What do you do if you're a fashion designer facing the emotional and psychological challenges of retirement?

As you get senior in the design field ( or any other), the sense of understanding the environment gets stronger. Retirement is just a word, for one to just slow down. Otherwise, creative people never stop they keep getting better and the urge to know and try new ideas gets stronger.

I would say that today... we never retire. The whole idea of "retirement" is based on people not working anymore and "enjoying life". The truth (my truth at least) is that you never "retire" you just pivot. You can start new projects (it′s never too late), or get into consulting. Something that I always say to my students (and to myself)... "You need to monetize those gray hairs". And never think about this period as the end of a chapter but the beginning of a new unwritten one. =) -ü

According to my experience as a fashion anthropologist, companies are delaying retirement because there are fewer and fewer young people who are interested in working.

Always find something that you love and start doing it, the key is to transition smoothly from full time working to full time enjoying.

Besides, retirement frees time you will need to invest in enriching activities for your own. In the past, the focus was to develop your career, now your focus should be yourself. Stand up at a new point of view and retake your future from there. Buy those books you always wanted time to read. Get involved in activities you couldn't do previously. Visit fashion shows, friends, and family equally. Embrace this new stage in your life!

Achieving balance in retirement is essential for your emotional and psychological well-being as a fashion designer. While it's natural to fill your time with activities reminiscent of your former work, remember to enjoy the leisure you've earned. Balance creative pursuits with relaxation and self-care, engaging in hobbies without the pressure of deadlines. This equilibrium will help redefine your sense of purpose post-career, ensuring a fulfilling retirement enriched with both productivity and relaxation.

My first recommendation is to meditate: - Gain a new point of view. - Reduce the stress related to changing your lifestyle. - Find and embrace the new opportunities you'll face. - Go back to that mindset when you started your career but with all the expertise accumulated. Meditation will help you to handle several challenges you'll face. Often those challenges come from within, and balancing activities on several facets of our lives will help us to move forward.

La vida es tan corta, y de repente vuela, hay que disfrutar este espacio que la vida nos regala, y hacer las cosas que nos gustan. A esta altura no sentimos las responsabilidades del comienzo , a esta edad podemos sentirnos libres y que un tiempo precioso a utilizar.

It could be a shock...from a hectic schedule to an open agenda. So, before the time comes start prepping your transition. First of all, what do you want to do? You don`t know? Start thinking on your long postponed dreams. Go on pursuing them, if you dream of them already. Have a plan. Please that your first day off won`t be an empty day....and on, and on, and on...

Find the balance always begins with trying the other side you have been always running away from . Balance comes after trying new things as always you can reach the balance point when you naturalise the effect of both sides in every aspect in life

Motivation is a force that is born from within each person. Another thing is the stimuli that we can receive from the outside and that can, effectively, activate that motivation in a more or less internal and deep way. Motivation is about what moves each person: socialize, create, influence, organize, feel in safe and known territory, explore, etc. The mission is to discover what moves each of us. We talk about our drives, our values, our engines... And if we have done our homework, we have identified them and the time for retirement arrives, a wonderful opportunity arises to look for new spaces in which to develop those engines.

Retirement offers the ideal opportunity to reignite passions that may have been overshadowed by your fashion career. Whether it's exploring new art forms or delving into fashion history, now is the time to indulge those interests. Pursuing these passions can bring a sense of accomplishment and joy, enriching your life with experiences that complement your love for design. Remember, it's not about replacing your past work but embracing new avenues that enhance your retirement journey.

Your career may force you to drop some hobbies. Today is the day to return to them. Why do you like to design for the first time? Is painting something you like too? Maybe, you can start designing landscapes, playing music, and creating scenographies for theater performances or movies! Creativity is in your head, what to focus on depends on your passions, go and get them.

Rediscovering passions is a pivotal aspect of retirement for fashion designers. Embrace this opportunity to reignite interests that may have been overshadowed by your career pursuits. Whether it's exploring a new artistic medium or delving into fashion history, indulge in these pursuits with zeal. These endeavors offer a fresh sense of fulfillment and happiness, distinct yet complementary to your design career. It's about enriching your life with diverse experiences that celebrate your enduring love for design.

