Looking forward to retirement… or not? What happens when you are old enough to retire but are just fearful about this huge life-changing step? Ron Villano offers his insights and thoughts on releasing the fear of retirement.
Dear Ron — I have been very grateful for so many things in my life. Good family, children, friends. I have a wonderful career and I have enough resources to retire on. I am near to 70 years old, now living by my myself, and am starting with some of the health issues that comes along with “old age.” Since I’m still working but can retire at any time, people ask me “why keep working?” The answer is that I’m fearful of making this final decision because that will mean that I am entering into the “last part of my life.” As I have already watched friends and family pass on, I find myself more worried. I know it’s time to take care of me and enjoy so how do I get a different perspective on this necessary transition without the fear of retirement? — Not Old Yet.
Dear Not Old Yet — Life and lifestyle transitions can be a very stressful time for anyone. You are facing two at once: being in your senior years AND leaving your career. No matter if you just jump in and retire or you take a more gradual step-back approach, both will require you to be mentally ready to make the change.
Mental Inventory
Take an inventory of what your fear of retirement looks like — is it, for example, not being needed or forgotten? Is it the loss or change of work relationships? Or is it an old idea implanted from your past about getting “old” and “frail?” These types of thoughts take up space in your mind’s garage and can often hold you back from taking reality based steps because you are trying to live a “what if” life.
Check in on yourself
So you should actually begin the process of retirement before you retire by checking in on yourself. Consider adding talk therapy to your journey to act as a bit of a tour guide to help you along. When you put it all together, understanding what may be holding you back often holds the key on how to let go and move forward.
