I noted recently that Theresa retired a few weeks ago, and that my work has slowed a bit. Theresa and I are in a transition period, while she pivots from full time work to something else, and both of our schedules change.
Which raises the question: What’s Next?
I hope this note doesn’t sound like complaining. It isn’t meant to be. It is a reflection that our rhythms are changing…and sometimes I don’t like change, even if the change is good for me.
I joke with some of my friends that Theresa and I have read every book about retirement over the past two years. I know I’ve read at least 20 books on the topic. I started with books about “how to make sure you save enough for retirement”, moved to books about planning for healthcare in retirement, and then read about activities in retirement.
One book in particular, “How To Retire” (Christine Benz) was a useful read, because it combined all of the topics in one book. She interviewed 20 experts in the retirement field, and the essays included how to save, how to plan for taxes, Medicare, activity level, etc.
That said, I am still not ready to retire. Work does something for me that nothing else does. I find my work to be mentally challenging. I do problem solving and pattern recognition, and I do it for small clients (companies with less than 25 employees) so I have an opportunity to connect with really smart people on important problems.
None of my other activities “check the box” that work checks. I read, exercise, socialize, travel….but work is the only place where I have the opportunity to problem-solve on a regular basis.
*****
Retirement (life after work) is a personal matter. Hopefully everyone who reads this will have the chance to choose what they want to do in their later years.
I don’t know what that looks like yet…..
With Love,
Hal
