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Mind over money: Here, you’ll find a series of questions to ask yourself to help clarify if it’s finally time to make that big leap:

📌As I anticipate returning to work every Sunday night, do I look forward to finishing tasks, seeing friends and colleagues, and learning something new? Or, do I dread another week of tedious tasks and difficult people?

📌Have I thought through my financial picture? What expenses am I prepared to cut if money becomes tight?

📌How do my already-retired friends, relatives, and colleagues feel about retirement?

📌Should I consider a gradual retirement with part-time work, or is “cold turkey” better for me?

📌Do I have hobbies or interests that will fill my time? Or, is there volunteer work that I’m passionate about?

📌What friends do I have now that don’t involve my career or partner?

📌What role is my partner playing in my decision about retirement?

📌Do my partner and I have similar ideas about travel or where we want to live in retirement?

Don’t shortcut yourself: It’s convenient to take the easy way out of anything in life, but asking the hard questions can make this transition more successful in the long run.