21 Life Lessons For An Awesome Retirement
Some of us have reached our golden years,
and some of us have not. But these suggestions should be read by
everyone. They have been collected from many a senior, each with his or
her own piece of advice. Some you may know, some may surprise you, and
some will remind you of what's important. So read well, share with your
loved ones, and have a great day and a great life!
1. It's time to use the money you saved up.
Use it and enjoy it. Don't just keep it for those who may have no notion
of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more
dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard
earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for an investment, even
if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and
worries and this is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.
2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and
grandchildren.
Don't feel bad for spending your money on yourself. You've taken care of
them for many years and you've taught them what you could. You gave
them an education, food, shelter, and support. The responsibility is now
theirs to earn their own money.
3. Keep a healthy life, without great
physical effort.
Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well, and get your
sleep. It's easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy.
That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your
medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor and get
tested even when you're feeling well. Stay informed.
4. Always buy the best, most beautiful
items for your significant other.
The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day, one of
you will miss the other, when money will not provide any comfort. So,
enjoy it together.
5. Don't stress over the little things.
You've already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and
bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don't let the past
drag you down and don't let the future frighten you. Feel good in the
now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.
6. Regardless of age, always keep love
alive.
Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor, and
remember: "A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and
affection."
7. Be proud, both inside and out.
Don't stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the
dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well
stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in,
making you feel proud and strong.
8. Don't lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your sense
of style.
There's nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current
fashion among youngsters. You've developed your own sense of what looks
good on you - keep it and be proud of it. It's part of who you are.
9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date.
Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are
saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to sign up to
a couple of social networks. You'll be surprised which old friends you
may meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you
know, is important at any age.
10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions.
They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future and
will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and
try to remind them of yesterday's wisdom that still applies today.
retirement
11. Never use the phrase: "In my time". Your time is now.
As long as you're alive, you are a part of this time. Have fun and enjoy
life.
12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter
and surly.
Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with
positive, cheerful people, it'll rub off on you and your days will seem
that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you
older and harder to be around.
13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or
grandchildren.
Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our
privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you've lost your
partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with
you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the
help or do not want to live alone.
14. Don't abandon your hobbies.
If you don't have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read,
dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards,
checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer at an NGO or
just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real
time having fun with it.
15. Even if you don't feel like it, try to accept invitations.
Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get
out of the house, meet people you haven't seen in a while, experience
something new (or something old). But don't get upset when you're not
invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be
hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go
to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.
retirement
16. Be a conversationalist.
Talk less and listen more.
Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners
are really interested. That's a great way of reducing their desire to
speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don't go off into
long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to
complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept
situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and
people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some
good things to say as well.
17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older.
Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life
we're all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not
who you are, they are something that life has added to you. If they
become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.
18. If you've been offended by someone, forgive them.
If you've offended
someone, apologize.
Don't drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad
and bitter. It doesn't matter who was right. Someone once said: "Holding
a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die."
Don't take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.
19. If you have a strong belief, savor it.
The key is not to waste your time trying to convince others. They will
make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only
bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to
your beliefs and let that memory sway them.
20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT.
Laugh at everything.
Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You've managed to have a life, a
long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full
life. But you did. So what's not to laugh about? Find the humor in your
situation.
retirement
21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of
what they might be thinking.
They'll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what
you've achieved. Let them talk and don't worry. They have no idea about
your history, your memories and the life you've lived so far. There's
still much to be written, so get busy writing and don't waste time
thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest,
at peace and as happy as you can be!
AND REMEMBER: "Life is too short to drink bad wine."