La moda, siempre sera importante para las mujeres, no creo que importe la edad si la sabes llevar, hay para todo gusto, yo en mi caso siempre he seguido un estilo que me encanta, y lo seguiré haciendo porque me siento cómoda, alegre, es lo que me gusta y lo disfruto. Además en esta etapa tenemos tiempo de lucir aun lo que queremos.

Maintaining and nurturing your professional network remains crucial even in retirement. These connections offer support, friendship, and potential collaboration opportunities on projects that inspire you. Stay engaged by attending industry events, participating in design communities, and keeping in touch with former colleagues. Remember, networking isn't solely about career advancement; it's about preserving relationships that have enriched your life throughout your career.

Staying connected and active in the community is not only rewarding but highly comforting as well! Nurturing network helps build and maintain important social connections and also helps to find like minded people with views that can be refreshing and help with self reflection. These connections can be helpful in getting through the tricky phase of retirement and also help the younger generation in the community by being the motivational voice you might’ve hoped for somebody to be for you.

As a fashion designer navigating the emotional and psychological transitions of retirement, maintaining a vibrant network is paramount. Beyond career advancement, these connections offer invaluable support, companionship, and potential collaborations on projects that ignite your passion. Stay engaged by attending industry gatherings, remaining active in design circles, and nurturing relationships with former colleagues. Networking transcends professional goals; it's about preserving the meaningful ties that have shaped your journey in the industry.

Of course is very important to maintain your contacts and get together on special occasions and trade events and shows, you never know what awaits ahead for you. But only if you want to....if you don′t and prefer a fresh start, so be it

This is something that we all should do, even if we are retired or not....giving is always better than receiving and whatever we are able to do in favor of somebody else could be a huge difference in their lives. Do it.

Volunteering your wisdom and experience in fashion design is a meaningful way to stay engaged in retirement. Teaching at local schools or leading workshops not only provides a sense of purpose but also allows you to share your wealth of knowledge with others. It's a rewarding experience that keeps you connected to the vibrancy of the fashion world, contributing to its future while honoring your legacy.

Volunteering your wisdom and expertise in fashion design is a gratifying way to stay engaged post-retirement. Whether teaching at local schools or leading workshops, you can impart your wealth of knowledge and experience to the next generation of designers. This not only offers a sense of fulfillment and continuity but also keeps you connected to the dynamic pulse of the fashion industry. By giving back, you contribute to shaping its future while leaving a lasting legacy of your own.

I strongly believe that wisdom sharing is one of the most precious acts of kindness. To impart knowledge garnered over decades of life and help the coming generations in making more informed decisions is nothing less than an act of service and not to forget, it is simply fulfilling. In this day and age wherein the world is connected via internet, it has become extremely easy to stay connected. It is baffling as to how many people in the industry are struggling to find good mentors! Retirement can be thought of as that time to volunteer and help others who are looking for, if not answers, then maybe some slight help in getting to those answers.

You are a designer, never forget that! You can create a collage to acknowledge your greatest achievements and mistakes. And reflect on how you could change the outcome next time. Congratulate you for everything and relearn from your results. You'll feel plentiful because you will not scold yourself, on the contrary, it will be an exercise in self-love. Remember, after retirement, your worst enemy is yourself (your mindset). Understanding how to accept your thoughts and get friends with them are basics for a happy life.

La moda sera bella siempre, va y vuelve, la imaginación no se acaba, al contrario, crece, porque el tiempo es mayor para pensar y no correr…pero siempre habrá una idea algo que se puede hacer, la vida no cambia de un día para otro.

Throughout a professional and life path, we encounter different phases depending on ambitions, frustrations, loans pending repayment, latent fears, successes and also failures. Surrender is, perhaps, the factor that can cause the greatest demotivation for an active professional. We refer to that moment in which the effort, enthusiasm and desire to grow fade because nothing seems to accompany us on our path. For this reason, it is important to keep certain challenges alive throughout our lives (even after retirement), to preserve the enthusiasm, motivation and desire to continue pushing until the end.