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How to bloom: Thriving in this chapter of life might mean you need to dig deeper to consider the non-financial aspects of retirement. As a retirement coach, past Retire With Purpose podcast guest, Robert Laura, recommends apprising yourself of the lesser-known issues that can creep up, including how you will introduce yourself to others, grief from stepping out of your career, and feelings of loneliness and resentment toward a spouse. When you transplant yourself into retirement, Robert also lists several ways to help ensure you blossom instead of wilt. They are as follows:

📌 Take time to write down what a perfect day and perfect week might look like for you: This will help reveal how much time you have to fill.

📌 Create a list of things you will gain or benefit from by moving into retirement, as well as a list of things you might lose: While there are many gains brought by retirement, you might also lose other work-related aspects you’re accustomed to, such as routine, purpose, social interaction, etc. Knowing what those losses are will help you identify ways to replace them.

📌 Take a look at your social network: If many of your social interactions were brought about through your career, seeking additional outlets to obtain human connection is key.

Purposeful planning: You can’t just float into retirement. It must be approached with intention in regard to both financial and non-financial aspects.