Take a minute and think about it. Is your life comfortable, or just familiar? Having a comfortable life means you have created the life you want, and there are no immediate changes you want to make. Familiar, often means you’re on automatic and just trying to get through the “to do list.” So, what do we do? We stay in our “comfort zone” and tell ourselves things like, “my life is not bad, I'm okay”. Again, think about that! Is “okay” what you are willing to settle for? I hope not!

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Let’s prioritize you on that “to do list”. The truth is, you are capable of doing amazing things in your life, but it often involves questioning your beliefs, challenging your assumptions, and stepping outside your comfort zone. I think it's worth it, and I can help you with that.

 

Let’s work together to make those changes in your life. I would love to hear from you if you are interested in doing that.

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It's Retirement Time!

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You have made some great decisions in your life, make another by preparing and planning for your retirement journey.

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Six Stages of Retirement

 

Now, it is retirement time. Many people have planned financially, but perhaps not given as much thought to the psychological impact. There is an enormous emotional component throughout the transition of retirement and preparation and support are invaluable.

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1. Pre-Retirement: Planning Time
Long conversations with friends and family. Meetings with financial planners, HR and managers. The retirement date is set, a plan is in place to wrap up work projects, and a goodbye celebration is planned.

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2. The Big Day: Smiles, Handshakes, and Farewells
Retirement involves multiple goodbyes. Goodbyes to routines and relationships with coworkers of many years. This is often marked by a celebration where people share their good wishes.

3. Honeymoon Phase: I'm Free!
The retirement celebrations are over. No deadlines to meet or schedules to follow, yay! Finally, start those home projects, go on that much needed vacation or do nothing for a while.

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4. Disappointment and the Other Three D’s:
Like all honeymoons, the honeymoon stage comes to an end, and loss is part of the course. Loss of relationships, structure, and identity. People often face what is referred to as the three D’s: Depression, now what? Decline, physical appearance, and exercise take a back seat. Divorce, the divorce rate for people 65 plus has tripled since 1990. 

5. Self-Exploration: Building a New Identity
Exploring what is next, there are inevitable self-exploration questions to be answered, such as, "Who am I now? What is next for me? What is my purpose?" Answering these questions are critical in providing a sense of closure and creating a bridge to moving forward.

6. The Satisfaction of Settling in

Next, a settling in process happens and a new identity is in the process of being created. Finally, the person transitions and can enjoy this phase of their life with a new sense of satisfaction.