Many people think of retirement as a long vacation. A friend of mine says: “I failed at retirement.”
However, that’s often not the case, says retirement expert George Jerjian.
Jerjian came out of retirement at 62. He shares the biggest downside of his retirement experience, and how a Japanese concept helped him overcome it in his article on CNBC.
He describes finding himself bored in retirement. He became restless, losing his enthusiasm and energy. His mental health suffered.
This lead Jerjian to “un-retire” and launch a mindset coaching company to help people achieve a more fulfilling retirement. He now focuses on helping retirees set up new businesses, consult, volunteer and take on hobbies that bring them joy and satisfaction.
He surveyed over 15,000 retirees over the age of 60, and asked them one question: “What is your single biggest challenge in retirement?”
The results were shocking.
Retirees responded with many regrets, making statements such as:
- “I miss doing the work that I love.”
- “I don’t think retiring is for me. I want to go back to teaching.”
- “I’m not sure what to do with my time. I feel lost.”
They brought up concerns about their health, their mind, and feeling alone.
Jerjian concludes that the solution is to find purpose. He believes that finding purpose leads to a more meaningful, healthier life, and his survey responses showed that 35% believed the solution to their retirement challenges was finding purpose in life through a new skill or interest.
It’s not uncommon for people to feel a sense of aimlessness or emptiness after retiring. All of a sudden, the structure and routine that defined your days for so many years is gone, leaving you feeling lost and uncertain of what to do next.
But there’s good news: many retirees find that taking up a new skill or interest can help them rediscover a sense of purpose and enjoyment in life. Pursuing a new activity can give you a renewed sense of satisfaction and meaning.
The Japanese Concept That Saved Jerjian From a Depressing Retirement
Jergian used the Japanese concept of “ikigai” (which translates to “your reason for being”) as a way to find that perfect thing to pursue during retirement.
Here’s a diagram explaining how Ikigai sits in the middle of a bunch of different elements coming perfectly together.
How to Find Your IkigaiGeorge Jerjian | CNBC Make ItAccording to Jerjian, what you choose to persue in retirement should answer ‘yes’ to any of these questions:
- Are you doing an activity that you love?
- Are you good at it?
- Does the world need what you offer?
- Can you get paid for doing it?
Ideas to Get You Started on Finding a New Purpose in Life
If you’re feeling adrift after retirement, here are some ideas to get you started on finding a new purpose in life through a new skill or interest:
1. Learn to play an instrument
If you’ve always wanted to learn how to play an instrument, retirement is the perfect time to start. Learning a musical instrument can be challenging and rewarding, and it’s a great way to express your creativity. There are many online resources and classes available to help you get started, no matter what your level of experience.
2. Take up gardening
Gardening is a relaxing and enjoyable hobby that can provide you with a sense of achievement. It’s also a great way to get some exercise and fresh air. If you don’t have much space, you can start small with potted plants or a window box garden.
As a retiree, you may also have more time to volunteer with a local gardening club or community garden. This is a great way to meet new people and give back to your community.
3. Start a consulting or coaching business based on your expertise and knowledge
Like Jerjian, you could start a counsulting or coaching business. If you have a lot of experience and knowledge in a particular area, you can start a consulting business to share your expertise with others. This can be a great way to earn some extra income while also helping others.
As a retiree, you have a lot to offer. Don’t let retirement leave you feeling purposeless – there are many ways to find enjoyment and satisfaction in life after work. Why not start exploring some of them today?
4. Write a book or autobiography
Writing a book is a creative and challenging undertaking that can provide you with a great sense of accomplishment. An autobiography is a particularly interesting and rewarding project, as it allows you to look back on your life and reflect on your experiences.
5. Travel
Retirement is the perfect time to travel and see the world. If you’ve always wanted to visit a particular country or region, there’s no time like the present. Travel can be an enjoyable and enlightening experience, and it’s a great way to meet new people and learn about different cultures.
More Ideas
There are plenty more things you can do in retirement, we’ve made a list of 72 Things To Do In Retirement that you can check out!
Don’t forget to also take a look at our blog post about Creative and Fun Things for Retired Couples to Do.
