What’s your vision of growing older? We all know the myth of living happily ever after on the golf course on the one hand. Or the person who goes back to work because they don’t know how to fill their time.

After the first year or two of a ‘honeymoon’ phase, most retirees have either successfully made the transition or struggled. Even though the image of retirement is one of a carefree life, you may be surprised to learn that many people suffer during this phase of their lives. Certainly money can be a factor as to whether or not someone is satisfied, but it isn’t the only issue.

Researchers discovered four categories that people fall into after they have settled into retirement. If you’re already retired, which group do you belong? If you aren’t retired yet, which group do you most identify?

Four Categories of Retirement
At one end of the spectrum are the Clueless. This group may comprise as many as 40% of retirees. They may experience depression and loneliness. They are often bored with their free time choices. They feel the most disconnected from others. They report the least amount of planning or thinking about retirement beforehand.

The Aimless comprise another 22% of retirees. This group is still looking for a sense of satisfaction in retirement. They report feeling neither positive nor negative about retirement. Like the Clueless, they gave little forethought to retirement and are now trying to figure it out. Less than 20% had made plans for hobbies and only 36% have a notion of how much money they would need in their later years.

Directionless consist of 19% of retirees. This group is happy to adjust to a less frantic lifestyle and enjoys the lack of stress of work and raising a family. They are not interested in learning new things, finding meaningful work or getting hobbies. They don’t have any great aspirations, and therefore don’t experience much disappointment. They are content to putter around the house, enjoying their family and friends.

The Motivated Redirected are at the other end of the continuum with 19% of people. They view this period as one filled with new challenges, adventure and personal fulfillment. They have planned for retirement both financially and for activities. They are involved in travel, staying connected to family and friends, and live a healthy lifestyle. They are engaged in meaningful work that may be paid, or unpaid with challenging hobbies, or other leisure activities. They do not keeping busy for the sake of busy-ness, but want to fulfill a sense of destiny. Often there is a change in perspective from individual needs to being altruistic that in turn strengthens their sense of self.

The biggest factor that separates the Clueless, Aimless and Motivated Redirected is taking time to think about the future and plan for the life you want. Think about what is important to you and be willing to experiment with your life to find the enjoyment that can be had during the phase.

Cathy Severson, MS helps you make the most of your retirement. Baby boomers understand this isn’t your parents retirement. Find out how to make the rest of your life the best of your life with the complimentary e-book 7 Ingredients for a Satisfying Retirement at http://tinyurl.com/8moymb

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cathy_Severson
http://EzineArticles.com/?Four-Phases-of-Retirement—The-Truth-About-Being-Retired&id=2191421

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Plans to head south for a month after Christmas are still a go. Chuck has plenty of vacation and we won’t have to skimp on days due to my lack of vacation balance. In the meantime, I will focus on ramping up my blogging skills on Cheap Living Tips and getting BeyondArt developed.

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On the home front, we have been invaded by puppies. I brought home one of Kathleen’s miniature schnauzers (Midget, aka Mary Margaret or Midge) and Staci adopted an Akita mix (Madison). Midget has adopted Bruce, Staci’s husband. Kathleen tells me schnauzers pick their owners and that certainly is the case with this one. You can see them both on my video. The big boy is Max, our Chesie/Lab.

Of course, the how long question is out of our hands. None of us knows for sure whether we have two days, two years or twenty or thirty years ahead of us. So I guess the secret is to figure out how you would live if you knew it was the first and prepare for the last.

My parents lived into their eighties, I have every reason to believe I will too so when I look at “retirement” I think of terms of what do I want to do with the last third of my life? I spent the first third foot loose and fancy free, wandering about the country and world. The second has been focused on family and career. Now, I face the last episode and ponder the many options before me.

First point in my favor: I find it exhilarating to have been born into this age of technology. The first half of my life I meandered aimlessly finding nothing that caught my attention for more than a few months. Then, in the 80s I was introduced to the world of computers and discovered I had both an aptitude and passion for them. (By computers I am referring to personal computers… I was overwhelmed and repulsed by those monstrous room sized mainframes of the 70s.)

Second: I have spent the last 15 years working in a field that required I continually expand my skills and knowledge in that field so I am not daunted (often) by possibility of learning new things or exploring the Internet. So what lies in store?

Stay tuned… I’ll keep you posted.

PS Be sure to sign up for our newletter to receive updates on our adventures after retirement.