Planning for your retirement should not be all about the financial aspect of it. In fact, retirement is considered as one of life-changing events a man is expected to undergo at some point of their lives. If a senior is lucky and was able to retire earlier than expected, is in great health and not too old to have fun, he or she would be able to adjust and fit well enough to the retired life. Unfortunately, not all seniors are that lucky and like they say, seniors’ habit is the hardest to bend.
One aspect in a senior’s life that needs to be addressed when planning a retirement is the emotional aspect of it especially when living with a partner. Whether or not your partner is also undergoing this transition, it is highly recommended for the couple to sit down and talk about retirement before it actually happens since retired life is sure to affect both parties concerned. As a couple, issues must be discussed such as moving, lifestyle changes, vacations, expectations and such. Basically, it is necessary for retiring couples to consult one another before making a decision and never assume that your partner is totally okay with what you have in mind. Take for example this case:
Mimi is a sculptor. She sculpts not only for passion and fulfillment but for the good money it brings her. She managed to fulfill her duties as a wife and mother for years, at the same time do what she does best, sculpting. She observed her talent at its peak when everyone is out of the house and she’s left alone with her craft. She find silence as her best tool in sculpting. She has her own work room at the back of the house facing the river. Everything’s fine and working well until Rick decided to retire. Aside from having Rick around the house 24/7, he expects Mimi to accompany him on endless road trips now that the kids are all grown up and there’s no work to worry about. This “new” set-up definitely drives Mimi crazy and Rick is clueless why Mimi is acting strange nowadays. Sounds familiar?
The case of Mimi and Rick must be the poster child of “financially stable but emotionally unprepared for it” retirement. In Mimi’s part, she did not expect Rick to be a nuisance and had not seen it coming for if she did, she would have arranged an agreeable set-up for both of them. As you can see, sculpting is Mimi’s life and she’s nowhere near giving it up. From Rick’s point, due to many years of being work-bound, he quickly jumped into retirement plans without even consulting his wife. A major disaster indeed!
Like any other life changing event, retirement should be prepared ahead of time. It should be discussed well if you have a living partner, or any other household member for that matter, to avoid emotional stress when the big day comes. Retirement is meant to be fun, plan ahead so you avoid stress from happening.
