The Spanish word for retirement is literally ‘jubilación’, so they don’t seem to be on the fence about what retirement means to them. If you are worried about it, let’s shift the perspective: you have spent years working every day of your life, and possibly for someone else’s company, and now, you have an opportunity to make everything about you, the people that are important to you and the things you want to do. Here is a list of some ideas to find meaning in your life after retirement, because we all need a little inspiration sometimes:
Keep yourself mentally active
A great way to stay mentally active in life after retirement, is to learn something new. According to this source, you can even do so for free: “A number of colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, allow seniors to audit courses at no charge, according to Senior Planet, a tech-themed resource for people aged 60 or older.” If you are a bit of a homebody there are even courses out there that you can do online for free on sites such as Coursera. You could learn a language, take a writing course, take a psychology course or deepen your knowledge of Greek mythology — whatever your heart’s desire, your are sure to find something that you love. You can also stay mentally active by going to theatrical shows, art galleries and science exhibitions, to name a few. Don’t be bogged about age, keep your mind young, creative, active and curious in all manner of ways.
Help yourself by helping others
One of the best ways to find meaning in life after retirement, not to mention gain a new perspective, is to volunteer. There are quite literally thousands of organisations who are constantly looking for extra help, so find a cause you really believe in. Volunteering is an incredibly fulfilling use of your time, insight and expertise. So go out there and make a difference in someone else’s life.
Share your knowledge
Retiring doesn’t always mean ceasing to work, it just means you get to use your time to do the things you actually want to do. A great way of spending time in life after retirement, is to teach. This Everyday Health article says “If you were an accountant before retirement, you might volunteer your services at tax time to help other seniors. If you were a teacher, consider reading to, or recording books for, the visually impaired.” Find interesting, creative ways to make a difference, with the skills you already have.
Stay physically active
Keeping physically active is extremely important for retirees, and the benefits of doing so are manifold — with ample research backing the findings. If you haven’t exercised in a while, start slowly with gentle walks around your neighbourhood, but as you gain confidence and your fitness levels are starting to take off, consider joining a gym. According to this article “Not only will you get in some physical exercise, but you can also make friends and participate in self-reinforcing group activities...”. Gyms often have dance classes, pilates and yoga, for those amongst you who prefer not to use complicated equipment or spend your time on the treadmill.
Revisit your hobbies
Reading, playing golf, knitting, whatever it is that you always used to do but then just ‘didn’t have the time for’, it’s time to enjoy them once more. Not only that, you now have an opportunity to do something you never have. Learn to play squash, try your hand at table tennis or learn to play mahjong. Or perhaps you can do something that will really get the pulse racing. I knew an 80-year-old woman, albeit a feisty one, who decided she wanted a speed boat licence, and went for it. Whatever it is that you enjoy or whatever it is you have always wanted to try, now is your time to do it.
Write your story
Retirement gives you a time to stop, look back and reflect on your life thus far. It’s a time to acknowledge how far you’ve come and the incredible things you have achieved. We all have a story, so take some time to write yours down. This is a cathartic way to organise your thoughts, figure out how you feel, reflect and realise what you would like to do in your future. Who knows, you may even land up publishing it, and imagine what it would mean to your family to read stories about you that they may not have heard.
Start a project
There is nothing more meaningful than finding something you wake up every morning and look forward to, something that you throw yourself into with your entire heart and soul. For example, how about finding a house to renovate, redo or fix? You could then sell it for a higher rate than what you purchased it for, or maybe you will decide that you did such a good job, that you might just sell your current home and live at the new house instead. Better yet, is to choose a property to renovate in another country, which would serve as a great excuse for frequent travel.
Does finding a wonderful property to renovate or to enjoy your golden years in sound like a wonderful way to spend time in life after retirement? If so, then look no further than a gorgeous property in Calpe. Contact us to learn more about our extensive portfolio of villas in Calpe, where you are bound to find one that is perfect for this exciting new chapter of your life.
