The Truth About Retirement

by Cathy Severson

Your vision of an active and fulfilling retirement not be as easy as you think. A good retirement is possible. The new aging theory shows that life for seniors can be satisfying if they are willing to look at the possibilities available and don't settle for the dated image of growing old. A major financial services company recently conducted a survey and found as many as two-thirds of retirees are dissatisfied with their retirement life. How can that be? This is finding was true regardless of their financial situation.

People have worked hard their whole life to reach a point where they are free to do what they want without anyone making demands on their time or energy. Shouldn't this be the happiest time of their lives?

People who haven't engaged in any planning about their life before retiring follow an interesting pattern. The first days and weeks of retirement are often approached as the vacation they always dreamed about. They get to sleep in as late as they want, leisurely read the paper over a steaming cup of coffee.

The days maybe filled with catching up on small projects around the house that they put on hold. Cleaning out closets, organizing photos, and completing minor home repairs top many people's list.

Spending time with children, grandchildren and friends also becomes a priority. Sports, such as golf can now be enjoyed more often. Trips are planned and taken.

Sometime, usually in month three or four of retirement, a thought trickle's into the mind that is faintly restless and uneasy. It might sound something like, "Is this all there is?" The days may be harder to fill on one hand, or there are so many things to do, there is little time to enjoy the activities.

In the worst case scenario, people become depressed, isolate and spend their time puttering around the house and watching television. Other's fill their days with tasks and activities, but lack any true sense of joy or engagement.

The boomer generation watched their parents and grandparents go through retirement with varying degrees of success and do not want to follow in their footsteps. They understand that twenty or thirty years can be a long time to only play golf or spend with leisure activities.

It is important to remember retirement is not an extended vacation. Learning how to play again and engaging in leisure activities is a critical component of a successful retirement. Neither leisure activities not living solely for children and grandchildren is enough to make this a satisfying time.

Psychologists now know retirement is a significant time in adult development. There is the opportunity to grow, seek out new challenges and engage in meaningful activities. Retirement satisfaction will not happen on its own. Just like any other worthwhile endeavor, it requires thought, planning and effort.

Retirement can be a time to rekindle old dreams and discover new ones. It can be a time to have daring adventures, take new risks, and make a difference in the world. There are unlimited options to be explored and experienced. Knowing who you are and creating a vision for your new life will allow you to start the journey prepared and with a fresh perspective.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1505271