Stuck in the Mud: Retirement Doesn't Have to Be One Big Decision
For some people, retirement comes into focus pretty easily.
They know where they want to live. They have hobbies they’re looking forward to having more time with. Maybe they want to travel, volunteer, spend more time with family, or finally tackle the projects they’ve been putting off for years.
For others, retirement can feel like the exact opposite.
There are so many possibilities that instead of feeling freeing, it can feel overwhelming.
Where should we live?
Should we travel more?
Do we want a second home?
Should we move closer to the kids?
What are we actually going to do all day?
And for couples, there’s another layer: What happens when you don’t picture retirement the same way?
One person might be ready to sell the house and travel for six months. The other might be perfectly happy staying close to home. When there are that many options, and you don’t completely agree on the answer, it can be easy to get stuck in the mud.
So you do nothing.
You Don't Have to Figure It Out All at Once
One thing we’ve noticed about clients who really seem to find their rhythm in retirement is that they usually didn’t have it all figured out on day one.
They tried things.
And sometimes, they changed their minds.
Retirement isn’t a decision you make once and then live with for the next 20 or 30 years. It’s a new phase of life, and it may take some trial and error to figure out what fits.
Sometimes you need to experience something before you know how you feel about it.
Think you might want to live somewhere else? Rent there for a month.
Think you want to travel extensively? Plan a longer trip and see how it feels.
Not sure what you’ll do with your newfound time? Try a class, volunteer, start a project, or revisit an interest you haven’t had time for.
Maybe you thought you wanted to travel constantly but realize you’re happiest with one or two big trips a year.
Trying something and deciding it isn’t for you isn’t a failed retirement plan. It’s useful information that helps you figure out what does feel right.
Give Yourself Room to Experiment
Of course, it’s easier to try things when you understand the financial impact.
That’s where ongoing financial planning can help.
We can model these different decisions, talk through the tradeoffs, and help you understand which choices are easily reversible and which deserve a little more thought.
The goal is to give you room to explore without feeling like every decision has to be permanent.
Because the retirement you imagine at 60 may not be the retirement you want at 65. Your interests, family, priorities, and circumstances will continue to change. Your financial plan should be able to change with you.
So if you’re approaching retirement and feeling a little stuck in the mud, you don’t have to figure out the perfect retirement before you get started.
Pick something. Try it. See how it feels.
Then adjust.
You don't need to know exactly what the next 20 years will look like. You just need a plan that gives you the confidence and flexibility to figure it out along the way.
Shean