Everyone’s personal outlook can differ during our “Golden Years” of retirement. When it comes to our physical and mental state there are some notable differences.
‘Mover & Shaker." There is the person who is always on the go, with a bucket list that seemingly never runs dry. Often times their entire day is filled with friendly meetups or some sort of activity. For this type of “Go Getter” they maintain a level of fitness that incorporates daily moderately intensity physical activity. Since they regularly exercise they have greater stamina and mobility than the general aging population.
“Student.” This type of person has always been a Lifelong Learner since it is important to stay mentally sharp and engaged with the world. They “charge their batteries” when taking classes or hanging out at the library. Often times this person will take vacations specifically focusing on an educational component to learn new things. Often times these are places with historical importance or experiencing new cultures.
“Black Cloud.” Then we have the person who hasn’t experienced a smooth transition into retirement. Due to their melancholy outlook they often times have bouts of anxiety since their focus is on the perceived loss of career identity, having to establish new relationships and finding things to do to pass the time.
“Outside The Box." Then we have the person who looks at retirement as another chapter in their lives where now they can concentrate on doing some form of entrepreneurship. According to some recent studies this particular group ranges in the age category between 55 to 64 years old. These people often times have a sense of purpose in retirement. Having this mindset has additional benefits from a psychological, and physical perspective since they are engaged in a new and exciting endeavor.
“Traveler.” This individual wants to make up for lost time and “see the world”. Numerous surveys have indicated this is one of the highlights of retirement for many people. This type of retirement has some incredible emotional and physical benefits. It can drastically lower stress levels, enhance open-mindedness and achieve a levelled emotional state.
“Scrooge.” This individual is so use to saving for retirement that it is now a challenge to relax the purse strings. According to a study by the Journal of Personal Finance it indicated over 50% of retirees were apprehensive in using their savings. This reservation was based on some genuine concerns such as unknown future medical care costs and their investments being topsy turvy in the stock market.
“Servant Heart.” A high percentage of retirees have a desire to give back through volunteerism and donating to worthy causes. This creates a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Volunteering helps to stay active, keep up with social interactions and it is a way to prevent loneliness in retirement.
“Giver.” Although their heart is in the right place often times these individuals will be giving money to younger family members that may result in future strain on their own long-term finances. Now, there is nothing inherently wrong with helping a family member. However, it becomes a problem when family members start becoming a financial burden. This can have a ripple affect on financial retirement plans. These individuals need to realize that their savings are earmarked for specific purposes that will assist them for the next 20 to 30 years in retirement. Unfortunately, they often times listen to their heart instead of their brain.
“Semiretired.” These are the individuals who can not financially fully retire due to lack of funds. According to a recent survey over 50% of respondents indicated they plan to work past the traditional retirement age of 65 years. Surprisingly, 11% of respondents plan to work into their 80’s. However, to never stop working is not much of a retirement strategy as health problems and limited job opportunities keep older adults out of the workforce. Ultimately, there is no easy solution other to start saving as much as you can, as early as you can.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There is an old proverb that states "show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are." This translates into surrounding yourself with the right people. The value of making connections with like-minded people and nurturing those relationships is priceless in this new retirement lifestyle.
About The Author: Steve is a Christian Blogger, Videographer, and Personal Trainer. His content creation focuses on Societal Lifestyles, Health/Fitness and Faith.
