What do you do if you're an interior designer facing challenges when transitioning into retirement?

2 Decide on your work status

Another important decision you'll have to make as an interior designer nearing retirement is whether you want to stop working completely, work part-time, or start a new venture. There are pros and cons to each option, depending on your personal and professional goals, preferences, and circumstances. For example, if you want to maintain your income, network, and skills, you might choose to work part-time or freelance for some of your existing or new clients. If you want to pursue a different passion, hobby, or cause, you might start a new venture that aligns with your values and interests. If you want to enjoy more freedom, flexibility, and relaxation, you might retire completely and focus on your family, friends, and hobbies.

3 Update your portfolio and resume

Whatever you decide to do with your work status, it's always a good idea to update your portfolio and resume as an interior designer before you retire. This will help you showcase your achievements, skills, and style, and attract potential clients, employers, or collaborators. You can use online platforms, such as Behance, Houzz, or Dribbble, to create and share your portfolio, and use professional templates, such as Canva, to design and format your resume. You can also use social media, such as LinkedIn, Instagram, or Facebook, to promote your work and network with other interior designers, industry experts, and potential customers.

4 Stay connected and informed

As an interior designer retiring from your full-time job, you might feel isolated or disconnected from your peers, colleagues, and clients. To avoid this, you should try to stay connected and informed with the interior design community and industry. You can do this by joining professional associations, such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), or the Interior Design Society (IDS), which offer membership benefits, such as networking events, educational resources, mentoring programs, and discounts. You can also attend webinars, workshops, conferences, or trade shows that cover the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in interior design.

6 Enjoy your retirement

Finally, the most important thing you can do as an interior designer facing retirement is to enjoy it. You've worked hard for many years, and you deserve to celebrate your accomplishments, passions, and dreams. You can do this by traveling to new places, exploring new cultures, and experiencing new things that inspire you and enrich your life. You can also spend more time with your loved ones, friends, and pets, and appreciate the moments and memories you share with them. You can also take care of your health, wellness, and happiness, by exercising, meditating, eating well, and doing things that make you feel good.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?