During the portion of a women's business meeting where the group was introducing themselves and telling the group of their business goals, I noticed an emerging pattern. Almost all of the women were “tired of working so hard and looking to retire as soon as possible”. As I awaited my turn I began to think, “if they are so "tired" why on earth would they want to "re-tire" or just get tired again?
Most Americans are anxiously looking forward to that wonderful moment when they can transition from working into more leisure pursuits. But what will they actually do with themselves when the time comes? Most people at least attempt to prepare for retirement financially but what about emotionally or actively? Many do not know and instead of enjoying their newfound leisure time they simply stop. Somewhere along the path of raising a family, making sure the children are entertained and educated, and funding that retirement, they forget to cultivate leisure interests of their very own. And so, they become re-tired, tired again of not know what they want out of life.
As we get older our interests do change over the years. However, the list below will give you some ideas of how to prepare for your “Revive-ment”!
- Sit down and make a list of all the things you ever wanted to do in your life. Here the sky is the limit! Don't limit yourself by, “I'm too old for that” or whatever your current excuse is. Write down anything and everything. Write down at least 100 things.
- Cross off the ones you have actually done
- Now cross off the ones that you really don't care about any more
- Set a goal to do at least 1 of these things this year
- Get out your address book and find someone you haven't connected with in a long time and give them a call or write a letter. Don't be embarrassed if it has been a long time. A couple of years ago I did this with my best friend from high school. We jumped right in like we'd never missed a minute. Have a friend with a severe or terminal illness and just don't know what to say? Acknowledge the illness but talk about life. The best gift you can give them is that reconnection and a taste of normalcy during an experience that can feel like it is reeling out of control. Help them achieve one of their goals. Just do it! You will be better for it.
- Choose one night a week (or start with one night a month with a goal to increase it) and do something just for you! Go on a real date with your spouse, take ballroom dancing lessons, learn a sport, take a walk, go to the beach, you name it!
- Check out 43 Things to organize and share your goals and get support for following through with them. Remember, Walt Disney said, “if you can dream it, you can do it”
- Enjoy Reviving!
Barbara Ingram-Rice has been an Occupational Therapist for nearly 25 years. Barbara and her husband Wilbur love to travel and plan to do more as Barbara moves toward her “revive-ment”.
