark walls. Get out and see nature, culture, and history. It is everywhere even the next county or township or state over.

Contentment:

I have been able to see some magical places once we set out and traveled. Mostly it has been combined with a camping adventure. Those experiences bring wonder to my world. We enjoy the lack of routine. We follow a path of continuous discovery. Gathering new experiences makes our retirement richer than I’d ever imagined.

He who is contented is rich.

Lao Tzu

Don’t dread retirement. It’ll only be a stark difference if you decide to spend it doing nothing. Instead of boring and bleak, make it rich!

Thanks for stopping by. If you’re retired share in the comments how it compares to your pre-retired life. Or if not retired yet, what’s the first thing you’d like to accomplish or do.