I was at the dentist and as the doctor completed my work, the receptionist said, “Doctor, Sneha ma’am is a very active person, she goes to the gym, socializes, and participates in various activities in the apartment.” I smiled and said, “I’m enjoying my retired life.”
My gym trainer, a young boy commented, “You are chilling out and making the most of your life. You are so different from others of your age. I wonder if I will remain as enthusiastic as you when I’m your age.” I replied, “Well, it took me years to figure out what makes me happy. I chose to have a happy retired life.” You have many years to reach there, keep working.
While planning finances for retirement, one must also be mentally prepared to embrace a new lifestyle. The demands of the new phase are dynamically different, and we must scale up. As it’s popularly said, every new chapter of your life’s journey will demand a new version of you – a version that is wiser, more confident, and stronger.
In four decades of working life, I was probably stressed as I’d worked sincerely, and strived hard to live up to the expectations from family or workplace. There was no time for cultivating hobbies. The combination of social norms, their hypocrisies, and the changing family dynamics made me value my freedom and individuality even more. I became more adaptable and spiritually more aware.
I began to feel a burnout. I didn’t want to be alert and achieving all the time. I declared I’d retire at 50. However, that year led to another good phase at work; I changed cities and landed in Bangalore. When I turned 55, the pandemic hit, and I lost my job. I declared that even God wanted me to enjoy a retired life, and refused to look for another job. I happily put my legs up and retired from work. 😊 Mind you, I retired from working, not living.
The only plan for my retired life was to live leisurely. I wanted to live each day at its own pace, not be answerable to anyone for my actions, and to rest well. I decided to stop stretching myself. While working, even if I would travel, there’d be no time to simmer in the joy because I’d have to report to work the next day.
In my retired life, it was my time and convenience. I’m a happy soul because I live independently and follow a healthy lifestyle. I cook and eat what I like, travel, and engage in activities that keep me satisfied. The first thing I did after I retired was to move into my own flat and author my life story DESERVING. I took to social media, started trekking, remained engaged with my Rotary Lakeside club, continued to learn Argentine Tango dancing, went to the gym, and traveled more often.
It’s good to remember “Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials – much to live on and much to live for.” – Author Unknown
You make retirement look so fun and joyous. Thank you for showing the world that there is so much to look forward to in life. Retirement can be a beginning of something beautiful too. Keep living and loving life!
Thanks!! Yeah, retirement is a beautiful phase. It requires a different mindset.
Well said Sneha ,I resonate with your thoughts ,it’s high time we live for ourselves now and nurture our lost desires.
Yeah….. breaking patterns is the need of the hour.
Keep it up, my dear young girl, proud of you 🌷🌷🌷🌷.
Thanks you so much! 😊
So well expressed. It resonates with all retired people.. retired from work not from life.. enjoy this phase too.you have added fun and positivity to it.
Thanks dear! Retirement is easier if one accepts the new lifestyle.
After reading your blog, I feel like retiring soon 😄
That is so cute!
You have time dude. 😉
Beautiful 😻. Happy soul !
Ha ha…..Thank you!
Giving mystic vibes. Hope every retired person gets happy life and respect he deserves. Karma comes back. Every small or big act starts popping up in the new version. The things you feel guilty about surface on mind conveniently making you forget good things. Eventually good things are lived and the things unsaid or not done show up as outstanding balance. I feel life is strange. Sneha, I am happy that your mind is immuned to strange things. You live in free space of life.
Oh my! That’s a huge observation. I’m sure most retired folks are living happily.
I’m a simple person leading a simple life. 😎
Thought provoking. Definitely a lesson for our generation. After all, it’s all about choices and priorities I guess. Stay happy and keep going…
It’s awesome that you see a lesson in there. 🤩 Thanks for your good wishes. 😊
You are setting an example which many others men or women should follow. People remain attached to their kids their family or do not take care of themselves abd become dependent on family members for support.
This article and thought process should be an encouragement for others to follow.
Continue to enjoy your life which is surely envious to many like me.
It’s fine to be with family but what’s important is that one should not remain attached to the “status” /”designation” of their jobs. One should embrace the change in lifestyle. That’s crucial.
Hopefully, this blog reaches those people who need it the most.
Inspiring piece, Sneha. I remember you as a feee-spirited person always and glad that you carried it into your retired phase. Continue loving and living each moment…
Love always
Thanks dear! 😊
Well said and well lived ! You truly personify “Life is Beautiful !” 😍
So happy to see your happy face as you live life to the fullest in every moment and inspire all with simply ‘being’ ! 😍
Wah! Lovely compliments. Happy to receive them from another inspiring person – YOU. Thanks dear! 💖
That’s an amazing confession
I’m an open book. 😁
Lovely read Ma’am..and so much to absorb for all the generations. I like the fact that you’re living life your style, your terms.
It’s great that you benefit from the blog. 🤩
High time that I live on my terms, isn’t it?🤪