Mi Casa Es Su Casa

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313 Blackstone Avenue
Ithaca, New York 14850
607-255-4405

Mi Casa – Su Casa

I think I know a great deal about retirement. I've been thinking about it, studying it for almost 30 years. I produced a whole series of television programs on the topic back in the 1970s and 80s. I've written a newspaper column about it for almost 10 years. I've written two books on the topic. I've spoken with and interviewed hundreds of people. And, over the years I've conducted a good number of workshops - training sessions on the topic.

But, you know, even after all of that, I’m not sure I've got it right. I retired seven years ago---but not really. After a couple of months, I was bored. I missed work. I missed the interaction with people. I missed not being involved in projects, challenging myself and if you can imagine it, having deadlines. I went back to work on a part time basis and I'm still at it.

I guess I've decided that's the beauty of retirement. Some people see lazy days, traveling, golfing, spending more time with the grand children. In fact, whenever you read about someone who is retiring, they inevitably say, "I'm going to spend more time on my (boat, hobbies, golfing, fishing) and more time with the grand children." Hey, there's nothing wrong with that. I enjoy some of those things too.

I never really conducted a research study but my basic feeling is that most of us don't spend enough time in really planning what we really want to do in retirement. During my 30 years of looking at this topic I asked a good number of people a good number of questions about what they were going to do in retirement. What surprised me was the number of people who, it appeared, did not spend a great deal of time thinking about this basic question.

What were some of their responses?

Helen (45 years old): My husband and I haven't decided. We've talked about it.

Sam (70 years old): I worried about being retired, especially when I had to turn in my key to the office. I thought I would miss work a lot, and I did in the beginning, but later on I didn't really. I've found plenty to do around the house. I volunteer some of my time with RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and we still have plenty of time left for travel and seeing the grandchildren.

Harriet (54 years old): Leisure time is really going to be a problem for me in retirement. I'm an administrative assistant in the office, and this job is a large part of my life. I'm going to need something in retirement to take the place of this job.

John (54 years old): I will be retiring in six years and I want a change of pace. What will I do? I don't know.

When you retire you will have about 40 or more hours that you used to work that will have to be occupied in some manner. A retirement advisor once told me, "If you can't come up with at least 30 things you would like to do, you're not a good candidate for retirement."

Most retirees eventually find that they need to do more than watch TV, play golf, fish, read, or spend time with the grandchildren. More than one retiree has said, "For the first couple of weeks it was great. But, after a month, I had trouble adjusting to life without a job." You, as a future retiree, should be prepared to deal with "retirement shock" and how you will handle it.

Regardless of the amount of time you spend planning, it will not be easy moving from a work pattern to a retirement pattern. Today, many people retire reluctantly, unhappy to leave the job or the working environment. A good number of retirees have no plans, ambitions or dreams. In many cases, when they retire, they are fighting depression and boredom. The irony of this situation is most people have talents and abilities that can be channeled into meaningful activities.

How can we adjust? We have to alter our thinking about the worth of the newly found time in our lives. We have to find in this time the activities that will provide a sense of accomplishment, productivity, importance, responsibility and fellowship that we used to obtain from a paid job. In many cases, it is possible to find activities that can supply the same kinds of satisfaction found in a job.

If we enjoyed contact with people in the workplace, we can look for activities that will allow us ample opportunities to meet and work with all kinds of people. If we enjoyed the creative aspects of our occupation, we can look for activites that will allow us opportunities to express ourselves creatively in retirement.

Retirement is not a problem. It can be an opportunity that can allow us the freedom to pick and choose. And, unlike what happens at a job, you're the one deciding what to do and when to do it.

Now, doesn't that sound interesting?